Trying to decide what to do about preschool

[JamisJS]

I have never posted on this board before, but I have read many discussions in the forums.  I am not really doing any of the programs that are discussed on this site (YBCR, etc.)  I would really appreciate some opinions on this matter.

My son will be 3 on 2/16.  I have taken him to various mommy and me classes since he was about six months (never more than two per "semester").  We have done the Little Gym, music and swimming.  I have also taken him to Spanish class since he was 12 months.  I supplement by reading to him in Spanish, and we watch the Whistlefritz DVDs (which he loves).  This is the only class that has been constant.  We go to the science museum, library, etc. regularly.  (I am a SAHM.)

I have never really "pushed" him academically.  I have simply tried to expose him to things, and have let his interests guide our activities.  Currently, he:

*  Can recognize lowercase and uppercase letters
*  Knows the sounds the letters make
*  Can spell simple words like "cat" and "dog"--some I know he has memorized, but he does have the ability to sound out short words and spell them
*  Recognize and recite numbers to 20
*  Count 12-13 items
*  Finish patterns

This fall, I would like for him to start a part-time preschool program approximately 9-12 hours per week.  The school that I like has a Reggio/Montessori approach, and they offer Spanish, Music and Chinese as part of their regular program.  He would be in a classroom with children ages 2 1/2 to 4 1/2.  I have toured the school, and I think it is a wonderful program and a beautiful facility.  My husband is reluctant because he believes he will be around children who may not be as advanced in some aspects, and therefore, may be complacent or more reluctant to continue learning at his current speed/ability.  DH thinks I should continue with him at home, and continue to take him to separate classes (although now that he is 3, he will be able to go to the class and I can wait at the facility).  I am not sure if I am explaining his view thoroughly, but that is the gist.  I would love to hear  some opinions on this.

[Maquenzie]

I don't know very much about Reggio, but with Montessori the students work at their own paces so that would be less of a problem.  Multi-age is often great also for stimulating the younger ones, but that age grouping isn't the same as ours (3-6) which might benefit your son better (seeing 6 year olds reading and doing more advanced math, etc. vs 4.5 year olds who may just be learning letter sounds or at the same reading level your son is at now). 

So, I guess if I were you, I'd check to see how far the curriculum goes, and if possible what the typical older kids in the class are doing.  If your son would outgrow it quickly, will they accomodate him? Is the school structured more individual pacing (like Montessori) or is the class taught all together? My son goes to preschool (3-6 class) and their curriculum -as is- in the class can go to typical third grade level, so he's got plenty of room to grow there.  For my daughter's age range (toddler), their typical curriculum only goes to letter sounds, quantity to 10, etc.  I've not asked if they could accommodate her (she can read, and would outgrow the math curriculum before the class), but it's been a detterant for signing her up.

I don't think it would stunt him or anything to go even if he wasn't learning much as there are plenty of social skills and other random tidbits he'd be picking up on.

[Kerileanne99]

JamisJS-
I am inexactly the same predicament at the moment. My daughter A is 25 months old, and we are trying to decide whether to go through with her placement in the local Montessori school. I found that reading up on what to expect from a good Montessori school was very helpful in asking the right questions...I don't have the book references with me at the moment, but if you are interested, PM me and I will provide them...
When I spoke with the administrator, I was specifically concerned that my child would actually be learning something because she is already reading, counting, doing simple math, and languages, including ASL...One thing I discovered is that not all Montessori schools are equal!  Even though some are labeled Montessori, they might not actually be certified as such, and it may only be the head instructor that is certified...the others, including aids, may just be trained 'on site'.  So definitely read up and find out what you are actually getting for your not-insignificant amount of money...
One thing they are going to do for us that might work for you...because of A's birthday in December, if she starts in August, she will be one of the oldest of her toddler class...a dilemna, because like typical Montessori schools, they are normally broken into Three-year groups...the oldest help teach the younger, which is fantastic because the younger benefit from this, as well as the older kids.(it has long been proven that when you teach something to someone else, you actually understand it better and different pathways are created in the brain!)
And the teachers are supposed to be equipped to teach kids a minimum of three-grade levels above that which they teach, so Montessori methods are truly great for advanced kids-they are not forced to conform to a level they are beyond, and are expected to work at their own pace...
But, if a kid is routinely above grade-level in all areas, providing them with additional material in all areas can be. Frustrating for both kid and teacher, and isolating for kid...
The solution was, at least in our case, to have a placement interview.. I was worried that because Montessori materials tend to build on concepts and tools used at the entry level, that if she started out in an older setting that she would miss out...or that if she went with the younger set that she wouldn't be challenged! Ultimately, after her interview, the teachers opted to place her with the older, 3-6 group, but she will receive some additional training in the toddler basics...things like how to function in a Montessori classroom. Pouring water, putting her 'work' away, and strengthening her writing grip...
So definitely read up, go on a tour, and ask for a placement interview...one other thing..I was specifically interested in the fact that since they go by semesters,if A had started with the toddlers, would she be stuck there for the entire year even if she were bored, or was it possible to move her up mid-year if she just wasn't being challenged...I actually wanted this for her because I thought it would give her a chance to settle in...they don't like to do it here as it can be very rough on both student and teacher, but you might check at your school...

One other interesting note...Check to see if you are signing a contract...ours specifically ensures that after a 30-day trial period, we are locked into paying for a year, whether or not A actually attends!  This seems ridiculous, but their logic is that if she leaves, her place remains open for the rest of the year as they do not start new kids mid year! Anyway, just make sure you know what you are getting into!

[timandsveta]

There is a book that you may find useful "The Genius Behind Montessori", and if you have Kindle, it's $1.99 on Amazon till the end of January as their monthly deal. I'm reading it right now, and I love it. It answered a lot of my questions.

For instance, in Montessori programs, the children learn to write before they learn to read. My twin girls also know their letters and sounds and can recognize simple words, so I think that writing will be very helpful to them because I haven't taught them this yet and because I like the way Montessori program teaches them to. They first build hand muscles and coordination with special exercises (games actually), then they trace the letters, etc. It made a lot of sense to me.

We were able to find a small home-based Montessori program near us where all kids are together, so this way, my girls will get exposed to older more advanced kids as well as their peers at the same time. I liked it better than a large center (and less expensive too). Just my two cents

[JamisJS]

Thank you all for your responses.  I called the registrar at the school, and they said he would be in the preschool class for the 2012-13 school year, and would then move to the 4.5 to 6 year old class the next year(it's a combined pre-k/k class I think.). Here is their preschool curriculum overview:

Language development is enhanced through:
verbally communicating and listening to others
role playing and dramatic play
listening to music and singing songs
beginning to identify meaningful words - own name, etc.
listening to tape-recorded stories along with the books
making books and dictating stories for adults to write

Math skills are being formed while children play.  These activities involve:
shapes, sizes, patterns, and sequencing
sorting and categorizing
counting and comparison
measuring length and weight
graphing

Science concepts are developed by:
observing seasonal changes related to weather, plant life, animal behavior, and activities of people
sorting and categorizing items according to various properties
hiking the trails to observe plant and animal life and collect bugs and other small creatures for temporary observation
learning basic conservation of and respect for nature
growing plants from seeds and bulbs and observing and caring for them
discovering how magnets work

Social studies concepts are introduced by:
learning about similarities and differences in peers and their families
exploring the community on field trips and learning about occupations
sharing family traditions
experiencing a variety of multi-cultural customs
learning how people who have disabilities experience life
role-playing about families and occupations

Creative Art
Art experiences emphasize the process rather than the product.  Time, space, and the freedom to work independently help children increase their attention span, improve fine motor skills, have a successful emotional experience, and a sense of independence.  Art activities include:
drawing with crayons, pencils, chalk, markers
painting with brushes, feathers, sponges
printing with rubber stamps, potato shapes, utensils
cutting and gluing
sewing with plastic needles and yarn on various materials
creating collages from any combination of fabrics, pictures, 3-dimensional items, etc.

Motor Skills
Play time uses open spaces and equipment to build large and small motor development with:
climbers, trikes, wagons, bean bags
balls to kick and throw, sand to scoop and pour
bubbles, sidewalk chalk, painting at easel
simple games and sport skills
hiking and exploring the campus
movement to music

What do you think? All in all, I don't think he will be "bored.". Plus, they do have Spanish and music for 30 minutes each every week.  I wish it were an hour each week, but he would only be there 9 hours total each week.

[timandsveta]

It looks like a standard curriculum for preschool. I just found out that the wonderful Montessori school we were planning to enroll is closing in the summer because the lady's husband is relocating, so we're also looking. To be honest, it seems to me that most preschool list a variation of the same curriculum, and while it looks extensive, depending on your child's level, it may not be enough. Personally, I think the  to look for if you like the teacher (s) because this is what will be a determining factor in school success. Because of this, you have to visit the school and talk to the teacher. For instance, one of the schools we visited in the summer, which was a true Montessori, didn't click with me or my kids right away. They were scared of the teacher, and I just got a wrong vibe, so I knew right away that this is not going to work, regardless of how great their curriculum was. So, don't agonized over what they teach and look for a great teacher, see what the other parents are like in the school because it will determine what kind of kids you child will make friends with. I think this is the key, and this is what we're doing. Just my two cents

[JamisJS]

JamisJS-

One other interesting note...Check to see if you are signing a contract...ours specifically ensures that after a 30-day trial period, we are locked into paying for a year, whether or not A actually attends!  This seems ridiculous, but their logic is that if she leaves, her place remains open for the rest of the year as they do not start new kids mid year! Anyway, just make sure you know what you are getting into!

Yes we would be locked into a contract. I had never heard of this.  We have the option of paying a small amout for tuition insurance though.

[JamisJS]

It looks like a standard curriculum for preschool. I just found out that the wonderful Montessori school we were planning to enroll is closing in the summer because the lady's husband is relocating, so we're also looking. To be honest, it seems to me that most preschool list a variation of the same curriculum, and while it looks extensive, depending on your child's level, it may not be enough. Personally, I think the  to look for if you like the teacher (s) because this is what will be a determining factor in school success. Because of this, you have to visit the school and talk to the teacher. For instance, one of the schools we visited in the summer, which was a true Montessori, didn't click with me or my kids right away. They were scared of the teacher, and I just got a wrong vibe, so I knew right away that this is not going to work, regardless of how great their curriculum was. So, don't agonized over what they teach and look for a great teacher, see what the other parents are like in the school because it will determine what kind of kids you child will make friends with. I think this is the key, and this is what we're doing. Just my two cents

I have visited the school twice and DS was reluctant to leave both times.  One time, I had to literally peel his arms of the assistant director's legs and drag him kicking and screaming out the door.  (I was very embarrassed!)  I really enjoyed speaking with all the teachers in the preschool room.  And Ian enjoyed the materials we saw.  We are going to open house in March, and if he still seems to love it, I am 90% sure I will go ahead and put down the deposit.

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