International Montessori in Ap Lei Chau - DESPERATE

[elizaveta]

I am amazed at rather aggressive critic of Waldorf education and Highgate House school specifically.

Well INDEED - ask the parents of the children that actually go there. My daughter goes to Highgate House school and I think this is the best school ever. Before putting her there, I made an extensive research, on this forum and elsewhere. I have yet to see a negative post on this forum on Highgate House School. But do search on Montessori - you will see MANY negative comments from parents that attempted to put their kids there.

 

[joannek]

elizaveta, seems like we're in the same boat. i do agree on the negative comments on the montessori schools in HK. I personally had experience at IMS & Woodland Montessori in Repulse Bay, both left me wondering why the fascination with the Montessori method. I always wonder, is it because these Montessori schools in HK are not run well, or it's just not the way I agree with.

But haven't said that, there are some international critics about the Waldorf method, but mostly in the US, and the UK, where Waldrof schools are still young. Europeans, especially Germans & Scandinavians, like in Denmark, Finland & Sweden, seem to agree with the Waldorf method. Probably because they have the longest experience with it, hence able to see the results of Waldorf education on children.

 

[somebodyfamous]

I have to say I found the first day at school at IMS in Ap Lei Chau, confusing and I had no idea what was going on. (my girls were 18 months old)
Luckily another mum there advised me on what the children should be doing, how I should step back etc. and yes the first couple of weeks was me, learning the Montessori way (and yes I got into a bad mood sometimes cause I didn't 'see' the point) but now 7 months later my daughters DEMAND to go to IMS every day (even Sundays hahaa)! They also attend Baby Buddies (finishing this month), My Gym, Socatots and love IMS over all these other ones!

I've noticed that they concentrate more, they have different preferences and 'work' on different things. Their Mandarin is amazing (only cause I dont know what they are saying hahahaha).

So the only two criticism I'd give IMS is that they should prepare the parents more for the way of "Montessori" and cheaper tuition fees lol

Both my hubby and I are delighted with their progress otherwise. And I'm a much more relaxed mum when I'm there

 

[flo]

I have seen quite a number of messages detailing how the teachers would shout at the kids at playground in IMS. I have read in another thread how even school staff (in charge?) shout at other staff.

I always think our problem of rigid montessori will end if we have an AMS school...

 

[somebodyfamous]

I have never heard a teacher shout at any of the students at IMS in South Horizon or Morrison Hill nor the staff shout at each other...
Maybe someone is confused?

Montessori is RIGID?!??! hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha That's funny!!

 

[chungsara]

Hi, somebodyfamous,
Glad to see that your child enjoy the life in IMS.
I little girl who has just enrolled in the toddler class (19 months) in mid-April. She cried sometimes and even today cried more once the teacher approaches and not interested in the environment at all. How can I help my child to get involved?

 

[somebodyfamous]

Isn't it so tough when your child cries and cries? But of course a new environment a lot of children cry, I felt terrible when I had to be seperated from my children too. Are they allowing you to sit in the classroom with your child the first week? If not, request it, I find they will listen to parents and allow it.

Also I stopped taking my children to the class cause it was upsetting ME and upsetting THEM and instead asked my helpers to take.

Actually i have a long winded word document of these instructions to my helper to help ease my girls into attending class by themselves, pm me with your email address and i'll pass to you....

 

[flo]

anybody is sending their child to IMS primary? My daughter is happily enrolled at another montessori centre (so caring and warm). I am considering my options for primary school. Although there are reasons to deter me from considering IMS kinder (see my other posts), since IMS offers the ONLY choice in primary, i am still interested. can someone share their experience?

 

[flo]

somebodyfamous, AMI vs. AMS - my parent class instructor is AMS. There is only ONE AMS montessori in HK. All other centres and schools are AMI (including the one my daughter attends). After doing a 90-hour class in montessori, I have strong feelings about AMI vs. AMS. AMI is indeed, MORE rigid than AMS - even the way they train their teachers! Potential AMI teachers are asked to COPY notes by hand because A. they are supposed to remember it better and B. that was the way Maria Montessori did (since there were not printers and computers back then). I have seen my instructors' notes from her school days - you would think it is crazy in this day and age.

 

[somebodyfamous]

I have no opinion on that to be honest.

I agree that writing something by hand, you do remember better than typing on the computer though!

We plan to keep them going to IMS till they can go as old as possible. We think in 8 years time, hopefully there will be a great solution for the secondary years OR we wont be here.....