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hmbress
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| Posted: Nov 24 2007 at 3:21pm | IP Logged
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I've been considering enrolling my oldest son (4-1/2) in a Montessori preschool for a semester or so, even though I'm taking Karen's online training, taking CGS training, have begun setting up a Montessori-inspired learning room at home, and there is no way that we could afford to school him (and the others) all the way through at a private school.
There are three main reasons for this. One - this child is quite advanced and since I'm just getting started with learning Montessori, getting/making materials, and setting up our learning room, I simply can't keep up with him. Knowing that his directress would be able to work with him at his level and pace is very attractive. I'm hoping that a semester or so would help me to figure out exactly where he's at in each area, give he and I more experience in how the materials are to be used, and give me a chance to get further materials/presentations ready for him. He would then also be better able to help the younger boys use the materials properly when they are ready for them.
Two - he is a very boisterous, high-energy boy and does not yet know how to behave in a group setting. He's enrolled in an Atrium right now and I was able to observe about a week ago for the first time - and was appalled at his behavior. He cannot sit still during presentations, he interrupts, he blurts out answers to questions while the others all raise their hands and wait to be called upon, he interjects comments and questions almost continuously - you get the picture. He isn't being bad, he just hasn't had the opportunity to learn to control his body or proper behavior in a group setting. He isn't normalized.
And three - I think I'm going to need extra time to focus on helping our soon-to-be-adopted ds (2 in January) and our ds (turned 2 in November) adjust and transition.
There is a top-notch private Montessori school one only one mile from my home - we could easily walk there when the weather allows. There is another Montessori school run through the public school system that is about a 15 minute drive and half the tuition cost.
Here are my questions (for anyone still with me at this point!): Will it be worth it? Or is it going to just be such a hassle getting three kids in coats/hats/boots/mittens/carseats twice a day, five days a week, that it will just make me MORE stressed out? Maybe I should just do our FIAR and unit studies and not worry about Montessori presentations right now. Except I think he is ready for so much more than that, at least intellectually.
As for opportunities for him to learn social skill/grace and courtesy, would I be better off just working with him at home, and taking him to more library story time type things for practice? It just seems like with Atrium only once a week, and library and other group-type events being quite sporadic, it might not be enough.
Is a semester of Montessori enough for him to become normalized and learn enough materials to be worth it?
It's hard to imagine him not being around half the day, five days a week. Will I regret the impact that has on our family dynamics?
Sigh. I'm praying about this and keep going back and forth. I'm hoping that someone here may have some helpful advice that I may not have yet considered, or have had experience with this and can shed some light on what to realistically expect.
Thanks SO very much!
Heather
These Thy Gifts
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folklaur
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| Posted: Nov 24 2007 at 6:47pm | IP Logged
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Okay, this is just my opinion.
I think it will stress you out more.
When I had one of my children in a preschool, for just three days a week, I felt like I spent so much time in the car, and driving back & forth. Getting two 2yo ready too? I wouldn't want to do it every single day.
Plus, you will be expected to do more than just drop him off and pick him up each day. There are parent meetings, and stuff to buy, and volunteer time that will be expected from you. Plus, if you DON'T like the way they are teaching something, or a particular rule, you really don't have much of a say.
Plus - trust me on this - when you pull him out you will deal with brand new guilt & questions if he starts saying how much he misses his "old friends" and his "old school."
I would work with him at home - like library time, like you said. It will be good for the little ones too. Just be more consistent with getting to group activites like that, where you can correct his behavior, etc.
If FIAR and unit studies are working, and he likes them....why change?
But that is just my opinion 
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Nov 24 2007 at 7:09pm | IP Logged
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I am going to come out on the other side. I think if it seems to you like a good fit for your son, that it will help him learn some positive life lessons, and it will give you a little breathing room to focus on your upcoming adoption ( ), then you might as well try it. It's only a semester, after all. It may alleviate any guilt you would feel over neglecting ds's education during your transition time, and ds may appreciate the opportunity to get away and do something "special." After all, even the best of 2yo's can be hard to take some times, and adoption always brings it's own special stresses.
In order to avoid the problem of him wanting to go back and be with his friends next year (if that is the case) just be sure to let ds know up front and in no uncertain terms that it is only for this one special time, sort of like a summer camp deal.
To me, it just seems worth a try.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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hmbress
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| Posted: Nov 27 2007 at 8:09am | IP Logged
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Thanks so much to both of you for your insights. You have each articulated very well the two sides arguing in my head  !
After more thought and prayer, I think I am going to try it. I think the stress of trying to keep up with stimulating Nathan educationally while helping the two littlest to adjust would be more than the stress involved with getting him back and forth to school. Plus I just feel like I want to step back and focus more on enjoying this time while they're all little. I want to do more reading, singing, dancing, fingerplays, arts and crafts, and less focus on academics. I want more time for organizing my home, keeping up with cooking (way too much takeout lately), and time to read, pray, and exercise. I've gotten away from ALL of this lately and just need a huge overhaul of how I spend my time.
I think with Nathan in Montessori, he can get his needs met academically without being pushed unnecessarily, and without me bumbling as I try to learn the method and get set up with materials. If he just wants to do practical life and sensorial sometimes, that will be fine, and if he wants to learn something new in language arts or math, that will be there for him too - but I won't have to be the one figuring it all out right now. It feels like a peaceful decision.
Thanks again for helping me to sort it out! I'll let you know how it goes.
Heather
These Thy Gifts
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Nov 27 2007 at 7:45pm | IP Logged
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I'm chiming in very late here but just wanted to say that if the Montessori class doesn't work out for you (for whatever reason), your ds can still practice good manners at the library story time. I have been taking my kids since they were tiny, and there was a learning curve for both of them as far as sitting still and being courteous, but they both did learn. We went twice a week when they were younger, but now we just go for the 3-5 yo time slot. It was a great way for them to learn to sit still and be polite.
But having said that, we still see kids every week, even older kids, that cannot sit still very easily. I think by nature these kids are just movers- nothing wrong with them, just naturally bouncy.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Enrolling child in Montessori school?
