Montessori Program - Do You Have One?

[SunshineMama]

Does anyone out there run a Montessori based program?

If so, can you please share a little bit about your day and how you got started?

Thank you!

[MissAnn]

Does anyone out there run a Montessori based program?

If so, can you please share a little bit about your day and how you got started?

Thank you!

I don't have a Montessori program....but I do use a few ideas that are along that line. I do use rugs for the kids to work manipulatives. They get out a rug, get out materials, use them....and put them away. The rug is their space. If another kid wants to play with them....they must ask. The kid with the rug can say yes, no thank you, or maybe later. Each side must be respected.

I also encourage the kids to use and expand self help skills. The older ones can help the younger ones. They are responsible for themselves......what they are able to do....they do. What they are not able to do.....if possible, we will learn.

[SunshineMama]

I don't have a Montessori program....but I do use a few ideas that are along that line. I do use rugs for the kids to work manipulatives. They get out a rug, get out materials, use them....and put them away. The rug is their space. If another kid wants to play with them....they must ask. The kid with the rug can say yes, no thank you, or maybe later. Each side must be respected.

I also encourage the kids to use and expand self help skills. The older ones can help the younger ones. They are responsible for themselves......what they are able to do....they do. What they are not able to do.....if possible, we will learn.

Oooh I really like the rug idea! I want to incorporate some Montessori inspired activities into our day. I have been working on self-help skills with the kiddos.

What types of manipulatives are you using for your kids?

[countrymom]

if you look on pintrest there are alot of ideas. The rug idea is a good idea.

[Blackcat31]

Montessori is pretty rigid about the type of materials and toys you have in your program. (if you run a strictly Montessori setting). Most of the materials are really focused on real-life type items that are simply scaled down to child-size. They are also really big on self-help and independence. Practical life skills is what they call that area of development.

Most of the toys and materials are also wooden and specifically designed for children to use on their own and at their own developmental level.

I am in the process of becoming certified as a Montessor Teacher. I LOVE the whole approach and the way they do things.

There are a lot of really good books on Amazon.com (check your local library too) about how to incorporate a little or a lot of Montessori ideas and methods into your home and care environment.

Here are a couple good sites to get you started:

http://montessoriblog.com/#Montessori_Articles

http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/

[Blackcat31]

My DH is currently helping me make a few of these:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=montessori+dressing+frame

[SunshineMama]

Montessori is pretty rigid about the type of materials and toys you have in your program. (if you run a strictly Montessori setting). Most of the materials are really focused on real-life type items that are simply scaled down to child-size. They are also really big on self-help and independence. Practical life skills is what they call that area of development.

Most of the toys and materials are also wooden and specifically designed for children to use on their own and at their own developmental level.

I am in the process of becoming certified as a Montessor Teacher. I LOVE the whole approach and the way they do things.

There are a lot of really good books on Amazon.com (check your local library too) about how to incorporate a little or a lot of Montessori ideas and methods into your home and care environment.

Here are a couple good sites to get you started:

http://montessoriblog.com/#Montessori_Articles

http://www.blog.montessoriforeveryone.com/

As you gain more knowledge, I would love to hear from you about what works, what you like, etc, if you have the time.

Thanks for the links- I am going to check those out.

[MissAnn]

Oooh I really like the rug idea! I want to incorporate some Montessori inspired activities into our day. I have been working on self-help skills with the kiddos.

What types of manipulatives are you using for your kids?

I don't have the same materials as Montessori. For instance, a true Montessori school would not have centers in the same way most programs have. Materials are called "tools" and are for "work" versus play. Materials are to be used in a specific manner and children are shown how to use them and are expected to use them in that way. Materials are displayed usually on trays and are always orgnanized. Instead of centers you have areas such as practical life, sensorial, mathematics, language and cultural. I have centers such as blocks, drama, math, science.......etc.... So I just use what I know about Montessori that I like. I am not structured enough for Montessori...

I have alll sorts of manipulatives...and I rotate them constantly. In math I have all sorts of counters, a real clock, an antique scale, shape sorters, legos,
calculators, pattern blocks, rulers....things like that.

[SilverSabre25]

I LOVE the Montessori approach so much that I'm thinking about getting a Montessori certification in a few years and actually opening a small Montessori preschool geared towards people who can't afford the exorbitant cost of a regular Montessori program.

In the meantime, I'm using flavors of Montessori (with simple, homemade materials...check out http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/ for ideas) and some flavors of Waldorf (at the moment...mostly trying to find a rhythm to our day) and Reggio Emilia (environment being the "third teacher" as well as some other stuff). It's a hodge podge, admittedly, and I'm having a hard time right now because I have two babies under 1, but I'm trying.

[melskids]

I LOVE the Montessori approach so much that I'm thinking about getting a Montessori certification in a few years and actually opening a small Montessori preschool geared towards people who can't afford the exorbitant cost of a regular Montessori program.

In the meantime, I'm using flavors of Montessori (with simple, homemade materials...check out http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/ for ideas) and some flavors of Waldorf (at the moment...mostly trying to find a rhythm to our day) and Reggio Emilia (environment being the "third teacher" as well as some other stuff). It's a hodge podge, admittedly, and I'm having a hard time right now because I have two babies under 1, but I'm trying.

That's kinda how I do things too... I love aspects of all three; montessori, waldorf, and reggio. I couldn't pick just one.

[countrymom]

I have a little of all 3 too. There are some things that I like from each one. The only problem is that I have a couple younger children and its too hard with them, right now their main concern is following me around looking for food all day.

[Sprouts]

I LOVE the Montessori approach so much that I'm thinking about getting a Montessori certification in a few years and actually opening a small Montessori preschool geared towards people who can't afford the exorbitant cost of a regular Montessori program.

In the meantime, I'm using flavors of Montessori (with simple, homemade materials...check out http://countingcoconuts.blogspot.com/ for ideas) and some flavors of Waldorf (at the moment...mostly trying to find a rhythm to our day) and Reggio Emilia (environment being the "third teacher" as well as some other stuff). It's a hodge podge, admittedly, and I'm having a hard time right now because I have two babies under 1, but I'm trying.

you go girl


I actually did the infant and toddler training this past summer and it was pretty enlightening but if I could choose again i would def do the 3-6 training. I do use it in my advertising to help attract more customers.