re:Montessori Pre-School Advice

we did a montessori program in China for one year with my son. He liked it and is able to read and do basic math and is not in kindergarten yet. I will say however that wanting your child to go into a gifted program is only possible if they have the IQ to get into one. Academic knowledge and IQ are to very different things. You can cram all the knowledge into your child at an early age and they will learn because that is what they do naturally, that does not mean that they are gifted. I don't want you to spend an obscene amount of money on a montessori program only to find out your child is above average IQ but not in the gift range because the program is not designed to increase a child's IQ. It is designed to help your child learn at her own pace encouraging developement of her strengths. I would go with a nice academic based preschool that does not cost an arm and a leg like a montessori one does and you will have the same results. We only did the montessori in China because it was the only English speaking environment for my child to learn in and make new friends.

Hi S.!
I had my children tested for the gifted program and had it done privately rather than in the public school. It costs about $300 and you are almost assured success. I looked in the yellow pages for a school certified psychologist. As for Montessori, I think it started out as a wonderful idea, but has turned into somewhat of a cult in this country. The parents I met there certainly do not represent the mainstream which is ok except that some of them are pretty militant about it, ie. judgemental. I would consider it for preschool and kindergarden if I had it to do over again.
N

Hope this helps, its just my opinion.

My daughter went to a Montessori toddler program when she was almost 3 (and most of the others were younger 2's). After a while she started to dislike it intensely because it wasn't a social enough environment. Each child is meant to carry out learning tasks at his little table and there's not an awful lot of interaction. I gather that it's a bit better when they're older and work on some projects in pairs or teams. Only you can second guess whether this might be an environment for your "cautious" daughter to thrive in or whether she needs more knocking of heads with other pre-schoolers in a more mainstream school. Our friends' daughter who remained in the program could read at 4, but, as the mother said, didn't know how to play with other kids. I think your daughter could qualify for a gifted program later on regardless of what pre-school you choose, so long as you keep encouraging her curiosity and love of learning. A WAHM/SAHM has more impact on a little one than a pre-school, all in all. (And I don't know how vital it is for future academic success and overall happiness that a child be part of a gifted program. It sounds like she's sure to do well regardless with you in her court.)

Hi S., I can't advise you on pre-schools as I never used a pre-school at all. I will advise you that if you think your child is truly gifted be prepared to fight for her. My middle daughter was "tagged" as gifted in kindergarden. At the time we lived in Ohio and that was common practice. Once a child was "tagged" in Kindergarden they were taught the same things but with different more challenging methods. Then as they got older they would be tested and put into the gifted program as they matured. Then we moved to PA. Now my daughter has never had less than an A ever, she plays 3 different instruments, is in all honers classes, and still can't get into the gifted program in our school district. All along she has had years of dance classes, girl scouts, softball....the works! She has been "tested" twice for the gifted program and after they add, subtract, round and do vodo over her scores she is always "just a few points short of qualifying for the program." They try to blind you with their "educators lingo", it doesn't matter how well they do on the PSSA's....it doesn't matter that all the teachers think she belongs in the program. It all comes down to some convoluted, over analized, algerbra formula that can be mangled by the people who administer the tests! So be forwarned, if you feel that she truly is that bright start to consider privet schooling vs. public you stand a better chance there!! Best wishes.