In conversation with parents - why they choose Montessori
A conversation with parent of two, Ky Chow
Theodore had long resisted (to put it lightly) going to his previous daycare, and some friends had spoken highly of their local Montessori. When we did a classroom observation, we were struck by how focused and quiet the children were, and how they did activities independently or in small groups. We loved the idea of a school that taught children how to focus better, especially in a modern world full of distractions. We also were intrigued by the focus on independence.
Our conversation with Kathryn, the principal, helped us understand Montessori in detail, including what the culture and community was like. I had a lot of questions and Kathryn patiently indulged all of them, and we could tell the school was not just willing, but eager to engage with parents closely.
Already patient and independent
Sure enough, Montessori delivered quickly on helping Theodore focus, and be more independent. Not long after he started, we saw Theodore intensely and patiently carrying out tasks such as mat scrubbing and bean pouring. It's fair to say we had not seen that side of him at home or before Montessori.
The focus on emotional and social development has also stood out. I'm sure many early childhood education teachers know how to deal with a three or four year old's ups and downs. Montessori, however, is much more personal, methodical and focused on soft skill development.
For example if there are conflicts, the teacher guides the children through group role plays that teach empathy, while also not singling anyone out. That's smart and it works.
It’s made me a better parent
Montessori has made me a better and more confident parent.
It all started at KIN for us. Any concerns I had that it was an extravagant playgroup were quickly dispelled. It was brilliant for introducing Luke to the unique Montessori learning environment and personal teacher attention. It also was excellent for helping and educating me as a dad.
That diligent parent communication and education continues in Cycle 1. The teachers patiently speak with you about any of your kids’ challenges, including their plan, and suggestions for what we can do at home. Theodore's little brother Luke, for example, took a while to adjust to Cycle 1 after having never been by himself at an early childhood education provider. The teachers have been patient but also helpful in suggesting ideas that have helped him with the big change - not just at the school gate, but meeting privately with us.
It’s not just the teachers who engage with parents. The school offers many ways to learn about parenting from both experts and fellow school parents. I now arrange my calendar so I can make the school founder Raji's brilliant Courtyard Chats. The principal, Kathryn Wyer, is also very accessible and attentive.
If I were asked by a parent in the park to describe Montessori, I would say:
It's more personal and systematic in developing kids intellectually and emotionally compared to many traditional daycares or preschools. That's largely because of the teachers’ training as well as the inherent qualities of the Montessori method itself.
For example, kids choose many of their own activities, guided by the teachers, which means they can do so independently. This frees the teachers to be more personal when, and with who, they need to be.
There's also more deliberate focus on the emotional and social development (“soft skills”) they'll need during their lives.
Finally, as a parent, Montessori will make you informed, educated and confident.
A conversation with parent of two, Jules O’Riordan
My daughter, Jessie Mae, is in Elouera and is 5 years old. I marvel at my daughter. Not just because she’s my daughter, but for how profound she is at such a young age. The other day, we were walking up the road and her little sister was having a hard time, and I was having a hard time parenting. Jessie just turned around and said to me, “ Mum, she just needs love.” I can’t believe a 5-year old can communicate like that. It’s beyond words. Without this style of education this would not have happened.
Community is what we are looking for
My husband and I are both immigrants from Ireland and we don’t have any family here. We chose Montessori for so many reasons, but one of them was for the community. It feels like an extension of our family.
I found KIN, the Under 3 program, during Covid and it changed our lives; not to mention my whole parenting style and knowledge. KIN was so unbelievable I couldn’t think about not continuing our parenting journey after the Under 3 program was finished, so we took a look at the school. My husband’s first response was, “I would’ve loved a school like this for me.”
Preparing our children for the unknown
We chose Montessori for a multitude of reasons, but the one thing that has stayed with me was listening to a speaker from MIT at a conference in the States (when we were working and living there) on the future of technology and humanity. The lecturer was talking about the AI revolution, and this was already back in 2020 before Chat GPT was on our mobile phones. He talked about how back in the industrial revolution, factories were already equipped with access to electricity but they didn’t know how to use it - It laid dormant for more than 10 years. This is exactly where we are at with AI - in the next 10 years it’s going to be a revolution and just boom - take off!
His advice was don’t get your kids to be a radiologist, computers are going to be reading scans. The world of work is going to change, and not to underestimate psychology - the ability to lead people and the ability to be secure in yourself. These are the qualities we need our children to learn. We have no idea what our next generation of children are going to be doing for work. The standard school system as it is, is not going to support them. The talk was incredible. It never left me. I just sat there and went ‘wow’. Since then I could only seek a system of education that would support my girls for their future.