New Montessori mamas...how's it going?

[Tine]

Hi, mamas. Today's DS's first day at Montessori preschool. (He's 2.5 yrs. old.) The drop-off went fine, according to DH, and we've just gotten a midmorning call from the teacher saying he's settled in, interested, and basically doing perfectly OK. 1 potty accident, but that was expected as DS is still very much in the potty learning process.

But I can't help being anxious anyway. This is such a new thing for him--and us. How are you other mamas w/ kids just starting preschool doing?

[nonconformnmom]

So far, so good. My husband does the drop-off and pick-up and you KNOW how communicative husbands can be. :wink But when asked, he says that the Montessori teachers have said at the end of every day so far "She had a good day." So, that's what I know. :LOL

I do know that she hasn't had a potty accident yet and she has started to use the potty there now (she had issues with letting anyone but us take her to the potty). The other day, out of the blue, she said something like, "kids lock me out, house. I couldn't get in," sounding sort of sad. I know they have a playhouse outside and I wonder if they weren't letting her in with them. I asked her if the kids were playing nice and she said yes and I asked her if they let her in later and she said yes. She's not yet 3, though, so who knows what the story is. Those things happen when you're a kid - it's all part of the learning and socialization process.

Tomorrow is her birthday and the teachers invited my dh to bring in some cookies and they would acknowledge her birthday in preschool. I know she'll get a huge kick out of that. :bouncy

[fluffernutter]

We're going on our 3rd week and we LOOOVE it! :D DD (who is usually kinda clingy) goes right in each day and sometimes doesn't even say 'Bye'. :( She has a little friend that she talks about all the time, and even got an invite to her b-day party. I just think it's the cutest thing. :)

She seems to really love Cutting. She comes home with at least one little bag of cut pieces every day. :LOL Apparently she likes Pouring a lot too. Today she got to Pour with the Tubes, she says. :) She was really excited about that. :)

[flyingspaghettimama]

Beware the cut paper scraps! They multiply like rabbits! :p Those and the metal inset papers...As if I needed more paper scraps around the house, in addition to my own papers...

[bridget]

Joshua (2 yrs 5 months) in now into his third week of Montessori Pre-School. He goes three afternoons a week. I'm a Montessori trained teacher, so he's had a bit of a head start with regards to his home environment.

He was fine when I left him the first afternoon - he told me to go after about ten minutes. We had a few tears on days 5 and 6, but now is happy when I leave. I was arriving early to pick him up the first few days, but now he's there from 12:30-3:30. He now has a morning sleep instead of an afternoon sleep.

I've noticed at home the last few days that he's playing less with his cars and is chosing more the Montessori type activies I have out for him.

One challenge I'm having is keeping Liam (12 months) out of Joshua's Montessori stuff. Before Liam was mobile I had quite a bit of practical lift stuff out, but have had to put it away as Liam was just pulling it all down.

[addax]

My ds had his first session this morning and loved it! We'll see what happens, but his main complaint this morning was that it was too short.

Fiona

[IansMommy]

My dd is 2 years, 10 months, and had her first session today. She loved it, and also has this new obsession (since she came home) wih cutting up paper into confetti pieces!

[nicema]

Not so good!!! :( Ds went for his second day today, and like yesterday, wasn't very happy. They have a phase in program, that allows me to stay in the hall in case he wants/needs to see me, and it happened every 10-15min, and cries if he sees other child crying, or if I insist with him to go inside the classroom, where I am not allowed. The first 7 days, instead of 2 and half hour, he will only stay for one and an half. I really hope this situation will improve with time. I also think because he is an earlier riser (usually 5:30am) by 11am he is tired and just want to nurse and sleep. Today after we got home and he fell asleep I just had to cry...I am starting school in november and really need this time to study, since I haven't done anything but being with him since he was born! Anyone with similar experience? Advice? Comforting words?

[flyingspaghettimama]

nicema, how old is your son? does the program start at 11 am, or what time does it start? can he come earlier when he is up for more?

[ebethmom]

My son is 4, and so far things are going well! There have been a few rough patches. Getting up in the morning is hard! We've worked on bedtime, and we're on a better schedule. Dh does the morning drop-off, and he only has *so* much patience for morning dawdling.

We had some difficulties with noon-time pick-up, too. All kids have to hold Miss Kelly's hand to cross the parking lot. But ds insisted that he could do it himself. After several days of fits and holding up the line, Miss Kelly suggested that we have a special treat waiting in the van. I was a little hesitant, not wanting to set an expensive precedent. But one time did the trick! His special water web Spiderman convinced him that he can cooperate every day.

Nicema - :hug Maybe you can just ease into a longer day. No advice here, just sympathy!

[nicema]

Ds is 3. His school starts at 9am. He wakes up usually btw 5:30-6am, and naps around 11:30...so I have been working on trying to get him to sleep at least until 6:30am, so he is not already tired by 11. I may try to come a little earlier and see how he feels... I started to give him some Nighty Night tea before bed, and it seems to be helping. I am opened for suggestions. I hope that he will get more comfortable with the whole school idea. I will also try to get some play dates with the other kids from the school, so he can be more familiar with some faces. I guess it is just a new phase for everyone, and it will be a matter of time so that we all can adjust. Thanks for your responses.

[psyche]

My son has been going for five days now. Today was the first day he did not cry when I dropped him off, although the teacher still had to carry him into the classroom and set him down on a spot. Luckily, the crying was less each time and he has always enjoyed the rest of the time so I don't feel *too* guilty.

[mamatojade]

Jade starts on Thursday. We had the home visit last week, which was a huge success.

She'll only go two mornings a week for three hours.

[SunRise]

This is my sons 5th day. He is almost three years old and is doing the phase in. This week his age group / new primary go 3 hours a day! Next week he will start full days.

He takes the teachers' hand, with an apprehensive look but brave :) and leaves with her. He showed me how he rolls up his matt, patting the sides to even it out.

Last week the teachers told me he was doing greatl and fitting in really well!

This morning his teacher told me she wanted to talk to me about extending his phase in ... so I am curious to find out what is really going on. He is shy and takes some time to warm up to things, other then that he is very well suited for Montessori so I was a bit surprised (especially since they told me his was doing so well last week) and am curious to see what she has to say.

Sara

[Bearsmama]

DS is 3 years & 8 months and this was his second day. He seems to be doing just fine-which I am thrilled about. I can tell that he is being a little brave. For instance, when I ask him how things went, he says with a huge, kinda fake smile, "GREAT, mommy, just GREAT!" And then he tells me just a little bit about the day, but not much. Today he said that he wanted me to stay with him while he was there. But besides that, no real hesitation. I'm crossing my fingers as we enter this brave, new world! :)

[velveeta]

Today was my DS' first day. I am also a trained Montessorian, and I am teaching in the *other* primary classroom. DS is 2y5mos old, and I really hope this is the right decision. Today did not go well. It was my first time back as a teacher, and my first separation from my son. After we came home, and DS went to nap -- I cried!

I know that transitions are hard. DS plays on the playground before school, and I am there, and then he goes to his classroom for about 2 and a half hours, and then we see each other on the playground again until time for the children to go home (noon).

I want so much for this to work. I love being a SAHM, but I sort of hoped that we could *both* get the best of both worlds. I'm so scared, but still optimistic.

DS cried on and off for most of the morning. Finally, they brought him to me, and he was fine after that. But, he would not return to his classroom.

Wow. I hope it gets better... for us both.

Jean

[Bearsmama]

Hi Ladies,
DS is now a few weeks in, and I think that the initial honeymoon period is over b/c he now will say, "I don't want to go today, mommy." Although, in general, I think he's doing well.

Here's a question since the whole school thing is new to me: Am I supposed to love my DS's teacher? B/c I don't. I don't love her. And I think that this is the first time I've had to think solely about DS and what he's responding to, and not necessarily what my *feelings* are. She's a very straightforward, very business-like (for lack of a better word) kinda women. She's not warm and fuzzy on any level. DS seems to respond to her well (I guess I'll know more next month after his conference). So, I don't love her. And I guess that's okay. Right? :scratch

[*Milk-Fairy*]

I have been gone from MDC for too long, I love that there is now a board for Montessori families! :D

My dd, Samantha, started the week after labor day, and attends 3 days a week (M/T/W from 8:30-3:00) She has had a hard time saying goodbye in the mornings, but absolutely loves her school!

she turned 3 a few weeks ago, and she really enjoyed her "Celebration of Life".

We've had similar issues as other topics I see on this board...guides that insist the children shake hands hello and goodbye (what happened to hugs?), a few accidents, etc. But things are smoothing out...she loves to shake hands, and cried the other day when her teachers were at a conference and she couldn't shake hands goodbye. We haven't (knock wood) had an accident in a few weeks!

She is still fairly clingy when we say goodbye in the mornings, but this is starting to ease somewhat.

I'm glad to see so many other montessori ap mamas! :)

Jen

[mammabear]

My son is three and goes to pre-K Montessori school. He is there Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 12:30 until 3:30.

DD went to the same school and we loved it. She adjusted just fine and we built a nice relationship with the assistant teacher.
Now the assistant teacher is the head teacher. DS seems to really like the way the classrooms are set up. Mostly he does work in the practical life room but is beginning to explore in the other areas now.

In the beginning we had one rough day. DS acted out in frustration. I think it was handled well and everyone agreed that he was tired and having a hard day.
Drop off was going great and pick ups were difficult. He didn't want to leave when I came. Now it's just the opposite- hard time dropping off and at pick up he runs out the door, loaded with excitment. I think he's just testing me out. Thursday DS walked in on his own with no crying or holding onto the door for dear life. We know that shortly after I leave he's having a great time.

This year it seems they have many more tools than they did when DD went. Smell tabs, touch tabs, etc...all different kinds of concepts are being explored. They gave us a great handout to look over at Open House which explained the methods which went even more into depth than I remember for DD's class.

We are seriously considering Montessori full time next year rather than public school pre-K. I look forward to extending his time to explore.

[Bearsmama]

Hi Mamas,
Thanks for this thread. I may have already posed this questions to all the seasoned Montessori mamas, but am I supposed to LOVE my child's teacher? I don't love her. She's just fine, a bit of a crumudgeon (sp?), and very blunt and straightforward (which I do like). My DS seems to respond well to her, but I guess I just wanted more of a "warm & fuzzy" personality to be my child's first teacher (maybe that's what I expected?). Anyway, any thoughts? TIA :)

[flyingspaghettimama]

I hear you. I really like this year's teacher, but I'm a little concerned about a possible next year teacher (next level up) for the same reasons you've stated. And they've got them for 3 years! I think sometimes the teachers can seem different to us than to the children; but if you observe you can see what you think in the classroom situation. But yeah, I hear you...if I wouldn't want to spend 10 months with a habitually grouchy person, why would my child...

But I think the child's feelings are fairly important too - ask if they like them or not. My kid has always been very upfront about her feelings about her teachers...

[Veloute]

My dd (3 1/2) is going 5 days a week 830-1200. She loves it! She is very social (only starting at about 3 years though) and loves her "lessons". I was worried, too, since this is the first time I've left her somewhere, but it has been harder on me! It's too quiet at home! I didn't even get a good bye kiss and hug the first day :(

We also really like the teachers. This is the first year for this school--it's a new one. The location is temporary (next to a bunch of offices, but there is fenced in outdoor space), but they are doing a great job with the space that we have.

She's in it for 3 years if all goes well and then I don't know what we do! There is no more Montessori after that (at least so far). Homeschool?

[Bearsmama]

Hi,
Can anyone direct me to a thread I *think* that discussed good questions for the first parent/teacher conference? I don't think it was within this particular thread, though. At least I can't find it.
TIA, mamas :D

[SleeplessMommy]

And I love it too :-)

He started 3 weeks ago at 1 hour/day, 5 days a week. And is now up to 2 hours a day. I bring some little projects and hang out in the parking lot. "quiet time" for mommy. Or I go to the hardware store and get something I need. He is doing dry pouring, map of world, puff balls, etc. Though he really wants to learn how to drive a bulldozer. He asked me last week: "Mommy, why don't we have 3 legs?" I said ask your teacher! He has been asking for cleaning equipment (dustpan, sponge, etc) and dusting the walls here. And doing sandpaper letters at school. He is 2 3/4.
We are very happy with the school so far. Now I don't want him to go to public elementary! The cost of Montessori will be another parental $acrifice for education! It will be worth it I think. Its important to us that he not be bored at school I think Montessori is the way to go.

[Bearsmama]

Duh. I found it. Thanks. Now you all can get back to the real conversation at hand!