2 yo son starting Montessori on Monday

[Oana]

Hi ladies!

I am nostalgic, excited, nervous and anxious as today is ds's last day in the Kindercare day care he has been attending since he was 8 months old.
We had a good experience there mostly due to the very sweet and loving teachers he has been having. He is now 2 and very bright. He is a focused little child, very interested in puzzles, books, language, blocks... I think Montessori would be a good match for his interests and personality. But he also loves to laugh, play with words, dance and sing. I am wondering if this side of him will get nourished at the M place at all. We decided to move him as I feel that the environment gauged to learning and solo discovery will best facillitate kearning, vs a less planned, "just" play approach.

Monday dh and I will take him there and spend about an hour with him, then take him home. Tuesday we'll leave him there for 2-3 hours, and from Wednesday he starts the all day schedule.


Any tips on how to make the transition smoother, what to watch for to assess his fitting in, or any other suggestions and encouragements?

THANKS A LOT,
Oana

[Drummer's Wife]

I have a feeling your ds will love Montessori! I'm not sure about the transition from kindercare to Montessori but it sounds like your schedule of phasing him in for a few days will work well. We did something similar in the infant and toddler classrooms I worked in. You will be amazed at what he's capable of and how independant he truly is. Hope it goes well, let us know!

[Lillianna]

To make the transition smoother I think it helps to be sort of nonchalant about it, neither hyping it up too much or downplaying completely. Follow the Director's lead, support school routines and speak in a positive manner about the adults there. Also, I think it helps that the child does not have much else scheduled for the transition week, lots of home time and time with Mom or Dad.
I'm sure you will all love it, you will do fine.

But he also loves to laugh, play with words, dance and sing.

In the best M programs, there are many opportunities for these activities.

[jdedmom]

My two year old is in his 4th week in the toddler class at Montessori. I still have to walk him in the school because he refuses to get out when the teacher comes to the car despite my 5yr old getting out at the same time.

However he is finally comfortable and only takes a few minutes to adjust before I leave. My toddler is very attached to daddy and the few times daddy took him to school was disasterous because he was very clingy. We have since established a routine that I am the only one to take him to school. One of the other toddlers was upset at drop off today and I contributed it to both mom and dad dropping him off as opposed to just dad.

It sounds as if Montessori will be perfect for your son. My sons teachers love to play music and sing and I am amazed at the quiet and gentle way they are with the children. (Our family is loud.) I am a bit surprised at the quick phase in period (our school did 1hr the first week, 2hrsthe second, etc.) but I suppose it will work out since your son is used to going to "school".

BTW I did have to send DS with his pacifier and "ba-ba" (security blanket) to help with the adjustment and he still uses it occasionally for comfort.

Good Luck.

[mamabeca]

Oooh - so how did it go??? I haven't had any experience w/the 0-3 classroom, only the 3-6 and 6-9. I hope he had a great experience today!!! WOOHOO!

[blessed]

Originally Posted by jdedmom

I still have to walk him in the school because he refuses to get out when the teacher comes to the car despite my 5yr old getting out at the same time.

The teacher comes and gets your child out of the car? I never heard of that...

[Riley Mo]

Curious to hear how it went as well. My 3 year old ds started on Monday and it went suprisingly well. Much better than we anticipated.

They get the children out of the care at our M school, also. You drive in a circle drive and the teacher greets then in the car. I like it!