Preschools and Montessori
Recently, the talks about regulating pre-school education is resurfacing.There has been talk about getting the government to regulate the industry, as there is such a great disparity in Pre School education.
As any parent, all of us want the Best for our kids, and I have witnessed the positive effects of a good healthy environment which stimulates a pre-schooler. Generally, kids which are put in a good learning environment seem to be more ready for school – as they seem to be more confident and more vocal. With higher teacher-student ratios in Government Supported Preschools as compared to Private Schools, I do believe that teachers also find it difficult to teach and hold the attention of energetic pre-schoolers.
However, there are many more issues on the horizon, as with the increasing focus paid on pre-schoolers, the bad news is that the cost of the Private School seems to be increasing every year. Enrolment fees go up by at least 10% a year, far outstripping inflation and the rise in teacher’s salaries. Somehow,I think that they are just maximizing the fact that Parents rarely schools, as we just want a stable and familiar environment for the children.
In view of these rising school fees, I feel that it would be good to regulate the industry. I really feel that it will be fantastic, if I could pay normal school fees, for a school that is doing a decent job in the preschool industry. When we leave an industry to market forces, it is inevitable that that businesses will just go for profits!
In terms of quality education, my wife and I have been to many preschools to visit and we have done our own comparisons. The educational choices available are a smorgasbord! There’s an endless possibility on what is offered. Let me give you an example. I’ll just focus on TEACHERS.
We have qualified teachers in Early Childhood development, and those without. And there are those with additional qualifications like Childhood Music Appreciation, Dance or Learning Abilities. Above that, there are teachers who have practical experience, and those without. And there are those who are young and energetic, with enough zest in them to keep up with the young kids. And on the other end, there are the older teachers with little drive or energy to run, let alone keep up with two small boys.
The famous founders of Google are graduates from Montessori, and they credit their independent thinking to the childhood foundations implanted into them.
However, as many Parents today are paying through the “nose” for a Montessori school, the sad fact is that NOT all schools are genuine Montessori Schools. In fact, a school does not need to use the Montessori curriculum, have Montessori trained teachers or materials to use the Montessori name. As stated in the video, anyone can use the name Montessori.
In Maria Montessori schools, there is no homework, no textbooks, no hand-outs….in fact in it’s purest form, I think it will freak out the Singaporean Parent. However, these fundamentals are to encourage the child on a journey of self-discovery, and changing these fundamentals, sounds like just a branding exercise to me…It’s kind of saying that I can help you to get into the gifted program, but in reality, I do not really have the credentials or an of the syllabus to do so.
Personally, I have no problems sending my children to a Montessori School, as the principals do appeal to me as well. However, with school fees rising as fast as COE prices, there is a definite need to look into this area, or else we will have a big disparity in preschool education offered to the rich and the poor.
August 6th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Parents could consider a pre-school that has been SPARK-certified (http://moe.gov.sg/education/preschool/spark/)
August 6th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
The certification certainly looks like a good start. I wonder if the regulation imposes regulation on school size, teacher’s qualification and pricing?
August 6th, 2012 at 9:17 pm
There is no such thing as pure Montessori school in Singapore but there are a few that are closely adhering to the principles of the Montessori methods and their fees are somewhere in between normal church kindy schools and those branded preschools. So it is not all that expensive. I am definitely pro-Montessori and am against the regimental school-styled system for preschools. I am of the opinion that some freedom with the Montessori method is better than having strictly school style. Hence my concerns regarding the government wanting to regulate the industry. I urge parents to look beyond the cost of education should that be the carrot that would be dangled in front of them. If people did not like how the Primary School and Secondary School system is running now, very likely parents would not be happy with the way the Preschool System is going to be. I really do encourage parents to speak up about this. Think about the kind of environment you want them to grow up in and how your want your children’s brains to be wired. The kind of education received at this age is critical. From the Education policies so far, I do not think that they take into account the children’s development and neuroscience at all.
August 6th, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Hi Sherrie, thanks for dropping by
I liked the theory behind Montessori as well, but after watching the video, I think they do bring out important points. If the basis of Montessori science is the exploration and self-discovery, the hybrids of these fundamentals seem to have strayed from the philosophy of the method. Maybe a University, should undertake a study on how these hybrid systems have fared in the kids that come out of the system. Are they as creative, or are they still very similar in terms of the Singapore Mold, and just made to excel in the Singapore Exam System.
I think regulation would be essential for the government pre-schools, as their standards vary a lot. I have seen old aunties who lack energy and use outdated teaching styles trying to teach the kids. I think some form of minimum standard should be set, so that lower income groups can enjoy better education.
August 8th, 2012 at 8:41 am
Have you read the history of how Montessori came abt.. im not sure.. it seems to develope for retarded kids.. and why do we need to send our kids to Montessori.. we can practise many of the skills at home.. dont need to send kids to pick up those skills..school is for play and learn.. my opinion
no.. wont send kids to Montessori cos there is no real montessori in spore.. all mix and match..and wonder why need to charge so high..jst bcos the material they bought is from overseas..
August 9th, 2012 at 10:30 am
Ya. I agree that that I dont believe that there is any true Blue Montessori in Singapore. But I am not too sure about its origins in mentally challenged children. Could not find that in Wikipedia. Maybe u can higlight the links?
I guess that we can practise a lot of things which the kids learned at home, but many a times, we are just too busy to do it. I guess we parents can always do more!
August 13th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Thanks for the sharing. I’m skeptical about montessori because it seems (to me) to lack the social aspect of development. The activities are mostly to be done individually, which is good in the sense that children can develop according to their own interests and abilities but I do feel like a big part of sending my girl to school is to gain social skills. My reservations about montessori may well be because I have not come across a true montessori learning environment but so far I am saying no to Montessori and its not because of the price tag.
August 14th, 2012 at 11:26 am
I think that maybe they took those factors into consideration, and that is why there is no true montessori in Singapore. However, I think the social development is also very much supported by the parents. If the parents are great in social environments and on the weekends, the kids have activities like Sunday School, the kids will get to interact with other kids and see their parents doing well socially as well. Hopefully, these factors will counter that fear…