Transitioning from a Montessori Environment

I recently attended an education seminar in which education specialists presented on Fostering Independence and Self-Advocacy: Preparing for Life’s Transitions. The presentation focused on the social, emotional and developmental transitions for middle school, high school, and college students. Transitions for many students can be challenging but the topic brought to mind a specific subset of students, those from a Montessori classroom who may follow a different transitional trajectory then their peers and face a distinctive set of obstacles when starting at a new school. 

At some point in their school career, the majority of Montessori students will have to accomplish the transition from their Montessori setting to another school environment as many programs in this region do not offer a complete K-12 Montessori program. As a former teacher who has taught at several local Montessori schools, I have seen many students successfully transition to a more traditional school setting.  In this first article on Montessori education, I will discuss the types of transitions and basic tips for a successful transition to a traditional school.

Academic Changes

·Teacher guided learning and traditional teaching methods

Montessori programs employ a self-guided method and some Montessori children may be ahead or behind in some subjects compared to their classmates

·New learning materials

Textbooks and workbooks are often found in a more traditional setting and Montessori children may need extra practice learning to use these materials

·Increase in homework

Little (if any) homework is assigned in a Montessori classroom and putting in extra hours of work after school will require an adjustment to a typical routine

Emotional Transition

·Structured day

Montessori children will have to adjust to having fewer activity choices and learn to work on the same activity as their peers during the same time period

·Peers their own age & a shift in friendships

If a child is emotionally more mature or immature then their peers, this transition may be difficult as Montessori classrooms allow for children to learn from younger and older students in mixed age classrooms

·Test taking anxiety

Some Montessori students may have never taken a test (let alone filled out a bubble for a Scantron) by the time they enter a new school year and fears regarding tests can arise

5 Basic Tips for a Successful Transition

1. Set aside a homework space in your home for your child and help them plan out his or her homework schedule for the week

2. Buy a challenging but fun logic or puzzle workbook that include tests and have your child practice filling out answers

3. Have a discussion with your child about some of the transitions listed above and check in with them as the school year progresses to talk about what they are feeling and experiencing.

4. Arrange a social activity for your child with a new classmate or a peer that is his or her own age before school begins so they can start to form new friendships

5. Remind your child his or her school may have new routines such as sitting and working on math problems at a desk with the whole class, standing in a line or calling a teacher by Mr, Mrs or Ms. Go over the daily or weekly schedule before school begins

These are some basic strategies you and your family can use when helping your child adjust to a more traditional school.  In my next article, I will talk about specific summer programs that will help your child transition from a Montessori setting to a more traditional school environment.