Some concerns/questions about Montessori

[cycle]

My son is starting Montessori at the end of August among just being nervous about changing him (see thread below), I have a couple of other concerns.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=945722

DS is really laid back, but occasionally he has a hard time at drop off. At the new school (the Montessori) most of the time the drop-off will from the car, meaning the staff will be outside and ds will go with them directly from the car. I actually think this is better for him but for the times that I take him inside (when we get their early) the school discourages parents from coming in the classroom for drop-off and discourages hanging around. I understand this completely and I know that the times that ds is not wanting me to leave that he is fine seconds after I walk out the door. My concern is that now his preschool when this happens one of the teachers will engage him, talk to him, hold him, give him dedicated attention to comfort him with my leaving. I am afraid that this will not happen at the Montessori school, am I reading this wrong? I don't want him to not be comforted through the transition. By the way, I am not talking about crying and screaming, its just a little bit of hanging onto my skirt and whining, he is not overly upset or crying.

Any thoughts on this?

[alegna]

I think it really depends on the school. *MOST* montessori schools I'm familiar with will comfort through that. Many also allow/encourage the parent to come in to ease the transition.

good luck!

-Angela

[Mum2JocelynAngus]

My little guy sounds like yours - a bit of hanging onto me, asking me to stay (he even offers to get a work out for me). But, his directress is a master at immediately engaging him & getting him busy as soon as we get to the classroom door (where we do the drop-offs at our school), & the sooner I leave the sooner he is busy. I wouldn't worry too much about it: remember, the directress has been through this with hundreds of kids by now & is probably pretty good at handling it!

[BCFD]

I think this is every mother's nightmare. When my now almost 4 year old started in Feb. she was very clingy and shy and scared. Every day was the same "Mommy will you stay?" to which I answered, "I will stay as long as you need me" knowing that her guide would get her busy immediately and knew how to comfort her. We could only get her in 1 half day per week in the beginning, so the lack of consistency was obviously the issue. Then she got 2 half days per week and now she has been 5 half days per week since the beginning of May and she rarely asks me to stay (maybe once a month). Today they were on the playground, she saw me, said "hi mommy", kissed me through the fence, and ran off and never looked back for me.

That first month or two was rough, but as soon as she got into her routine she was fine. Most guides (good one's anyway) will keep the child close, speak softly, and engage with them. Good luck and hang in there, Mama. It'll be ok.

[cycle]

Thank you to everyone who responded, it makes me feel much better. I feel really good about the school and I feel very good about Montessori. I guess I am just worried that if the school isn't as "comforting" as his current preschool that will make it even harder to adjust to the new school.

[wrzos]

I know at our school, the assistant and teacher are in separate places. The asst. gets the child from the car and brings them to the teacher, who welcomes each child, assists them with their shoes (if they still need it) and is there to provide any comfort measures necessary, although usually once they've gone a few days that simply involves getting them involved in an activity that they've already been shown.

[Katie063008]

I wouldn't worrry. At my school the casa children are always greated by an assistant/staff member and anyone who is upset gets lots of comfort. Even elementary children ( I teach elementary) who are upset get brought to the classroom. Once they're there and the routine is familiar children will calm down.

[cycle]

Thanks! I am sure that this school will be supportive and help him through any issues, I am just having a hard time because I feel like I am ripping him out of his comfort zone that is his current preschool.