Discovery Montessori School (Central) v. Woodland (Caine Road)

bluigugub

I am interested in sending my boy to a Montessori playgroup.  Wondering if anyone has experience with the 2 schools above?


As far as I know, Discovery Montessori (Central) is rather new, so I am grateful if anyone can share.  I did attend a visit and the campus is rather spacious and pleasant.

Woodland for sure has a long history in conducting Montessori classes, but am wondering how the Caine Road is in particular.  


My current plan is to let my boy stay from now (14 months) at Playgroup until he is around 2.5 yrs old when he could formally start PN class...  thanks in advance !!

chansiub

DMS 係一間淨係得Montessori toy 嘅學校。用成45分鐘玩toys。Woodland ㄌ就介乎Tutor Time 同DMS 中間。DMS 比較悶但會收一歲小朋友。而Woodland 就收18m and up.  DMS每班少人，有多d attention from the teacher.  DMS 計堂收費，有補堂。Woodland 收定額季費，冇補堂

咪臣

DMS唔係計堂數, 若果是返星期六可能是, 因為1個月得4堂, 若果是返每星期兩堂/三堂, 係每個月計, 即係中間適逢是公眾假期係不會有補堂, 即係好似其他幼稚園一樣, DMS係兩個小時一堂, 頭一個小時係小朋友及其照顧者一齊玩蒙特梳利教具, 小朋友可以因應自己程度去揀選教具, 由小朋友去做, 照顧者只是輔助, 視乎每個老師教法, 有些老師會在頭一個小時內, 叫每個小朋友到她那張小桌子前, 老師會因應學生程度, 利用不同教具去教學生, 年紀細(12至18個月)小朋友就教Sensorial/Practical Life教具, 年紀大(20-24個月)小朋友督可以教數字, 顏色, 形狀, Pink Tower, Brown Cube, 立體圖形.....每位小朋友有大約10分鐘時間, 因為一班通常最多6位小朋友, 之後1個小時便是Circle Time, Circle time 其實是老師跟各位小朋友上課, 不過不用黑板, 改為在地上鋪上一張地墊, 將老師的教具放在地墊上, 小朋友及照顧者會圍住老師一同上課, 開始時會先唱歌, 之後老師會教小朋友數字, 大小, 英文字, 生果......之後就是勞作時間, 再之後是茶點, 月費已經包括所有雜費, 不用再俾任何其他茶點費, 勞作費....

Woodland 係不會讓年紀細過2歲小朋友用任何蒙特梳利教具, 我唔知原因, 可能是沒有任何有AMI/MCI牌的老師教小朋友~

PG老師悶唔悶都好個人, 不過DMS大部份都收過嚴格訓練, 有認可的註冊文憑, 我個小朋友有很多同學仔都是從TUTOR TIME轉過來, 因為之前都係PG同學仔, 當然DMS環境比起Little Montessorian好好多~

我自己之前都已經上完呢個機構的家長班, 我覺得很有用, 所以我會繼續上家長班去充實自己, 希望同其他Montessori的家長可以交流下~

chansiub

回復 bluigugub 的帖子

Pros of DMS:  Small class size, more attention from the teacher Cons: Really too much time spending on playing the Montessori toys.  The teaching method of DMS is very different from Woodland.  I went to Tutor Time and Woodland playgroup with my boy who is now 3 years old.  I am now going to DMS and Tutor Time with my 1 year old girl.  It is likely that kids who couldn't sit still and is with short attention span will find it hard to participate in DMS playgroup.

chansiub

回復 咪臣 的帖子

Woodland's teacher will not have time for each individual student like DMS.  The teacher of Woodland pg will not demonstrate how to play the Montessori toy.  They have one thing in common:  Students who cry and screem in the class will be kicked out :)

cann5

My kid attended Woodland (Caine Road) for half a year before starting his PN class. Once they entered the classroom, they were allowed to play with whatever toys/tools/books they liked. Then, there was the circle time led by the class teacher who was an English woman (My kid also attended its summer class with a Chinese who spoke in English during class and I heard her speaking in fluent Cantonese after class). Teacher would ask each of the kids questions (e.g. What’s your name?) and requested them to do some action. Then, followed by singing session, and art and craft session. Then, free playing / reading again. After that would be snack time and then playing outdoors. The last session would be story-telling session. Putonghua teacher joined the class for around 15 mins once a week, usually singing Putonghua songs. Don’t have any expectation on Putonghua! Overall, the teachers and staff are nice.

elmostoney

I just want to point out - if you are really looking for a Montessori school, then a 45-minute work cycle is OK for a toddler.  In fact, a true Montessori school will not have "snack time," "artwork time" but yes to circle time.  如果媽媽覺得45分鐘work cycle太長, 有兩個原因 1.  老師不夠經驗, 不能帶動孩子完成工作, 所以45min變得很漫長  2.  教室教具種類太少.  我家小孩上的montessori教室, 18個月收生, toddler班有剪刀, 針線 (當然是鈍的), punching等, 很多學校怕危險, 都不會在toddler教室, 甚至casa教室放這種教具.  我不是說學校有必要這種教具, 但這也不放, 那也不放, 加起來就很多種. 而個人意見, 學校願意放, 代表他們對自己和老師有信心.  我家小孩20個月已在教室用剪刀, 不是塑膠那種, 是真正的兒童美勞剪刀.

至於woodland, 據我所知, 應該不全是持牌老師, 所以不懂operate一個montessori班房也不出奇.  其實很多人將montessori tools當玩具, 不明背後意義, 那就以為持續練習不重要, 覺得對小朋友很悶. montessori的brown stairs, pink tower全部都是以十進制設計的, 對那麼小的小朋友當然不明其因, 但如果孩子會一直唸montessori, 這是大一點時對他們的啟發.  時下的小朋友接受外界的stimulation太多, 很多要求常有新鮮感, 少了一份堅持要耐性, 這亦是montessori透過反復操作教具希望小朋友能達到的境界.

chansiub

要找一個老師能帶動氣氛談何容易。如果能有這一個老師，我想什麼學校或理念，只要是正軌，都值得送小朋友去讀。純montessori的學校對我來說是有點過時。12至18個月的小朋友不應只有那toddler set。用剪刀的概念很好。但集體做artwork的成效不是更好嗎？Maria Montessori 的理念是要透過所謂tools 或我所說的toys去融入生活。但規代Montessori理念只懂copy。 現在是詎離Maria 時代成百年了。課室中只有老遠年代的木頭玩具是否有點不合時宜？我絕對覺得教具背後意義好。但若果課室只有這些，給我的感覺像進了時光機。

chansiub

我唔堅持學校是否純Montrssori。我覺得Montessori是比較適合容易坐定定的小孩。別期望用學校去改變小孩。

Chujai

原帖由 bluigugub 於 12-03-21 發表
I am interested in sending my boy to a Montessori playgroup.  Wondering if anyone has experience wi ...

For me I believe in Montessori so I hope this can help my son. My only problem now is to choose between DMS central, LM or Island children Montessori school...anyone has any tips in choosing a more suitable one for their kid?

elmostoney

我絕對同意, 教室除了montessori 教具, 亦應有合符時代, 能符合montessori概念的, 其實很多, 亦是我選montessori教室的criteria之一.  之前我去參觀Dms, 就是嫌班房的教具純montessori, 種類太少. 如果將montessori定義為教具, 這definition就太窄了, 他是一個概念, 鼓勵尊重孩子.  為什麼沒有指定artwork time? 為什麼沒有集體排隊上廁所時間?  為什麼沒有集體茶點時間?  因為montessori主張一切根據孩子需要 (急的時候便會上廁所, 餓的時候會吃茶點,但每個人上廁所或肚餓的時間都不一樣). 至於artwork, 老實說, 兩三歲的孩兒, 都是做老師準備了的貼工, 一個好的montessori教室, 是有剪貼工的, 孩子可自由拿取, 隨時做, 喜歡的孩子可多做一點, 如此類推.  

另外, 為什麼不分許多不同時段, 因為montessori主張培養專注力和耐性, 如果孩子在做一件事, 突然要停下來, 因為是artwork time, toilet time, snack time...那工作便少了continuity.  孩子便少了機會完成工作, 大家明白嗎?  老是被人打斷工作的孩子, 怎樣培養專心?  that's why work cycle 太短, 並非好事.

elmostoney

i can say icms is not a good choice.

Chujai

原帖由 elmostoney 於 12-03-24 發表
i can say icms is not a good choice.

Thanks. If this is the case what Montessori schools will u recommend for playgroup?

咪臣

我自己覺得香港有很多教師及家長都對Montessori School 有誤解, 以為只著重教具, 注重個人訓練, 我相信群體活動是重要, Maria Montessori 對於兒童發展止於零歲至六歲前的早期兒童發展, 因為那時她已經很老, 所以之後小學及中學研究卻沒有什麼顯著研究, 所以有香港家長對於Montessori學生不合群, 所以我覺得DMS加入Artwork, Snack Time 及Toilet training是有必要, 因為做artwork可以訓練創造力, 對顏色有認識, Snack time 及 Toilet training對於學生也是必要, 因為Montessori著重訓練自律及自理能力, 自己去拿碟及杯子, 自己去廁所都要訓練一部分, 我小朋友剛兩歲已經可以自己穿鞋子, 穿襪子, 穿Jacket, 摺疊衣服, 除鞋及襪子, 穿及除尿片, 自己用匙及叉食飯及飲湯, Montessori的訓練真的對我小朋友的大小肌肉有幫助, Montessori最大的精神是要讓小朋友自己去發展能力, 照顧者只是輔助者, 教具只是配合小朋友發展而做, 有經驗的Montessori老師是重要, 我覺得DMS學校的老師有這個能力, 若果只是看教具及設施, DMS一定不你杯茶!!!! 我反而希望DMS可以加入廣東話更加好~
Artwork, Snack Time 及Toilet training只是for Little Casa, 因為大部份都未戒片, 之後Casa就會自己去, 我今日去學校上workshop, 老師叫工人帶個三歲幾小朋友去廁所......其實要視乎小朋友每個唔同stage的發展及需要~

LPN

回應一下，我個小朋友二月開始由 Tutor Time 轉去 DMS，我完全強烈地感受到兩間學校既差別，之前佢返TT，日日都唔想返學，返黎完全冇講學校學左d乜野，返左DMS 之後 （我地之前係有上過佢銅鑼灣個playgroup），佢日日都話要返學，入到學校就頭也不回咁衝入課室，而嚮呢唔夠兩個月裏面，佢學左好多野，包括 Sunday to Saturday, January to December, counting from 10 - 50 等等，而且見到佢上堂 circle time 個 video, 仲睇到非常開心， 不停repeat. 仲有，佢地每日係有集體去洗手間既時間既。

不過因為我地冇返過 Woodland, 所以比較唔到。但 DMS 真係一間值得推薦既學校

咪臣

我強調我阿仔是一個十分活潑的小朋友, 有無限精力, 真係冇時停!!! 不過佢一上課就會乖乖做Montessori activities, 其實有研究顯示, 越活躍的小朋友反而專注力越高, 因為活動能令腦部發展有刺激, 我今個星期上親子情緒管理課程時, 老師對我們說, 頗有趣的研究......

Chujai

原帖由 咪臣 於 12-03-25 發表
我強調我阿仔是一個十分活潑的小朋友, 有無限精力, 真係冇時停!!! 不過佢一上課就會乖乖做Montessori activ ...

Really? My son has problem with his temper and I feel so difficult to handle..so u mean they offer classes on that? Will it be held at the DMS central campus?

Chujai

原帖由 LPN 於 12-03-24 發表
回應一下，我個小朋友二月開始由 Tutor Time 轉去 DMS，我完全強烈地感受到兩間學校既差別，之前佢返TT，日 ...

Indeed I will let my son to join tutortime and LM first. Not because I like tutortime particularly but it is just our thinking to let him study at local primary when he grow up that he needs some time in 'ordinary' school in early age. I always hope that he can be in Montessori class at least once a week when he grow up

elmostoney

的確, 香港太多學校, 買幾套montessori教具返來, 就advertise成一間montessori school, 真係好恐怖, 結果教小朋友當然收唔到預期嘅效果, 因為d老師自己都一知半解, 於是家長便覺得montessori 都唔知係物, 根本就out.  很可悲.

montessori嘅toddler班, 唔係注重教識小朋友幾多數目字, counting, 英文呢d.  佢地重視嘅係鍛鍊小朋友專注力, 耐性, 明白所有野都有rules要跟, 但係中間有自由比佢地選擇.  老師要做嘅係一個guide嘅角色, 比信心小朋友, 因為大人尊重佢地, 相信小朋友, 佢地先會願意嘗試, 學會獨立.  佢地嘅教具, 同以上概念係一脈相成, 但會有sorting嘅意思, 除左可以鍛鍊大小肌肉外, 亦係準備數學嘅基礎, 等小朋友更條理分明.  unfortunately, 係我地而家呢個急攻近利嘅社會, 好多家長都等唔設, 三歲前最好小朋友要變超人, 所以呢種理念頗不合時宜.

一般toddler班, 兩歲半以下, 係非常少會教到10以上.  無他, 好多小朋友可以唸口黃咁跟住數,但係對實際數字並唔理解, 除非係數學方面有好exceptional talent.  toddler班一般會做spindler box，等小朋友學識結合量+數+數字SYMBOL，同時明白物野叫做零．等於我個女，佢隨口講9million都識，但係佢並無9 million呢個quantity嘅概念．montessori　注重嘅小朋友對數字係全面理解, 唔係單單識講又或睇個數字, 係要明白背後量嘅意思．我話8時, 小朋友要識指出8呢個數字, 同時攞8粒豆比我, 如此類推. 學SPINDLER BOX其中一個特點,就係對零嘅理解, 所以MONTESSORI小朋友, 好多係兩歲幾已知零係NOTHING, 冇野.  另外TODDLER班可做淨色NUMBER RODS, 等佢地可以以長短比較到數字.  即使到學乘數除數，都要用教具以實物形式學左先，明白左先唸乘數除數表，有別於傳統教學，先背左，慢慢等小朋友自己發掘去明白．

CASA班有一個教具, 叫TRINOMIAL CUBE, 好神奇, 我個女係四歲左右已MASTER左呢個教具. 係MONTESSORI高小, 老師會攞返呢個教具出來, 教(a+b+c)3呢條數(係開3次方, 但係我唔識整細個3), 係本地學校, 呢條係F.3/F.4嘅數, 當然一個CASA班幾歲小朋友根本唔知點解要做呢個教具, 其實就係呢條FORMULA嘅實體, 但對MONTESSORI KIDS就好易明, 唔洗等到中學.  GEOMETRY亦都係, 大家見到CASA班不同嘅三角形組合盒, 因為除左唔同嘅CURVED SHAPES外, 所有有角嘅形狀, 其實都係以不同大小的三角形組成, 所以對MONTESSORI KIDS來說, GEOMETRY都係EASY JOB.

elmostoney

其實一個montessori教室，除左circle time外，即使所有時間都係work cycle，　小朋友都有互動．

1. SNACK TIME係小朋友肚餓時自己食, 老師一早教左佢地點樣做, 只係跟自己生理時鍾同需要. 佢地會識自己倒水飲, 食完收返D野咁. 偶然會有一齊整野食時間, 咁就會全班一齊做同分享.  我個仔係CASA, 老師話最近佢學識左自己削蘋果, 於是老師提議佢, 不如同其他同學分享, 呢D就係互動.  佢學習去問人, 同人分享, 可能有D小朋友會SAY YES, 但有D都會SAY NO, 佢明白要尊重人嘅意願.

2.  日常工作, 有時會係兩個或以上小朋友一齊做, 有時係自己一個人做, 但跟住會想其他人同佢做, 佢會問人地想唔想一齊玩, 又或人地自己走去問小朋友, 可唔可以參加.  呢D就係互動, 小朋友亦要學會尊重人, 有禮貌呢D. 我覺得好好.  即使小朋友唔想人地加入, 我覺得冇物野, 因為人有時都想獨處.  我見我個仔以前做到KNOB CYLINDER四條一齊時, 有D相都係同一個PARTNER一齊做.

3.  我個仔而家4歲3個月, 係班上算係大D.  老師會鼓勵佢去幫助細D嘅小朋友, 好正, 我明顯睇到佢信心好左.

我都堅信MONTESSORI, 不過在此一提, 唔係每個小朋友都啱.  曾幾何時, 我發瘋想盡辦法要我個女留係MONTESSORI到, 無可奈何下, 最後我要放棄, 不過佢都讀左3年MONTESSORI. 而家睇返佢係學校,我先明白, 佢根本唔啱呢個SYSTEM, 佢而家返緊普通is, MUCH BETTER FIT.  但係我個仔, 我深信佢合適MONTESSORI, 所以我打算比佢讀埋小學.

另外, 我想指出, 如果諗住一星期返一兩日去MONTESSORI, 效果其實唔太大, 可能係屋企提供一D方法環境去保持, 但去到大D, ACADEMICS多D時, 係追唔到的, 效果都唔穩定.  基本上返5天全日係最好嘅!