Kids in Montessori more sick than other schools?

[HRJ]

Let me preface this by saying the reason why I even care about this is I am pregnant and due March 2 (had son 1 week early - so maybe a newborn in February).

This is my son's 2nd year in Montessori age 3-6 class. He's in kindergarten. His school is a magical place for him (well it was last year - I think the newness has worn off a little). But he would rather be there than at home. It's a well run program, and I feel he is learning, growing, and doing well.

However, he is sick ALL the time when school is in session. Last year he was sick w/ one thing after another. Nine illnesses (4 colds, 2 ear infections, 2 stomach bugs, 1 strep throat). I chaulked it up to his 'first year in preschool'. Plus we were in a new state - we seem to be sickest the first year we move somewhere. But it was a hellish year b/c just as soon as my husband got over what DS brought home, I got it, and then by the time we were all better, DS brought the next bug home. I literally had to take him out of school one week earlier than scheduled for Christmas break b/c my SIL was pregnant and undergoing chemo - we couldn't be sick on Cmas day.

however, one mom took her son (that was in DS's class) out after last year. he's in public kindergarten now. He was sick a lot (missed a lot more school than my son) and she wasn't going to pay the $ if he was only there half the time. She felt her friends w/ kids in other schools were nowhere near as sick.

Then this year, we have new friends there. She said her kids have had coughs and runny noses every day since the beginning of school. I asked if she thought it was Montessori since they are all touching the works. She said that her kids were at a different Montessori last year and never sick.

So is it something in the building? The building is about 10 years old - not brand new but not really old either. Are they not making the kids wash their hands enough? Is it b/c there are such younger kids in his class?

So far, he's had 2 colds and a 24 hr thing w/ a 101 fever. I just know being pregnant, we can't have another year like we did last year.

I just scratch my head b/c we eat well. We don't eat dairy and DS eats limited gluten. I've started to remove corn from his diet due to some NAET testing we've done. He gets Juice Plus, zinc, digestive enzymes, vitamin D, probiotic, and fish oil. I just don't know what else I can do.

But I am starting to doubt sending the next kid to this school.

[carmel23]

I've found that my kids are much healthier in Montessori school the public school. They have more opportunities to wash hands, and since the children are cleaning with nontoxic cleaning supplies, they are not surrounded by toxic chemicals.

Any child's first year at a school is going to be rough--whether that happens at kindergarten (if child has never been in preschool) or preschool.

And new schools children might be exposed to new germs...

We've been pretty healthy this year (knock on wood!). And my 3.5 year-old started school for the first time....

[texmati]

If multiple people are having the same thoughts as you, I would think it would be worth it to bring it up to the teacher or principal at least. Perhaps they could disinfect/wash hands etc more frequently.

[MJB]

My oldest is in Montessori (preschool/elementary) and just caught his first cold of the year.
My middle child is in a non-Montessori school (for K, but it's JK-12) and has had 2 colds this year, plus there has been strep and lice in his class (but he didn't catch them).
Honestly I have been in several schools and I think kids in preschool/lower elementary handle a lot of stuff (be it works or Legos/blocks/keyboards/etc) in any school setting. The "stations" in my son's school aren't any less germy than works.

[b_light]

I wouldn't think it'd be anything inherently Momtessori causing this. Like others have mentioned, there are manipulatives in regular preschools too.

It might be worth bringing up to the teacher, principal, or appropriate committee.

At our school, there is a white board in the entrance where cases of contagious deseases are written. No names, just the class. It helps parents stay informed and is fairly easy to implement. It's been useful for us as my son occasional has stomach trouble due to a wheat/gluten allergy. It makes it easier for us to distinguish a stomach bug from an accidental wheat exposure (which is all on us or the grandparents, the school hasn't done it yet..).

[nanette0269]

Well, for us, my son has not had any signs of severe allergies....and thats strange. Granted, maybe he has finally outgrown them, but this would be a first.

Both kids did get 1-2 days off of school during the first 2 weeks of the semester, but since then have been extremely healthy. No complaints here!

[Drummer's Wife]

All four of my kids are in/have been in Montessori, and are rarely sick. So, IMO, it's nothing to do w/the philosophy, and more to do with immune systems - particularly those in a 3-6 classroom. I think it's common for preschoolers/kindergarteners to get sick more often than older kids, simply b/c unless they've been in daycare, they haven't had the chance to be exposed to as many germs (plus just having been alive for less years, yk?).

[eepster]

Originally Posted by HRJ

Then this year, we have new friends there. She said her kids have had coughs and runny noses every day since the beginning of school. I asked if she thought it was Montessori since they are all touching the works. She said that her kids were at a different Montessori last year and never sick.

There is your answer right there, it isn't a Montessori problem, it is just this particular school.

There could be a number of possible factors going on.

• They don't emphasize hand washing enough. When I drop DS off at school as soon as his coat is hung and his lunch box is stowed they tell him to go wash his hands.
• They may not wash down various surfaces often enough. When ever I observe during circle time, the teacher who isn't leading the circle is cleaning stuff.
• Parents who are using the school as daycare while working may be sending their kids in sick, b/c they can not afford alternative care and can't miss work.
• Somebody at the school may travel to germy places (maybe volunteering at a hospital) and pick up many germs, but have strong enough constitution not to really feel sick.

Or, it could just be a coincidence.

[GuildJenn]

There are so many factors in illness. It might be worth asking about cleaning procedures for sure, but seriously - to add to the lists above it can depend on:

- how many kids have siblings and what THOSE kids are bringing home
- the particular cold & flu season
- whether your child in particular has immunities for the particular viruses going around that school (which may explain your friend's experience)

So - I'd probably mention the problem to the school but not expect that it's a quick fix necessarily.

ETA: Just to add - the ear infections and strep (I think) can be due to your child's ability to cope with the colds. My son has larger than average adenoids and tonsils - the kind that would have been taken out in a different era.

So when he gets a cold he is much more likely to develop a more serious thing. Plus then if he has to take antibiotics for one of those, it lowers his immunity for the next cold...it is a really vicious cycle.

[Rose-Roget]

Since it doesn't appear to be Montessoris in general, and only specific to this Montessori, I'd even wonder about a mold or dust allergen in the school that is not at the level of setting off full-blown allergies/reactions, but enough to cause congestion which can, in turn, lead to other infections/colds. ???

[HRJ]

Originally Posted by Rose-Roget

Since it doesn't appear to be Montessoris in general, and only specific to this Montessori, I'd even wonder about a mold or dust allergen in the school that is not at the level of setting off full-blown allergies/reactions, but enough to cause congestion which can, in turn, lead to other infections/colds. ???

See, this is what I wondered about. But how do you go about asking them about mold testing?

[HRJ]

Originally Posted by Rose-Roget

Since it doesn't appear to be Montessoris in general, and only specific to this Montessori, I'd even wonder about a mold or dust allergen in the school that is not at the level of setting off full-blown allergies/reactions, but enough to cause congestion which can, in turn, lead to other infections/colds. ???

But he'd had colds before and never had an ear infection until he started school. He nursed until he was 4 though - don't know if that helped.

[jnh896]

I had the same concerns as you. My DD has been sick more in her M school than she was in her traditional daycare. It surprised me because I did not expect this to be a set of parents that brought kids to school when they were sick. (More SAH parents than work- outside-of- home parents)

When DD was in daycare (18 months- 3 years), all the "manipulatives" were played with once and then placed in the sink for washing. It's impossible for the beautiful, wooden M materials to be soaked like plastic toys. I think the school would need another assistant just to follow the kids around and wipe down the works after each use. Our particular school can't use bleach to clean because of a septic system.

It would be worth addressing with your school director, especially if you know of other parents with the same concerns. GL!

[mattemma04]

My ds missed a lot of school in public K.When we switched to Montessori he did not miss as much.Only benefit with M was when I kept ds home sick I did not get in trouble.Public school required doctor notes for ALL illnesses.

Yea,it was kind of annoying to have him missing school that I paid for,but better he be healthy and happy when he did go to school.He hated public school.

10 years old she be old enough to have out gassed many chemicals.Maybe cleaners or bug sprays causing the symptoms in some cases?

It should get better after the first year in a new place.I was always told a kid misses more the first time they are in daycare/school,or with a new group. I give the kids lifeway kefir and immune boost gummis(vitC,zinc,echinacea).

For your volunteer hours you could offer to be in primary helping and cleaning.I have donated sprays,hand soaps,and sanitizers when I come across sales.

[bluebunny]

Another one chiming in to say it doesn't sound like a Montessori thing. My son is in his third year at Montessori and my DD is in her first year. My son has barely had more than a cold in all his years there.

I would wonder about the building or whether the teacher is enforcing hand washing. My children's Montessori had a seminar on hand-washing two years ago -- using soap, scrubbing hands for 30 seconds, etc. They really enforce hand-washing after using the bathroom, before eating, after touching your mouth or nose.

I would talk to the director about how hygiene is taught in the classrooms. Also, it might be worth mentioning your concerns about widespread illness. Surely if other parents notice this trend, the director has, too.