Preschool Classes Will Be Outside This Year In 9 Different Parks Around Seattle

the Montessori method of teaching, which to some extent allows children to direct their own path in learning

All that seems very good and intelligent !

Hi Muriel, hi everyone,

Did you know about Montessori schools?

NAMTA estimates that there are about 4,500 Montessori schools in the United States and about 20,000 worldwide.

( http://www.montessori-namta.org/FAQ/Montessori-Education/How-many-Montessori-schools-are-there )

They are not numerous in France.

130 établissements Montessori en France...
Malgré les efforts d'harmonisation de l'AMF, ce n'est pas parce qu'une école porte le nom de Montessori que vous y trouverez une pédagogie réellement Montessorienne.
Alors soyez vigilant et renseignez vous !

( http://montessori-france.asso.fr/les-ecoles-montessori/les-ecoles-montessori-en-france/
http://montessori74.free.fr/touteslesecoles.htm )

Hi Gerard, everyone !
Yes I know the Montessori method because a friend of mine's children went in one of those schools. I find them good because they respect the child's own pace. They can start reading and writing as soon as they are ready.

Why do you think France doesn't have many Montessori schools?

When my kids were young, my wife and I liked to read books about this type of experiments and I especially remember "Libres enfants de Sommerhill" by Neil so-and-so (I write from memory, there might be a mistake in the title).