My kids (3.5 and almost 2, both boys) have been attending MAS for the past 6 months. They are very…read moredifferent kids, so we looked at a lot of different preschools and daycares before deciding that MAS was the right fit for both of them.
My oldest is very social, verbal and musical. But he has really struggled with fine and gross motor skills, and he gets frustrated easily when his body won't do what his mind wants. At his previous preschool, they did a lot of teacher led crafts, and while he was having fun, he wasn't really engaging with the materials. Here, they use a lot of manipulatives, which has helped him practice hand-eye coordination while introducing him to abstract concepts, like basic math and letters. He's getting better at daily tasks too, like cleaning, dressing, and tidying up. He's a social butterfly, so the large mixed-age groups seem to really be his thing. Sometimes when I come to pick him up, he tells me to come back later because he wants to spend more time with his friends and his "nice teachers."
My younger son is more of an introvert. He is not very verbal, but he's been talking more since going to MAS because he wants to communicate with his teachers and friends. The teachers read a lot to him, and he can even read a few words now. He can also do some one-digit addition, which was a surprise when he started chiming in on his brother's math practice. Every day when I pick him up, he says "A good day, mama!" and he's so happy.
They spend a lot of time outdoors. The playground for the older kids is very nice and spacious, but the one for the little kids is much smaller. Still, it is nice to know that they are getting lots of movement throughout the day. Sometimes they eat lunch outside too if the weather is nice.
Most of all, I've noticed that they are much more independent. I set up their toy room at home using the same kind of open shelves and trays that they use at MAS, and they put their materials back on the shelves without me even telling them to do anything. Part of the curriculum includes "grace and courtesy" in which they practice manners and being nice to one another, so that's been a big help when normal sibling disputes arrive.
The downside is the cost. I do appreciate that there is a small sibling discount, but it is still more than my mortgage. However, I attribute that to the cost of quality Montessori materials, teacher and staff training and professional development, and the fact that MAS is fully accredited by the Louisiana Montessori Association (LMA). As a school policy attorney, I know that this accreditation system has its own unique set of legal guidelines, which is different from other school accreditation/teacher certification systems. It's a pretty high bar.
Another thing to be aware of is that the program is highly structured. Think freedom within limits. The children are expected to follow certain routines and adhere to a sense of order. It helps to implement some of their processes at home so that there is consistency whether they are at home or at school.
And at the end of the day, my children are happy, and that's all I really wanted.
