Monday, May 19, 2008
Our Visit to a Local Montessori School
I found out that we have a Montessori school about 20 minutes from our house when O was about 3 months old, and I immediately called and put her on the waiting list. The lady at the school said that they were full for that year, but she would be on the list for the next year. There was a shocked silence when I told her that O was only 3 months old, and I wanted her on the list for 2009! She said she would create a list for 2009, and O would be the 1st one on it. I'm sure she thought I was a little crazy :) Last Tuesday I saw an ad in the paper stating that the Montessori school was having an open house for parents and children ages 3,4, and 5. I wasn't sure if we should go since O is not yet 2, but I called and left a message. The preacher (the school is run by an Episcopal Church) called Sunday morning and told us to come. Elliott and I were excited and a little nervous. We were VERY impressed with the school. The teacher and the preacher were very friendly, and I loved how everything was set up. It was great to see all of the Montessori materials "in real life" instead of just on the internet (I'm definitely planning on getting the sandpaper letters and metal insets very soon). O was shy at 1st, but then she was a little overstimulated and was into everything. I was a little nervous because she was grabbing everything, and I was afraid she would break something. I was also surprised because she is not normally like that at all. However, it was an unfamiliar environment, and her nap was cut short since we had to wake her up to go to the open house. O loved the live turtles and gerbil best of all. Good thing we have a lake FULL of turtles for her to love and observe (sadly we never found tadpoles, but we'll try again next year). The school currently has 10 students ages 3 to 6, and they will take up to 18 students. O MIGHT go to this school when she is 3, but I am not sure since its a 5 day a week program. We do not want her to go 5 days a week when she is 3. The teacher said they may work with me on setting it up for her to go just 3 days a week, but I'm thinking that I would like for her to start with just 2 days. I'm also hesitant about sending her because we are both loving homeschooling so much. I can't stand the thought of that ending. However, I know it will be good for her to go to a "real school" for a couple of years and make friends. She'll also have access to a lot of materials that we don't have at home. Then she'll be back home when she's 6 for more Montessori Homeschooling.
I just loved my visit to the M school. I wish I could go back periodically to get new ideas but I guess that would not be fair!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun visit to the school. It is fun to see how others set up their environments.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post about this. CJ will be 3 1/2 in July, and I've known she'd be homeschooled for quite awhile, so I never really thought much about preschool. I'm fascinated by your idea of doing preschool and then bringing O home to be homeschooled. Great food for thought!
ReplyDeleteI think a 5-day a week 1/2 day program is perfect for three-year olds. They need the routine at that age, they need to where they will be everyday, and will have the classroom to look forward to everyday. They form friendships that will continue on a day to day basis, and they learn social skills on an everyday basis. They get to know the materials well, because they are using them everyday. They benefit by being away from Mom everyday in that they can become more independent, they can learn to think for themselves and voice an opinion. They would also have lots to share everyday (if they are the sharing type). The children who go to school everyday are also able to get much more out of the environment than if they were only there 2-3 days a week. This is the perfect environment for 3 year olds - why limit it? Something to think about!
ReplyDeleteI am a preschool teacher and I agree with lindart. The school where I work allows 3 year olds to go just 2-- 1/2 days per week and those children are almost always the ones who have a tough time. The time between classes is too long for school to become familiar and it takes a long time for them to feel comfortable. If I had my way, I would set a 3 half day minimum although I think 5 is better. The only problem I see with a 5 half day schedule is it can be limiting for family activities and flexibility.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments! I agree with you that 5 days is a good thing, but its not for us. I'm pretty firm that O will not go to school for more than 3 days when she is 3. She may not go at all. We'll see. Nothing is for sure. We still have more than a year until we have to decide :) So, for now, we'll just keep enjoying our homeschool adventures!
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