To Montessori….or not to Montessori
- At February 04, 2016
- By CGMontessori
- In CGM BLOG
- 0
2016, can you believe it? We have started a new year. My mom always said it would go by fast, I now am starting to believe her. I will have a freshman in High school coming this August, and I just cannot believe that.
We are all starting to think about our children’s educational future this month, it’s that time of year. Wanted to touch on this subject, as it is on our all our minds. Speaking of my freshman, I did what some of you do. Pulled him out, before his Montessori kindergarten year, despite that I was advised he should stay another year. I did it for a few reasons, the school he attended did not have first grade. It was over after kindergarten, so why wait? Seemed like a better time to transition. I was anxious for a little bit of kid-free time, and wanted to enroll his little brother ASAP, and do the grocery shopping ALONE. I later regretted this decision.
My son was advanced in some areas in his kindergarten class, due to his Montessori schooling. He would get bored with learning colors and numbers. He continued to struggle in first grade. Just little things. I would hear “He’s’ just being a boy.” Or “He just doesn’t like to read”. “He’s not a good test taker.” By the end of second grade, I knew we were in trouble. His behavior was erratic and moody, his grades where slipping, and he cried often, saying he hated school….this was the SECOND grade. I feel I should mention he was diagnosed with ADHD, but I’m not so sure that all of this was because of that diagnoses. I have the “What ifs”. What if I would have kept him in that 3rd critical year? What if he experienced being a leader, and have that important role in the classroom? Helping the littles, gaining that confidence that he IS smart and he CAN do this? He would have gained the sympathy and love of caring for the children in the room. The importance of self-worth, and learning that the world is MUCH bigger than he is.
Knowing Montessori was right for him, we went back. I begged Ms. Melissa to take him, as he would be her only 3rd grade student. We had to take a few steps back. Learn the materials again, and try to gain that confidence that he CAN do it, as well as review some first and second grade materials. It was a struggle, for all involved, but I feel that Leo really benefited from the return to Montessori. He now is a much happier, confident child that is getting A’s and B’s. He seems to be well rounded, socially, and pretty comfortable in his own skin. Not falling to peer pressure, and confident he can and will make the right decisions. What if we never went back to Montessori?? What if we never left??
I know my story isn’t like everyone else’s. We are all on our own education journey, being an advocate for what is best for our child and their educational future. Just promise me you will do your own research, and thought process on when or if to take your child out of their Montessori journey. That third year, and beyond can make such a difference in your child life. Not just for their education, for their social and emotional development as well.
Marie Montessori states in one of her lectures from London in 1946 “At around age 6-7 years of age, another social organization begins: an easy adaptation to the social environment. The school is a society, and the children, in their three-year age groups, form a cohesive group. If the child has freedom of development at this age, the results will be seen in adulthood. When the child is 7 and older, another kind of social organization begins. This organization is an external one with a leader….they like to have a leader to organize their activities.”
Evidence from various Montessori alumni communities state that surprising numbers of Montessori alumni are being accepted at, and receiving scholarships from, a wide range of colleges and universities. High schools report that students with Montessori backgrounds consistently thrive in high school and excel in their college application acceptance rate. And colleges are showing consistent, clear interest in Montessori-educated applicants. This is happening for the simple reason that Montessori- educated applicants don’t look or sound like everyone else. They sound like themselves-like young people who know who they are, what they want, and how to achieve their goals.
I believe it is well worth it to pay the money now for a solid Montessori education: Not only will you see your child become a highly resourceful person, but you will also see them win awards and scholarships and in the end, you will benefit from them becoming well-rounded, respectable citizens of our world.
That is my hope. I’ll let you know how my oldest turns out, but we seem to be on the right path.
But don’t take my word for it. Below are some resources you should check out, uphold your promise to do the research for yourself =)
https://youtu.be/pKEPo7sFUSQ – This video was filmed at Secret Garden Montessori in Frenchtown, NJ by a young adult filmmaker who was himself a Montessori student through 6th grade! It provides a great overview of the unique Montessori approach and the importance of our three year cycle.
https://youtu.be/2M_TtSE4W-U – At age 5, your child is eligible for public school Kindergarten. But should you enroll her? This video provides an overview of the many differences between the third year in a Montessori primary classroom and traditional Kindergarten. We created it so you can make the best possible decision on whether to keep your child in Montessori for the critical 3rd year, or move her on to another school.
http://montessorirocks.org/how-montessori-prepared-me-for-college/ – One student blogs about how Montessori helped her prepare for college.
http://montessorirocks.org/ – Overall great blog about Montessori.