Why 5 days for little ones? - Page 2

[mightymoo]

Originally Posted by Periwinkle

I'm not sure it's wise to compare apples to oranges, i.e., the needs and expectations of a 3 year-old are by no means comparable to what much older children much less adults need. This whole "start as you mean to go on" thing is often taken WAAAAY too far, otherwise, why not put 1 year-olds in "preschool" 5 days a week? Why not make 8 year-olds travel to foreign countries with little or no notice since that's what many adults who travel for business or in the armed forces must do. And speaking of what older chidren do, would you advocate homework for 3 year-olds, etc.

Babies and toddlers are not just small adults.

I agree. However, I still feel 5 days for a 3 year old works just fine, but it always depends on the child. My children love school and they are disappointed the days they don't go. Montessori is so laid back I don't feel like 5 half days is anywhere near as hard on the child as a similar regimen in a less self-directed program. As far as they know, they are just playing in a different setting. I would never put my 3 year old in a classroom type setting 5 days a week.

It does drive me crazy though when I tell people I'm considering elementary montessori for my daughter because I feel the learning style is suited to her and I want her to continue to love learning and not be turned off by the public school mentality they invariably say 'well she'll have to get used to it later anyway' as if not having them do it now means they won't be able to later.

[mtnjenny]

I just see it from my own experience as a mom and a teacher. My little ones are both in 5 days a week and they are both thriving. I personally don't think it's too demanding for them - they love the social community. Even my 6 month old loves her caregivers and reaches out for them every day. I find value in them having that experience. The school where I teach is 5 days a week and I see kids loving school and parents loving it too. Even though I'm a supporter of 5 days a week, especially for preschool, I totally understand that it's not right for every parent or every child! A big part of Montessori is feeling that children are more capable that we sometimes think, that they can surpass many of our expectations and take pride in that (in learning and daily independence - not business trips.) Some people don't agree with that, and of course I respect that.

Mighty moo, any new school is a transition, whether it's from Montessori or from "regular" school right? Your daughter will have great skills when she moves into a new program! Coming from a totally biased 6-9 teacher.

[spottiew]

Originally Posted by Periwinkle

I don't get the consistency argument. If it were that critical they'd be in school all day every day, 24/7. So at some point they need to get the heck out of there and go home, but then are they being "inconsistent" in the afternoons or weekends or whatever? Makes no sense. You're drawing a line randomly in the sand to say that 5 mornings is "more consistent" than 3 or 4.

thank you! i don't see that a 3yo needs to be on a 5-day workweek, they are not adults. they will never have so much free time again, they won't get the time back to just be themselves. school is just not the same as freeness at home... it's a bit of a moot point in my case, as now that i changed to a 5day workweek it's hard to go back, but i wish now that i had stuck to my guns and done 4 days... the school just dropped p/t options, and some kids do just skip a day a week on their own. the teachers are actually ok with it, it's the admins who think pt 'doesn't work'. i think it's financial, and of course, easier for them too.