Montessori is a proven method of education, but it is not offered everywhere. Families move, or employment and economic situations change, and children with a Montessori background must make the transition to a traditional school.
How each child makes this transition is different due to his/her emotional, social, and academic well-being. Most parents find that their children make a smooth and successful transition to traditional programs. Many students visit us after moving on and mention only minor challenges that occur with any transition: not knowing everyone at first, getting used to their new building, and understanding new schedules.
What we hear from teachers and administrators of traditional schools is that Montessori children love to learn, are well-prepared with real knowledge, and are a delight to teach because of their independence and cooperative approach to learning.
Understand that curriculums vary. All schools strive to cover similar material through a child’s school career, but the order in which this occurs may differ. Depending on when your child transitions to a traditional program, she may repeat some material. This is short-lived and is to be expected.
Help your child understand expectations in time management. He may be used to having more control of when he completes his work. This added dimension of meeting another’s schedule will be new, but is something easily learned.
Tell your child what to expect. Your child will notice some differences in a traditional classroom: remaining seated in class, working on a lesson with the entire class, using more books and paper and fewer manipulative materials, and having work choices made by someone else (the teacher). There may be fewer opportunities for a child to make choices for himself in the new setting depending on when he transitions and to what environment, but understanding these differences will help him know what to expect.
A Life-Long Foundation
Montessori students are given a life-long ability to build new friendships, healthy relationships, and communities wherever they go. Not only does Montessori prepare students academically for the challenges of secondary schools and colleges, it prepares them to take their place in society.