Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Anna
[email protected]
I have triplet boys who will be three in June and I'm planning to unschool,
so joined this list just to read. My biggest concern right now is whether we
need to pay big bucks to a Montessori preschool for them to settle down and
allow each other to "do their own thing". So many bad habits are simply
outgrown. I'd like to know whether this one will be to! I'm leaning towards
at least waiting a year until they are four and reevaluating. I did post a
couple weeks ago asking if anyone had any negative Montessori experiences re
later unschooling, but I guess noone has, because got no feed back. Like I
said, I'll be interested in your posts!
so joined this list just to read. My biggest concern right now is whether we
need to pay big bucks to a Montessori preschool for them to settle down and
allow each other to "do their own thing". So many bad habits are simply
outgrown. I'd like to know whether this one will be to! I'm leaning towards
at least waiting a year until they are four and reevaluating. I did post a
couple weeks ago asking if anyone had any negative Montessori experiences re
later unschooling, but I guess noone has, because got no feed back. Like I
said, I'll be interested in your posts!
Nancy from MI
Welcome, Anna. The only thing I can say about Montessori is this ...
When my children were very small, I went to an introductory meeting at
the local Montessori school. The director said:
"The children carry mats [small carpets samples, they were!] around
with them and when they approach another child to play, they must say,
'can I play with you?' and the other child must say, 'yes, you may'
BEFORE they are allowed put their mat down next to the child. While
they are playing on the floor, they must stay on the mat. They are not
allowed to sit on the floor without sitting on their mat."
I was flabbergasted and ran for the door as quickly as possible and
never looked back. It sends shivers up and down my spine to think
about it today ...
~Nancy
When my children were very small, I went to an introductory meeting at
the local Montessori school. The director said:
"The children carry mats [small carpets samples, they were!] around
with them and when they approach another child to play, they must say,
'can I play with you?' and the other child must say, 'yes, you may'
BEFORE they are allowed put their mat down next to the child. While
they are playing on the floor, they must stay on the mat. They are not
allowed to sit on the floor without sitting on their mat."
I was flabbergasted and ran for the door as quickly as possible and
never looked back. It sends shivers up and down my spine to think
about it today ...
~Nancy
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., GeorganneD@a... wrote:
> I have triplet boys who will be three in June and I'm planning to
unschool,
> so joined this list just to read. My biggest concern right now is
whether we
> need to pay big bucks to a Montessori preschool for them to settle
down and
> allow each other to "do their own thing". So many bad habits are
simply
> outgrown. I'd like to know whether this one will be to! I'm
leaning towards
> at least waiting a year until they are four and reevaluating. I did
post a
> couple weeks ago asking if anyone had any negative Montessori
experiences re
> later unschooling, but I guess noone has, because got no feed back.
Like I
> said, I'll be interested in your posts!
Tammy Graves
I have not had my girls go to a montessori school, but I did know a few others
that did. One family had 2 boys. The first boy survived a year but then hated it
so much that his parents took him out. Their second child loved it and wished to
stay. I know another family with a young boy that was looking into it, but
chose not to because it was too restrictive as well. Not sure if this helps or
not.
that did. One family had 2 boys. The first boy survived a year but then hated it
so much that his parents took him out. Their second child loved it and wished to
stay. I know another family with a young boy that was looking into it, but
chose not to because it was too restrictive as well. Not sure if this helps or
not.
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/11/01 6:18:55 PM, GeorganneD@... writes:
<< My biggest concern right now is whether we
need to pay big bucks to a Montessori preschool for them to settle down and
allow each other to "do their own thing". So many bad habits are simply
outgrown. >>
Does Montessori specialize in multiples? (I doubt it.)
I wouldn't pay big bucks to ANYONE if you were planning to homeschool and
especially if you're interested in unschooling. Every school experience
(even Montessori) has to be undone for unschooling to be successful, in my
experience.
My kids never went to Montessori. One of their friends did, and it was
school to the max for him, because his difficulties with school had to do
with his wanting to be alone more and work slowly, but at Montessori, it was
"Cooperate!" "Finish task!" "Smile!" and that direction (not just of
activity, but of attitude) was oppressive for him.
So this is indirect, as to Montessori specifics.
I shared custody, at a young age, of two kids who were driven to another town
daily for Montessori (I usually didn't have to do the driving) and they
weren't crazy about it. They seemed relieved when I asked if they wouldn't
just like to go to the local public school instead. (Don't I wish I'd been
willing/able/aware enough to homeschool then!!!)
I see benefits of my own children's total lack of school.
Sandra
<< My biggest concern right now is whether we
need to pay big bucks to a Montessori preschool for them to settle down and
allow each other to "do their own thing". So many bad habits are simply
outgrown. >>
Does Montessori specialize in multiples? (I doubt it.)
I wouldn't pay big bucks to ANYONE if you were planning to homeschool and
especially if you're interested in unschooling. Every school experience
(even Montessori) has to be undone for unschooling to be successful, in my
experience.
My kids never went to Montessori. One of their friends did, and it was
school to the max for him, because his difficulties with school had to do
with his wanting to be alone more and work slowly, but at Montessori, it was
"Cooperate!" "Finish task!" "Smile!" and that direction (not just of
activity, but of attitude) was oppressive for him.
So this is indirect, as to Montessori specifics.
I shared custody, at a young age, of two kids who were driven to another town
daily for Montessori (I usually didn't have to do the driving) and they
weren't crazy about it. They seemed relieved when I asked if they wouldn't
just like to go to the local public school instead. (Don't I wish I'd been
willing/able/aware enough to homeschool then!!!)
I see benefits of my own children's total lack of school.
Sandra
Tracy Oldfield
My kids never went to Montessori. One of their friends
did, and it was
school to the max for him, because his difficulties
with school had to do
with his wanting to be alone more and work slowly, but
at Montessori, it was
"Cooperate!" "Finish task!" "Smile!" and that
direction (not just of
activity, but of attitude) was oppressive for him.
So this is indirect, as to Montessori specifics.
I shared custody, at a young age, of two kids who were
driven to another town
daily for Montessori (I usually didn't have to do the
driving) and they
weren't crazy about it. They seemed relieved when I
asked if they wouldn't
just like to go to the local public school instead.
(Don't I wish I'd been
willing/able/aware enough to homeschool then!!!)
I see benefits of my own children's total lack of
school.
Sandra
You know, this is not the impression I have of Montessori, maybe
it's been interpreted differently in the US to over here. I though
the point was to keep things child-size but 'real' so you might have
smaller pots and pans and brushes and stuff... But I never
thought there was pressure either in time or to 'perform' in a
certain way, apart from a general expectation of fair-play and co-
operation (this seems to be the one thing 'taught' from what I
know) with everyone else. I haven't read any of MM's work, nor
have I seen a Montessori school, but I've seen different bits and
bobs in different books, particularly to do with running community
preschools (playgroups in the UK, I believe this is a slightly
different thing 'over there.') I just can't see that MM would be
happy to see her name used for something so coercive!
Tracy
did, and it was
school to the max for him, because his difficulties
with school had to do
with his wanting to be alone more and work slowly, but
at Montessori, it was
"Cooperate!" "Finish task!" "Smile!" and that
direction (not just of
activity, but of attitude) was oppressive for him.
So this is indirect, as to Montessori specifics.
I shared custody, at a young age, of two kids who were
driven to another town
daily for Montessori (I usually didn't have to do the
driving) and they
weren't crazy about it. They seemed relieved when I
asked if they wouldn't
just like to go to the local public school instead.
(Don't I wish I'd been
willing/able/aware enough to homeschool then!!!)
I see benefits of my own children's total lack of
school.
Sandra
You know, this is not the impression I have of Montessori, maybe
it's been interpreted differently in the US to over here. I though
the point was to keep things child-size but 'real' so you might have
smaller pots and pans and brushes and stuff... But I never
thought there was pressure either in time or to 'perform' in a
certain way, apart from a general expectation of fair-play and co-
operation (this seems to be the one thing 'taught' from what I
know) with everyone else. I haven't read any of MM's work, nor
have I seen a Montessori school, but I've seen different bits and
bobs in different books, particularly to do with running community
preschools (playgroups in the UK, I believe this is a slightly
different thing 'over there.') I just can't see that MM would be
happy to see her name used for something so coercive!
Tracy
[email protected]
<<You know, this is not the impression I have of Montessori, maybe
it's been interpreted differently in the US to over here. I though
the point was to keep things child-size but 'real' so you might have
smaller pots and pans and brushes and stuff... But I never
thought there was pressure either in time or to 'perform' in a
certain way, apart from a general expectation of fair-play and co-
operation (this seems to be the one thing 'taught' from what I
know) with everyone else. I haven't read any of MM's work, nor
have I seen a Montessori school, but I've seen different bits and
bobs in different books, particularly to do with running community
preschools (playgroups in the UK, I believe this is a slightly
different thing 'over there.') I just can't see that MM would be
happy to see her name used for something so coercive!
Tracy>>
A friend of mine worked in a Montessori school and trained to be a
teacher. She told me that many of the schools are not TRUE Montessori.
The theory is supposed to be very unschoolish but the majority she has
seen, including the one she worked in, are basically just pre-schools
with very little resemblance to anything Montessori.
She advised me to tell anyone considering a Montessori because of the
theory to be very careful.
Kris
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it's been interpreted differently in the US to over here. I though
the point was to keep things child-size but 'real' so you might have
smaller pots and pans and brushes and stuff... But I never
thought there was pressure either in time or to 'perform' in a
certain way, apart from a general expectation of fair-play and co-
operation (this seems to be the one thing 'taught' from what I
know) with everyone else. I haven't read any of MM's work, nor
have I seen a Montessori school, but I've seen different bits and
bobs in different books, particularly to do with running community
preschools (playgroups in the UK, I believe this is a slightly
different thing 'over there.') I just can't see that MM would be
happy to see her name used for something so coercive!
Tracy>>
A friend of mine worked in a Montessori school and trained to be a
teacher. She told me that many of the schools are not TRUE Montessori.
The theory is supposed to be very unschoolish but the majority she has
seen, including the one she worked in, are basically just pre-schools
with very little resemblance to anything Montessori.
She advised me to tell anyone considering a Montessori because of the
theory to be very careful.
Kris
________________________________________________________________
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Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
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[email protected]
In a message dated 4/12/01 5:41:52 PM, louisam1@... writes:
<< The theory is supposed to be very unschoolish >>
In some ways, but in other ways there are DEFINITE rules and principles. The
alphabet is to be studied first through touch--letters made of sandpaper, or
lately of the soft foam-stuff that they make puzzles of sometimes. Toy
dishes are washed "the right way" and things are swept up with kid-sized
brooms and such. There is quite a structure to it.
And when people pay big money, it's not going to be okay with them for kids
to have choices which don't eventually even out to them having chosen things
from all activity areas, so there are checklists and once kids have made free
choices, the pool of available things to choose from gets smaller and smaller
until the checklist is fulfilled (from what I've read and seen, which could
be wrong, or not mainstream).
I don't think it's a bad thing, as pre-school goes (or early elementary), but
I think it's for sure still school and could do some of the undermining of
unschooling that any school can do.
Sandra
<< The theory is supposed to be very unschoolish >>
In some ways, but in other ways there are DEFINITE rules and principles. The
alphabet is to be studied first through touch--letters made of sandpaper, or
lately of the soft foam-stuff that they make puzzles of sometimes. Toy
dishes are washed "the right way" and things are swept up with kid-sized
brooms and such. There is quite a structure to it.
And when people pay big money, it's not going to be okay with them for kids
to have choices which don't eventually even out to them having chosen things
from all activity areas, so there are checklists and once kids have made free
choices, the pool of available things to choose from gets smaller and smaller
until the checklist is fulfilled (from what I've read and seen, which could
be wrong, or not mainstream).
I don't think it's a bad thing, as pre-school goes (or early elementary), but
I think it's for sure still school and could do some of the undermining of
unschooling that any school can do.
Sandra
[email protected]
<<And when people pay big money, it's not going to be okay with them for
kids
to have choices which don't eventually even out to them having chosen
things
from all activity areas, so there are checklists and once kids have made
free
choices, the pool of available things to choose from gets smaller and
smaller
until the checklist is fulfilled (from what I've read and seen, which
could
be wrong, or not mainstream).>>
Ewwww, people just can't resist regimenting learning. What is it about
the freedom of childhood that makes everyone so nervous?
My friend who studied to be a Montessori teacher said that this kind of
structure was NOT correct. Perhaps she was taught by a closet
unschooler. LOL She stated that any attempts to structure the child's
exploration was not good.
Needless to say, she became so disgusted with ANY thought of school that
she is home schooling now. I've given her a lot of information on
unschooling and it seems to be a direction she is open to. Her main
obstacle will be her natural bent to control and organize life in
general.
Kris
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kids
to have choices which don't eventually even out to them having chosen
things
from all activity areas, so there are checklists and once kids have made
free
choices, the pool of available things to choose from gets smaller and
smaller
until the checklist is fulfilled (from what I've read and seen, which
could
be wrong, or not mainstream).>>
Ewwww, people just can't resist regimenting learning. What is it about
the freedom of childhood that makes everyone so nervous?
My friend who studied to be a Montessori teacher said that this kind of
structure was NOT correct. Perhaps she was taught by a closet
unschooler. LOL She stated that any attempts to structure the child's
exploration was not good.
Needless to say, she became so disgusted with ANY thought of school that
she is home schooling now. I've given her a lot of information on
unschooling and it seems to be a direction she is open to. Her main
obstacle will be her natural bent to control and organize life in
general.
Kris
________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.