DS is 3.5 and just started Montessori about 2 1/2 weeks ago. He likes it, and we have been thrilled with the school so far.
Tonight DS mentioned that he didn't get to walk on the white line today because he didn't show the guide that he was ready. When I asked him what that meant, he said he wasn't sitting cross legged. I asked him what he was doing, he said that he was sitting on his bottom because it was more comfortable. He spent the whole walking the line time sitting on his bottom watching.
He mentioned this as we were laying in bed trying to sleep- it was out of the blue, so I know it's on his mind. Honestly, I empathized with him. I told him that I was sorry he didn't get to walk the white line. He had really wanted to. I told him that if he really wanted to, next time he could cross his legs- but honestly this just seems stupid to me. It seems totally against the "no rewards and punishment" thing they have going on. They are a very peace oriented school, and I don't get why it matters how he was sitting to be able to participate in walking the line. Maybe I'm more overboard in my interpretation of no rewards and punishments. I do follow the work of Alfie Kohn, NVC, Connection Parenting, etc. so I'm sure my interpretation of things might be different than most peoples. Punishing him for not sitting in a certain way still seems petty, and not what I was expecting from this school.
I know he's only 3, and his story may well be different than what really happened. I also told him that if it's not comfortable to him to sit cross legged, that he could choose to just sit on his bottom and that I would talk with the guide about it- it might be a firm rule that they have, but I'd ask.
I can understand showing respect to the class by sitting still, not blocking other kids behind you, etc. but is it really necessary to sit one specific way? I will talk with the guide about it, but I wanted to get other perspectives on it before doing so.
Thanks!
Ellie
Tonight DS mentioned that he didn't get to walk on the white line today because he didn't show the guide that he was ready. When I asked him what that meant, he said he wasn't sitting cross legged. I asked him what he was doing, he said that he was sitting on his bottom because it was more comfortable. He spent the whole walking the line time sitting on his bottom watching.
He mentioned this as we were laying in bed trying to sleep- it was out of the blue, so I know it's on his mind. Honestly, I empathized with him. I told him that I was sorry he didn't get to walk the white line. He had really wanted to. I told him that if he really wanted to, next time he could cross his legs- but honestly this just seems stupid to me. It seems totally against the "no rewards and punishment" thing they have going on. They are a very peace oriented school, and I don't get why it matters how he was sitting to be able to participate in walking the line. Maybe I'm more overboard in my interpretation of no rewards and punishments. I do follow the work of Alfie Kohn, NVC, Connection Parenting, etc. so I'm sure my interpretation of things might be different than most peoples. Punishing him for not sitting in a certain way still seems petty, and not what I was expecting from this school.
I know he's only 3, and his story may well be different than what really happened. I also told him that if it's not comfortable to him to sit cross legged, that he could choose to just sit on his bottom and that I would talk with the guide about it- it might be a firm rule that they have, but I'd ask.
I can understand showing respect to the class by sitting still, not blocking other kids behind you, etc. but is it really necessary to sit one specific way? I will talk with the guide about it, but I wanted to get other perspectives on it before doing so.
Thanks!
Ellie
