bad idea to do both Montessori and conventional preschool?

[Brownie~]

DS will be starting a 2-day, full-day Montessori program in September. He is 3, so this will be his first year of school. We belong to our local YMCA, and he's seen kids his age there doing "Kiddie Kollege," which is their preschool class offering. It is half-day, 9 to noon. He keeps asking me if he can go to it.

Would it be a bad idea to have him attend a day of "Kiddie Kollege" while also doing Montessori? I wonder if having two different sets of rules and two different approaches would be difficult to understand. Kiddie Kollege is conventional, with desks, set times to do set things, walking in line to the toilet at "toilet time," etc.

Over the spring/summer DS did a Montessori mom and tot class (6 weeks) with me, and he just completed a drop-off (2 hrs 1X/wk) "transition" class at his M preschool, which was also six weeks. So, he's familiar with Montessori and what to expect.

Is throwing "Kiddie Kollege" into the mix just going to screw things up? He's very energetic and spirited and also sensory-seeking, so I like that at M he can slide down the slide if he needs to, or lug heavy pails of water if he needs that sensory imput, etc...

ANy thoughts? Thanks so much!!!

[GuildJenn]

I think most kids are capable of adjusting to different rules in different places. The only concern I have is that he's only going to Montessori two days a week, so it may be hard for him to develop the concentration on the works (or it may take longer). But you've already made that decision so - why not add in the other?

[Brownie~]

Yes, 2X/week was not our first choice. In the area where we live, preschool admissions are extremely competitive. We didn't get into any public schools at all, and were wait-listed at our first and second choice private schools. So, it was a situation of taking the only thing we could get, unfortunately. I'm hoping next year we'll get into a 5-day Montessori program.

[sunshineafterrain]

Truthfully, I don't like the sound of the Kiddie Kollege
It doesn't sound developmentally appropriate (desks, set times. toilet time)

Based on your description of both it and your ds, I would pass on the Kiddie Kollege and find another program where he can socialize ~and move around, have more free choice

[lach]

I would do both. I think that kids that age accept routine pretty well, even if the routine is 2 separate activities.

Last year we didn't have DD enrolled in preschool every day, and she cried on the days that there was no school. That also influences my advice.

[northcountrymamma]

my dd is older than your ds...
however, just sharing out of my experience with meshing a conventional school system and montessori.

when dd was 4.5 we tried a 1/2 time at montessori and 1/2 time at public school. It was disasterous for her. She was so confused about what was acceptable at which place that it brought her to tears almost every night. We only did it for 3 weeks and pulled the plug on the public school and sucked it up financially and enrolled her in f/t montessori.

I am sharing because a montessori world is so child led and the system you are describing at kiddie kollege, well it sounds very much the opposite. It may be hard for your ds to articulate the difficulties transitioning between the two at his age...but watch for behaviour changes. Dd was older and still had difficulties explaining the issues to us.

socializing, moving around and having more free choice (as a pp mentioned) sounds really appropriate for the other days when not in a montessori program.

[Brownie~]

Originally Posted by northcountrymamma

my dd is older than your ds...
however, just sharing out of my experience with meshing a conventional school system and montessori.

when dd was 4.5 we tried a 1/2 time at montessori and 1/2 time at public school. It was disasterous for her. She was so confused about what was acceptable at which place that it brought her to tears almost every night. We only did it for 3 weeks and pulled the plug on the public school and sucked it up financially and enrolled her in f/t montessori.

Yes, this is what I was concerned might happen. As far as being developmentally appropriate, I am not sure exactly what their approach is, since they will enroll any child from age 2.5 to 5, as long as they are able to potty themselves. I called for more info, and apparently they have a packet that explains more in depth, so I think I'll go get that before we make the choice. But, it seems like I am leaning toward just doing the M program and maybe we'll supplement with other types of classes (gym time, whatever) that aren't so structured.

[~Amy~]

I would skip Kiddie Kollege because I am in no way interested in that type of environment for a my toddler/preschooler. I wouldn't be so worried about confusing him as that it wouldn't meet his needs.

[Brownie~]

Well, DH and I decided to put Kiddie Kollege on hold indefinitely. DS seemed fine with our explanation that Montessori preschool is plenty two days a week for now. Thanks for all the advice!

[3belles]

DD is going to a traditional preschool, and getting her Montessori at home with me. I think any Montessori is a great thing