Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
We have vpk, voluntary prek. Their requirement is kid has to 4 before september. And its free 3 hrs only in public school and day care. Public schools have lottery system pick 34 kids if my daughter name get selected then she will go to public school for 3 hrs either morning or afternoon. If not selected in lottery then day care for 3 hrs. After prek kindergarten. Of coursewe have pvt there u have to pay.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
Oh this thread is still on!
I like the way Lusi has explained the Montessori system and I appreciate the philosophy behind it all. My only problem is that I don't see any difference in my kids who went to private preschools and now a good public school, and Montessori educated kids in our area. They are all on the same page. So I just can't seem to find a justification to spend all that $$$.
A few negatives I observed in the Montessori my friends kids go to:
1. There's a no pressure approach...kids learn at their own pace for the most part. I think every child needs a challenge. Sometimes you need to push them or they get too comfortable. But then I'm not a product of that system and it IS a successful system. Just because I don't think it is not my cup of tea doesn't mean it doesn't work.
2. I've met Noor, Muzna's kid, and she's an adorable and down to earth kid, mashaAllah...but the credit goes to Muzna and her husband I'd like to believe. The 2 kids I know here are very "status" conscious at a very young age. One 5 year old even told my 5 year old daughter that his school is better because his mom pays a lot of money for his education while my daughter's school is a public school so it sucks and that they don't teach anything at public school. LOL!
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
^ As a parent, you are expected to have a biased opinion. I am not saying that your daughters are not all that and more but every parents thinks that way.
Good schooling, be it public or private is expensive. School district with top scores are much sought after and rents/mortgages are much higher in those areas than in areas with not so good school district. Private schooling ranks better because parents are spending big bucks and have high expectation from the school. More money means more resources for the school and children.
I think it is important for parents to throughly research the preschool they are planning to sending their kids to, private or public. You need to know what is the philosophy of the preschool. Montessori is one approach but there are many other good approaches towards children curriculum. Reggio Emilia’s emergent curriculum is a very comprehensive educational philosophy for primary education. Many state funded preschools are adopting this approach and it is becoming part of teacher’s training and certificate courses.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
I agree that some children need a push and that is where the teacher needs to work her magic... how is she going to move that child towards more challenging activities.
As a parents, you have to see what system works best for your child. We have had children for whom our classroom environment was too stimulating, challenging at times as they were very competitive and had difficult time working their way up. We have actually suggested those parents to look into a different setting that can better cater the needs of their child. I work for public Montessori school and seen children from a wide range of backgrounds in my classroom, for some it is the best fit, the children have nourished and grown beyond our expectations, while there are others, we wish their parents can see that this environment is not for them. I would say when choosing a school, go with an open mind, weight the pros and cons, if you like it, go for it, if you see things are not working for your child, move your child. Hopefully, this experience will help you learn a lot about your child.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
I wish I could take the credit for Noor, Niksik…I try hard…and even my bhabhis tell me that I am very strict and vigilant…but she spends so much time in her school that I have no choice but to give her teachers credit. I’m sure that there is a certain amount of credit that needs to go to nature as well.
There are several Montessori schools in my area…and I made sure to short list and then visit and evaluate many of them. I chose the one I did for a few reasons and I’m glad that I did. I found that the teachers were very much focused on ensuring that the child got the most out of the time that they spent there.
I don’t know if I agree with the “no-pressure” approach assessment for Montessori. The kids are still expected to learn certain concepts by predetermined milestones. Maybe this is something that you found in your locale? I have found that the Montessori method allowed Noor to be constantly challenged. She was never restricted by the curriculum or what her peers were doing. She was able to forge ahead because her teacher constantly pushed her.
You have seen Noor and so have many others that post here. I don’t find her to have a “snobby” or “status-conscious” attitude but I’m her mother so I will leave that for others to comment on. She knows that mama works hard to keep her in private school because we want her to have a strong foundation in basic skills so that her future studies will be easier for her. She knows that the time she spends in her school is extremely valuable and that she is privileged to be there.
I’ve also noticed a distinct difference in the general development of children from Noor’s environment/school to others. Children in Noor’s school are so well-mannered…they are versed in little things like how to approach someone that they are not acquainted with, how to say hello and good-bye properly, table manners, looking after those that are younger than them, respecting those that are older than them. I don’t see this in the other kids in our social circle that go to public or even Islamic schools.
bebo is right…good schooling comes at a cost…not in just the fees that you pay to the school but in the form of rent/mortgage, taxes and the time that you spend.
I don’t know yet if I am doing the right thing…but when I see the results in my child I am encouraged. I drive a very old car and I live in a relatively small space in a half-decent neighbourhood. I compromise on vacations and always look for bargains. I pass up events that would otherwise be a no-brainer to attend just so that I can spend on her education. I can’t imagine a better way to waste my money…if that is in fact what I am doing. 
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
What are the things to look for when you visit a pre-school or montessori for the first time?
What are those various factors that should be taken into account?
Can anyone tell what is the exact difference between a 'montessori' and a 'Montessori magnet school'?
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
A magnet school simply means a public school with special curriculum. It can be Montessori focused, science focused, spanish immersion, arts, etc.
I think you should look for over all environment of the class, teacher child interaction, child to child interaction, kinds of activities taking place in the classroom. Ask the teacher purpose of those activities for the child, behavior management, etc.
So if you are in a montessori classroom and a child is working on a pouring or table washing activity, ask the teacher what is the purpose, what is the child learning from it, how will it help the child in other activities.
If you are in some other environment and the child is playing with block, ask the same questions...purpose, what is the child learning from it, how the activity is connected with other activities or will help the child in other activities.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
hehe i was just rebrowsing this thread wondering whether to revive it :p
:D
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
So much to say...if only I wasnt busy planning lessons and resources for lovely Ofsted on Wednesday!
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
Milly....we will still be here after the Ofsted......we'll wait for your input.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
Cross yer fingers im still here after Ofsted!
Although reading back, I think I pretty stand by what I said earlier.
The thing with teaching is, as im sure is with running any organisation/business, there is no clear cut 'This is the way to do it' approach. Every approach has it's pros and cons. I've learnt that pedagogy is quite idiosyncratic for every teacher, pupil and child. It's what works best and truth be told, you're not really going to see the long term effects of what works best until the child is out of school and joining the world that is adulthood, the real world, where all those time word problems become a reality and not just a 'how did you find the answer out?'
For me, the short term effects are enjoyment and achievement, not for all aspects of the curriculum, but for the ones that are important and make a difference to the child and I don’t measure achievement by A grades, I measure it by, has the child achieved to their potential. Being a clever child doesnt mean that child is a good learner. Whenever I have the higher able group in my phonics rotation, they think they dont need to learn as they know it all. Its quite frustrating for me and them as they cant see that there is always going to be more to learn. They just enjoy the 'clever' label, challenge them with a question and its all 'who wet their knickers first' :D
I do still believe that parents make a huge different to their child’s education, working with schools, not against them. A teacher can't build upon skills, attitudes or behaviours unless the foundations are present and solid. I can't actually change the mindset of a child who believes he cant achieve when his mother molly coddles him and tells him he's a baby - she literally picks up him and carries him home. Anything iv told him goes well and truely out of the window.
Right, back to planning phonics! JOY!
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
We have had children for whom our classroom environment was too stimulating, challenging at times as they were very competitive and had difficult time working their way up. We have actually suggested those parents to look into a different setting that can better cater the needs of their child.
I work for public Montessori school and seen children from a wide range of backgrounds in my classroom, for some it is the best fit, the children have nourished and grown beyond our expectations, while there are others, *we wish their parents can see that this environment is not for them. *
Just wondering, how do the parents react when you tell them this? I imagine no matter how you convey that message, there are some that would still take offense to it due to ego/being status conscious?
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
I don't even know if what I wrote makes sense. I've read it twice now and all I get is 'why have you typed so much Milly!'
Oh dear :/
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
^ it makes complete sense Milly!
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
it does make sense......there is no substitute for the environment that kids get at home.....no amount of work a teacher can do will over-turn or over-ride the mindset that the child develops at home......
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
all said and done, "montessori" still is a funnay sounding word. its like naming your kid poopie.
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
^ 
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
Queer's right, I cannit even pronouce it, even when I do use my phonics sounds :/
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
you can't pronounce "Montessori"?
Re: Pre-School VS Montessori
I always hear it in my head with a Canadian accent (ending with the Canadian way of saying "sorry").