Considering moving kids from more traditional daycare to Montessori. I’ve read a few other posts about this but throwing it out there again. I think would benefit my kids from an individual learning perspective but have also heard it doesn’t academically prepare them as well for kindergarten. Anyone willing to share experience/perspective? Kids are 2 and 3 yo.

Just to level set lol - Kindergarten is designed to start from square one so that your child doesn’t need to be “academically prepared”…Kindergarten itself isn’t even required and is barely “academic” but is just to prepare them for first grade

My son has been in Montessori since 2.5 years old and has thrived academically. He is way over prepared for kindergarten. Can add, subtract, multiply, write, spell words and knows all his geography. So academically he will be bored in kindergarten. Socially he is also great at making friends and has made some great friendships at Montessori. We also have him in karate,swim, soccer, golf lessons, attends birthday parties and goes on play dates with kids from other backgrounds and who attend other types of schools. So it’s been a great experience for our son but we’ve also made sure his social life is expanded outside of Montessori.

My son went to a Montessori preschool starting at 2.5. Now he is moving to a Waldorf school. I am in a firm believer in these types of care and teaching. It’s amazing! The kids learn independence and critical thinking. I strongly encourage you making the jump!! :) good luck!

I'm surprised you've heard it doesn't prepare kids for kindergarten. I've never heard that sentiment.

Personally, I was miles ahead when I entered kinder after Montessori. My 2 yo has also completely blossomed over the last year in his Montessori school. It's amazing!

I went to a Montessori preschool and kindergarten, and it definitely prepared me for school. I was also academically gifted, and my parents were highly involved in my education. However, I think each Montessori school is different - with different teaching standards and expectations. When I’ve looked for my own children, it’s very school-by-school. If I were looking to enroll my children, I’d really explore multiple Montessori schools and ask to talk to alumni parents to make sure you understand that particular school’s track record and philosophy.

I have 4 kids. 3 went to regular schools and 1 was in Montessori until kindergarten. I will say that the Montessori child struggled academically in kindergarten initially but eventually caught on. It’s not that the Montessori schools don’t prepare them, it’s just that they teach them differently and when they switch over to regular school way of learning, it’s an adjustment. However, he was way more socially and emotionally aware, and more independent than my other kids at that age. I think there are pros and cons to Montessori and depending on the kid it can be beneficial. If I had to do it again I’d probably send them all to Montessori because of the skills they learn that regular schools don’t focus on. I would be cautious though if my kids struggled academically though because it does set them back in my opinion.

Montessori kids are always behind kids in the same grade inn public schools The grade doesn’t matter , it could b kd, 3rd, 6 th etc. and they will not and fo not deal with behavior problems or emotional problems. 😣

Just depends on your child. We have a pretty structured household and my son has always been in a traditional learning setting. He's been in private school through TK and Private Kind but everything he's learned, has mostly been from home and our own teaching efforts. He's five and learning math at a 3rd grade level, hes reading and is learning how to read clocks. He's well ahead of his peers. Montessori is a wonderful method of learning, but its not structured enough for us. I will admit, we've incorporated some aspect of a montessori-inspired environment at home which has promoted independence such as accessible learning materials (books and toys), cleaning supplies and cooking utensils hence why hes such a confident and capable kid. Household chores is a part of it too. My advice would be to explore it and measure the results. Good luck!

Quite the opposite for me. My kid at 3 was able to thrive and advance as far as she wanted to. She was reading fluently by 4 and doing math in several digits. She now goes to a gifted school and is going into 3rd grade.

However my son does not quite have the same desire or drive to do more. So from that perspective it could be a hindrance from an academic standpoint.