At what age would you send DC to Montessori School

[FallingLeaves]

Some of the Montessori schools in my area have toddler programs. My DD is 26 months old and I am wondering if would be best to enroll her now or wait until she is 3. How old was your DC when you enrolled them in Montessori School?

[supervee]

31 months, this fall. There is a toddler program here. I'll let you know how it goes! Did you do an observation yet?

[Terabith]

Depends on the kid and the program. I know some friends who have started their child in a part time Montessori program at 18 months and their child LOVED it. But the child didn't have major separation anxiety, liked new experiences, and it was a small, very nurturing program. My dd started at 27 months and loved it. (Well, until she was almost three, but that's another story.) Some kids do great from very young. But my younger dd I am planning on waiting till she's three. She's much clingier and doesn't like other children. She'd love a mother child Montessori class, though. If only there was one! She loves all the activities and such, just not other kids or being away from mama.

[wrzos]

ds will be starting in a couple weeks at roughly 34 months. I actually think he was ready earlier, but we didn't have the option for him to begin in the spring of this year... Of course, we'll see how his actual start does in a couple weeks!

[Melda]

My dd started at about 28 months. We have a toddler program for 15 months and up ... but there is no way i could have put her in so young ...

[supervee]

Yes, ours starts young, too... 18 months. I would have been fine with it, but DD would never have agreed to it! She will actually be the oldest by far in her little pre-3 program. She will enjoy it... She likes to take care of little ones.

[tbone]

Ds started at 34 months. The school only has primary and elementary classes, so toddler program was not available. If it had been, I would have put Ds in it, he has never had any seperation anxiety, is very social and loves being around other kids, so it would have been good for him.

[GuildJenn]

We were going to start around 3, but I had a job offer and 'cause of instability with my husband's work I took it, so my son started this month (he turns 2 in a couple of weeks).

The toddler programme is tiny - 6 toddlers, 2 teachers - and tags along with the Casa quite a bit (also fairly small). So far although this is not maybe my ideal I have been impressed by the warmth and care from the staff who have held my son most of the day when he needed. I think it depends a LOT on the Montessori, because some I visited were much more formal and less warm feeling to me, but I am glad about this one.

[cmeey]

between 3-4 years ago. not any later than that.

[maybemom05]

Ds will be starting a toddler class in a few weeks at 22 months. For us, it was a combination of factors: 1) I think he's ready to go and the program is both small and nurturing 2) I need reliable part time child care for work, and I'm loosing my sitter this fall - looking at cost/safety/ "goodness of fit" for my kiddo, school just seemed like the best choice at this point.

I think it's going to work out beautifully - I'll let you know how it goes.

[nest~of~four]

Our DD started precisely when she turned 2 y.o., she had separation anxiety for only about one week, now she absolutely loves going. I think adaptation varies from child to child, and possibly (but this is only an assumption) from school to school. Good luck.

[nkm1968]

what age..

We started both dds at 15 months, the earliest the toddler program would take children (we both work); however, if there had been a REAL Montessori Nido/Infant class, we would have definitely enrolled then. It is just that there are no infant classes anywhere near us, but we did participate in preparenting Montessori classes and (Saturday) parent-infant classes too.

[Zadee]

We are on the wait list to enroll our twins in the toddler room at either 18 or 20 months, depending on when there are 2 slots available. It's only for 3 hours in the morning, and it isn't every day of the week and is a very small program. I can't wait. The poor kids - who LOVE new experiences and are almost absurdly outgoing - are bored at home with me, and taking twins out is hard. It will be so good for them.

[zaadad]

I believe it depends on the child and the program. Our oldest switched from traditional school to Mont. at the beginning of 4th grade. He adapted just fine, he went through a tranistional "stage" for about a month, but they told us that was normal.

Our next to oldest began when he was four. Our 3rd DS will be starting on Monday...he is 3. DS2 wan't ready at 3. I'm sure we will try DS4 at 3. It is much easier to get into the school when they start at 3 as opposed coming in the middle.

CR

[LilMama23]

The only Montessori school around here does not have a toddler program, so they start at 3.

[mightymoo]

Our M school does not have a toddler program, but if it did I'd send DS (26 months) - but mostly because I need the break, not because he needs it.

[JBaxter]

Nathan was 2yrs 9 months when he started his 2 morning a week toddler program.

I would not have done any more days than 2. He was already potty trained but most were not.

[trimomma]

Dd is starting a three morning a week program on Monday. She's 3y9m. I think she's one of the oldest kids in the morning program. that are just starting school this year. The school has a toddler program, but I didn't think dd would be ready for it.

[panamama]

DS didn't go to montessori, but i did. started @ 25 months and went until it was time for kindergarten (at which time my mother put me in PS). like others have already said, i think it really depends on the child, but i know i LOVED it. my earliest (and some of my fondest) memories are from montessori. i still remember some of the songs, and the routines we had. and my oldest friend is from montessori...we've been friends since we were 2! we once ran into one of our old teachers, when we were 19, and she recognized us right away. she hugged us tight and after stepping back to give us a good look, she said, "you two still play together?!"

[supervee]

Originally Posted by panamama

DS didn't go to montessori, but i did. started @ 25 months and went until it was time for kindergarten (at which time my mother put me in PS). like others have already said, i think it really depends on the child, but i know i LOVED it. my earliest (and some of my fondest) memories are from montessori. i still remember some of the songs, and the routines we had. and my oldest friend is from montessori...we've been friends since we were 2! we once ran into one of our old teachers, when we were 19, and she recognized us right away. she hugged us tight and after stepping back to give us a good look, she said, "you two still play together?!"

Oh, that is very sweet! I hope my DD will tell a story like this later in life!