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Learning
One of the problems with the vast array of educational philosophies for preschoolers, apart from the fact that they all seem to be in hostile conflict with each other, is that, to someone uninitiated (and I'm thinking here of myself), they all seem equally good (or questionable) and deciding which pedagogical philosophy to hitch one's kid to when he or she is just starting to talk is a weird endeavor. One might have as much luck with the Magic 8 Ball school of decision-making.
- What say, should I go with a Steiner school?
-My sources say no.
- How about a Reggio Emilia based preschool?
- Answer hazy. Try again.
So it was with interest that I read Emily Bazelon's piece in Slate about Montessori education. I have to admit that I have been rather Montessori-resistant. Maybe it was the smugness of a toy store that favors Montessori toys. I have a love/fear relationship with this place because the toys are so beautiful, but I feel completely inadequate and unworthy to shop there because my kids also have the weird plastic representational toys. I don't know if this comes from the fact that I am, at bottom, a contrarian. I have a hard time subscribing to a philosophy of rug cleaning, let alone something more emotionally fraught.
Anyway, Bazelon offers a really good description of how Montessori schools work and what they're all about. Of course, many Montessori schools, here in New York at least, don't strictly adhere to the protocols, but it gives you a good sense of how things work. And it sounds as if they work incredibly well. Often.
I am not sending my son to a Montessori school for a number of reasons, some of which have to do with educational style, but given Bazelon's experience I do wonder a little how heavily I weighted my own tastes in the whole school choice process. I also wonder if that is necessarily a bad thing, given how little information I have handy about Felix's learning style, and how I will also be a participant in the school and it won't do if I can't convincingly talk the talk.
posted by Elise at 7:10 AM
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Internet-Marketing said...
5/21/2007 5:26 AM
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