Montessori School.

[snoogit]

Anyone here ever go to a Montessori school, or thinking about sending their kids to one? I've been reading about them a lot lately because a friend of mine asked me if it was a good choice to send their kid to a Montessori School.

Well first thing I did was find out that legendary game designer Will Wright went to a Montessori School, and immediately I had to learn more. If thats the result, it can't be that bad. From everything I read it seems the Montessori School would be a PERFECT school for the IN*J kid.

It sounds less like the flash-card style of learning I did as a kid, and more like a "coaching" school, where the child is allowed to take a role in their education. Subjects are more like "clouds (lol: Web 2.0 reference)" where everything about that subject is explored. It made me kind of wish these schools existed when I was a kid, because MAN these places would have been like school heaven for me.

I just wonder if anyone's had experience with, or is planning on sending their kid to a Montessori School, and if so what people thought about them

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[Danisty]

I didn't go to a Montessori school, but my mom taught me with the Montessori method before I entered school. Then I had a problem with my teachers because I was ahead of everyone else. I actually had my 1st grade math teacher try to tell me that I couldn't add numbers up to ten because she hadn't taught me that yet!

[Santana28]

I didn't go to a Montessori school, but my mom taught me with the Montessori method before I entered school. Then I had a problem with my teachers because I was ahead of everyone else. I actually had my 1st grade math teacher try to tell me that I couldn't add numbers up to ten because she hadn't taught me that yet!

LOL! That is hilarious. i've had teachers like that as well.

[Jgib5328]

My cousin went to Montessori school and really liked it. You learn in really different methods and generally learn more things than other people. The bad thing is, is that you are basically sheltered from the real world for awhile. I cousin is very shy and timid, and probably has a lot of trouble surviving in his high school. The kid won't learn how to act around other people, because all of his life he'd be around the same small group of friends. I think the education is pretty good at the type of school, but the kid isn't going to learn how to deal with people effectively. I know some of you INTJs think it is perfectly fine to not have many friends or learn how to interact with others, but it is a crucial skill to develop in your life.

[Santana28]

My cousin went to Montessori school and really liked it. You learn in really different methods and generally learn more things than other people. The bad thing is, is that you are basically sheltered from the real world for awhile. I cousin is very shy and timid, and probably has a lot of trouble surviving in his high school. The kid won't learn how to act around other people, because all of his life he'd be around the same small group of friends. I think the education is pretty good at the type of school, but the kid isn't going to learn how to deal with people effectively. I know some of you INTJs think it is perfectly fine to not have many friends or learn how to interact with others, but it is a crucial skill to develop in your life.

well, i will tell you that in my case more exposure to people in a controlled setting did not teach me how to "deal effectively" with people in any way whatsoever. in fact, it was the opposite - i resisted because it was something being forced upon me. and my lack of socialization skills during my school years had absolutely ZERO effect on me since then - once i was free to determine the course of my own life, i was free to determine the people i chose to socialize and associate myself with, and i do pretty well i think. High school IS NOT "the real world" and forced socialization in high school will not teach these skills in the real world unless you are naturally a social person who can naturally take advantage of such exposure. you can't make an "I" and "E".

[Jgib5328]

Well I of course don't mean high school is the real world, but it is related to being forced to deal with people when you are older. Usually you don't get to interact with everyone you want and have to learn how to deal with people that you wouldn't normally deal with. I mean you are going to be forced to be around people for the most part. You can't really learn how to develop very effective communication skills if you are sheltered your whole life, that is my only argument. You need to be exposed to people to develop that skill.

[Santana28]

Well I of course don't mean high school is the real world, but it is related to being forced to deal with people when you are older. Usually you don't get to interact with everyone you want and have to learn how to deal with people that you wouldn't normally deal with. I mean you are going to be forced to be around people for the most part. You can't really learn how to develop very effective communication skills if you are sheltered your whole life, that is my only argument. You need to be exposed to people to develop that skill.

i agree that if you are "sheltered" your whole life you wont learn effective communication skills - and a school environment is "sheltered" and accomplishing exactly that. i learned nothing in a school environment because it was a managed, controlled setting where teachers were expected to act one way, and students another, etc etc. no one was free to truly be their "real" self or make "real" decisions, and instead they learned to cope in this managed system which cannot be applied to the "real world" lessons you get afterwards.

i'm just saying that school is "sheltered" every bit as much as say, home-schooling - just in a different way. there really is no replacement for the real world. i, personally, would have learned much more about myself in an isolated environment such as home-schooling or tutoring vs. conventional school due to the fact that i would have more time to spend thinking and analyzing why i do things vs. the ungodly amount of time i spent just trying to cope and function in an irrational system which did not mirror the real world.

[Jgib5328]

i agree that if you are "sheltered" your whole life you wont learn effective communication skills - and a school environment is "sheltered" and accomplishing exactly that. i learned nothing in a school environment because it was a managed, controlled setting where teachers were expected to act one way, and students another, etc etc. no one was free to truly be their "real" self or make "real" decisions, and instead they learned to cope in this managed system which cannot be applied to the "real world" lessons you get afterwards.

i'm just saying that school is "sheltered" every bit as much as say, home-schooling - just in a different way. there really is no replacement for the real world. i, personally, would have learned much more about myself in an isolated environment such as home-schooling or tutoring vs. conventional school due to the fact that i would have more time to spend thinking and analyzing why i do things vs. the ungodly amount of time i spent just trying to cope and function in an irrational system which did not mirror the real world.

Yeah that's a good point, although I think homeschooling is a little more sheltered than the other choices. In Montessori school you are sheltered socially, in High School or 'real school' you are sheltered educationally, and in home school you are kinda sheltered in both. But you are right none of these replace the real world.

[robin.]

I didn't go to a Montessori school, but my mom taught me with the Montessori method before I entered school. Then I had a problem with my teachers because I was ahead of everyone else. I actually had my 1st grade math teacher try to tell me that I couldn't add numbers up to ten because she hadn't taught me that yet!Hahaha wow! I had almost the exact same experience!

I went to a Montessori school, and I liked it for the most part, but some of my teachers were too controlling. I remember one woman that I really loved, though. When I got into kindergarten, I had probably the WORST teacher for any kid, especially for an IxTJ or anyone else who asks questions and tries to explore knowledge on their own. I can't begin to count the number of times I asked her a question and received "Because I said so." as the answer. That lady was rigid. NO room for exceptional students with her.

One particular instance I had that sounds like the one Danisty mentioned took place when we were reading the date. It was October 8th, and we had to count up to the date: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. I remember realizing (before we counted) that 4 + 4 was 8 (and this was big for me because I sucked--and still suck--at math haha). So, I counted out loud: 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4. I was told to go sit at my desk and put my head on the table (that was the punishment for doing something bad).

I'm very lucky that I had a wonderful mother who NEVER thought that "Because I said so" was an acceptable answer, and who always tried to answer me logically like an adult. I was put into the gifted program in 1st grade, so that definitely helped. I was also the first one put in the program, and I think that Montessori (and my mom) had a lot to do with that. I don't think that they made me any smarter (and I don't think I'm particularly smart to begin with), but they definitely caused me to develop much faster than my peers, at least mentally.



Edit: Oh, and I don't think that Montessori school impeded my social skills, (although they really are pathetic). If anything, it helped them, because I related to some of the kids there, while it was very difficult adjusting to the public school system (which I brought upon myself--my mom wanted to send me to a private school but I wanted to go to a public school since some of my friends were going, so my mom let me go where I wanted).

[karen]

I think montessori schools are one of hte best educational options in the US today. Public schools are a fine idea, except that they are used as a free baby-sitting service for 5-18 year olds. Private schools are a more expensive, slightly prettier version. In my opinion, general education should end at about 12 years old and specialization should begin after that. Why waste a kid's time with the napoleonic wars when they want to be a mechanic; why teach predicates and gerungs to a kid who wants to be an economist? Its a waste of time. Montessori schools at least take interest into consideration.

[Danisty]

One particular instance I had that sounds like the one Danisty mentioned took place when we were reading the date. It was October 8th, and we had to count up to the date: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. I remember realizing (before we counted) that 4 + 4 was 8 (and this was big for me because I sucked--and still suck--at math haha). So, I counted out loud: 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4. I was told to go sit at my desk and put my head on the table (that was the punishment for doing something bad).Oh that drives me nuts! Why is having a wrong answer bad and deserving of punishment?

[Jgib5328]

I think montessori schools are one of hte best educational options in the US today. Public schools are a fine idea, except that they are used as a free baby-sitting service for 5-18 year olds. Private schools are a more expensive, slightly prettier version. In my opinion, general education should end at about 12 years old and specialization should begin after that. Why waste a kid's time with the napoleonic wars when they want to be a mechanic; why teach predicates and gerungs to a kid who wants to be an economist? Its a waste of time. Montessori schools at least take interest into consideration.

Sorry, that's a terrible idea. Starting specialization at the age of 12. Can kids really know what they want to do when they grow up? Most college kids don't even know. When I was 12 I wanted to be a firefighter, then I decided I wanted to be a lawyer, then at 13 I wanted to play professional football, after that a being a psychologist sounded nice... Get it? I know the educational system is flawed, but it isn't that bad, you should be responsible for getting your own education anyways and make the most of what is given to you.

Also getting basic knowledge is really important. Even if you want to specialize in math, you should at least have some English skills (writing and reading) and vice versa, you can't just be a completely unbalanced mathematician. I kind of like how in high school they teach you a bunch of different things at first, it isn't useless and it is important. Knowing about specific historical events isn't crucial, but knowing how to read effectively is, even if you want to go into heavily math based future.

[OneBadMother]

My best friend, an INFP, went to Montessori school for a long period of her childhood. It suited her learning style excellently. Of course, once she went to public school, she got good grades, but was absolutely miserable.

[Zilal]

Sorry, that's a terrible idea. Starting specialization at the age of 12. Can kids really know what they want to do when they grow up? Most college kids don't even know.

All the choice we have now is really a modern thing, and we're very used to it and tend to want to hold onto it, but it isn't necessarily the best thing for us. In fact it tends to breed a lot of jumping around, and I'd hazard the opinion that all this choice is actually part of why most college kids don't even know what they want to do. Sticking with something--anything--and going deeply into it is how you find out who you are and what you want, and in our culture we just don't do that much.

That isn't to say I think kids should be made to decide what they're going to study for the next 10 years when they're 12. But I don't think it'd be a bad thing to have them decide on a "concentration" they'll do extra work in for the next 4 years or whatever.

[coffeeloverfreak]

Sorry, that's a terrible idea. Starting specialization at the age of 12. Can kids really know what they want to do when they grow up? Most college kids don't even know. When I was 12 I wanted to be a firefighter, then I decided I wanted to be a lawyer, then at 13 I wanted to play professional football, after that a being a psychologist sounded nice... Get it? I know the educational system is flawed, but it isn't that bad, you should be responsible for getting your own education anyways and make the most of what is given to you.

Also getting basic knowledge is really important. Even if you want to specialize in math, you should at least have some English skills (writing and reading) and vice versa, you can't just be a completely unbalanced mathematician. I kind of like how in high school they teach you a bunch of different things at first, it isn't useless and it is important. Knowing about specific historical events isn't crucial, but knowing how to read effectively is, even if you want to go into heavily math based future.

Agreed. As a society we're overspecialized already. Most kids don't know what they want to do with the rest of their lives even by university, and forcing them to "pick a major" is already harmful enough. Most of the time, choosing an area of specialization doesn't have the effect of teaching kids more about one subject, but only of shutting them off from everything else. "Oh, I don't have to know about that stuff, I'm in science, we don't need to study sales techniques". Yeah, but news flash: when you apply for a grant, or try to sell your ideas to a company, you'll need those skills.

What we need are more well-rounded individuals with broader educational bases, and people who aren't afraid of things that are "not their subject". We need people willing to explore ideas, not people who shut their minds down when they hear someone talking about a different subject.

I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to make colleges go back to providing liberal arts educations for all, especially at the undergraduate level. Ask most companies: a liberal arts grad who knows how to think makes a better employee than a specialization grad who can only do tasks by rote, any day.

(Note: I have a business degree, not a liberal arts degree. But if I had to do it over, I might make different choices.)

[daisy53]

One of my sons went to a Montessori preschool and then to public schools. He is now a very successful engineer. I give partial credit to the Montessori preschool for his logical, organized thought process and his wonderful curiosity about how things work. He went into public schools ahead of most of his peers, even though he was younger. He had wonderful, very caring teachers.

[MintNut]

I was in Montessori school and remember it very fondly; when I finally entered public school I was well ahead of my classmates. I'm not sure if it's still the case, but the teacher-student ratio at my school was excellent - almost individual attention.

[PortInStorm]

Sorry, but being homeschooled or being in private school in no way "proves" that any resulting shyness is a direct result of that type of schooling. That's just a sore spot with me- it's not an empirically sound statement. There are so many other confounding factors to shyness/lack of social skill etc.

[Jgib5328]

Sorry, but being homeschooled or being in private school in no way "proves" that any resulting shyness is a direct result of that type of schooling. That's just a sore spot with me- it's not an empirically sound statement. There are so many other confounding factors to shyness/lack of social skill etc.

I said nothing about private school and how wouldn't homeschooling affect you socially? You are either taught at home by your parents or with a small group of kids. Obviously there are other factors that could help you socially like if you play soccer or are in a community play that'd help you become more social, but honestly, staying at home all day being around a few people will not help you learn social skills. Maybe you were different, but that doesn't mean everyone is like that. A lot of homeschooled kids I have met have been socially awkward.

[deicruxified]

if i had the choice, i would want to go there. i spent 13 years of my life in an international catholic school and learned nothing aside from "bible" "religion"... "jesus" "jesus" and more "jesus"... we were ruled by franciscans T-T but then when it comes to english profinciency (i'm asian in an asian country), we excel since we're i.s. but then the downside, i find it had writing grammatically correct compositions using our native language... :(

well, religion is not that bad but if you hear it over and over... agghh...

montessori's great. i just don't know why mom never sent me there when it's nearer our house compared to the franciscan school

[Santana28]

if you play soccer or are in a community play that'd help you become more social, but honestly, staying at home all day being around a few people will not help you learn social skills.

close proximity to a large quantity of people will not teach you "social skills" any more than close proximity to one or two people will. i think you are confusing group-interaction with social skills. and frankly, if the subject in question is an introvert with no passion or desire to interact with people on a casual or social basis due to their personality - then nothing is going to "make" them enjoy it, or "teach" them to communicate effectively in and amongst groups.

we learn our "social skills" by the interactions we have with whoever raised us, and our close acquaintances. we learn how to interact in groups by being in groups, and having the opportunity to interact and hone our skills - but if we don't have any passion at all for it in the first place, merely being in group situations won't change that. it all boils down to personality.

i wouldn't force an introverted kid into group interaction any more than i would force an extremely socially-oriented kid to stay home. both are counter-productive.





Santana28 added to this post, 0 minutes and 47 seconds later...

if i had the choice, i would want to go there. i spent 13 years of my life in an international catholic school and learned nothing aside from "bible" "religion"... "jesus" "jesus" and more "jesus"... we were ruled by franciscans T-T but then when it comes to english profinciency (i'm asian in an asian country), we excel since we're i.s. but then the downside, i find it had writing grammatically correct compositions using our native language... :(

well, religion is not that bad but if you hear it over and over... agghh...

montessori's great. i just don't know why mom never sent me there when it's nearer our house compared to the franciscan school

you write better than 98% of american students so don't feel bad ;)

[douleur]

Has anyone heard about Waldorf schools, too? I don't know Montessori but always heard excelent things about it. I also hear good things about Waldorf schools, they teach children to become "human", "human adults". I'm very curious about it because what I see in some communities in internet is those children complaining about the fact that their parents put them in Waldorf school. They learnt a lot of nice things but they feel they lived in a different world. When they make friends out of the school they always feel the difference. Others love the different education they had. Some companies realy would like to have them as workers and their education is a special point. Of course a hard-capitalist company would not want them.

First I guess it would be fine to read from you which social skills are so important. I've studied all my life in a private school and was always shy in the classroom. At home I was a "normal" person. Nowadays I'm really used to my introverted way of being and not feeling guilty and inferior because of it. I know that people who know lots of people, millions of contacts may have facilities that I don't have but I'm not sure if I must learn all their "social skills" because I'm looking for different things.

I also don't think high school is "real life". I mean... it is, just like me inside my bedroom. But it's not the law that rules the world. (Thanks God or any other spiritual creature, could you imagine life only as high school? It would be hell for me.) Everything is real life. We have many different realities inside the world. Being successfull in your life is the reality accepted by our group, our nation. I'm not sure if that means I'll be lost if I don't follow those steps. I'm not sure if a child that is raised to be more "human" will be lost in the "real world".

And social skills... which ones?
I have a feeling that most part of people don't have the so called necessary skills for life. People look for answers in magazines. They type in Google. Some few have the ability to learn by themselves things that really make a difference. Few know how to deal with love, with friendship, with jobs... of course we're always learning but I don't think you'll learn that in high school more than you would learn at home, reading books, mags, listening to songs, hearing stories etc...

[King K]

I went to a Montessori school for six years (preschool - elementary school), while I was in there I really developed myself and used to be a real nerd, I was ahead of the class most of the times, unfortunately, I had to leave because I changed home, and the school was too far from there, I entered to a school for spoiled kids in which grades are the only important thing (I never cared about grades), that was when my life got ruined.

Montessori schools are great.

[deicruxified]

you write better than 98% of american students so don't feel bad ;)

lolz... thanks :)