This summer DS (15 mos.) and I have been attending a Montessori parent/infant class. It is a 90-min. 1x/wk. class where the parents basically try to stay out of the kids' way as they explore and interact. My DS has really enjoyed the class--acted immediately comfortable in the new environment, had no problem when I'd leave the room for a few minutes, roamed all around checking things out. The only challenges (for me and for him, as far as I can tell) is that he had to learn not to climb on the low tables and abide by their snack rules (kids have to stay seated for the snack). But generally things have gone great.
The school has a toddler class which is a 18-mo. to 3-yr. old class. Although DS would be 16 mos. at the start of the class, his teacher mentioned earlier this summer that she thought he might be too old, developmentally speaking, for the parent/infant class and old enough for the toddler class. We decided we would discuss it later. Now I'm thinking about it and wondering how to decide.
DS says many words and has been talking for a long time. We are able to communicate with him easily. He's generally very at ease with other adults and children and has seemed to grow even more gregarious lately, showing lots of interest in other kids and interacting with them more (offering things, letting them share what he's doing). This makes me think that he would benefit from the class. On the other side, I don't want to force anything on him. He still nurses, but does fine without when he's with DH for long periods of time. (I am with him most of the time, DH the rest.) Also, there are rules in the classroom, some of which he has had a fairly easy time learning and others which have been harder. He really likes to wander while eating, and that's not okay in the class (for safety reasons and to foster a sense of togetherness at mealtime). I don't know if that's just something he'd learn in time or if it's unreasonable to expect it from him (or put him in a situation where it's expected). The class would be three hours in the morning, three times a week.
I'm just curious to know if anyone else has thoughts about this, whether they're things to think about in making the decision, experiences of this type, or opinions. I am looking to draw the line between giving DS a situation I think he would enjoy and expecting too much from him. If you can share any thoughts, I appreciate it!
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The school has a toddler class which is a 18-mo. to 3-yr. old class. Although DS would be 16 mos. at the start of the class, his teacher mentioned earlier this summer that she thought he might be too old, developmentally speaking, for the parent/infant class and old enough for the toddler class. We decided we would discuss it later. Now I'm thinking about it and wondering how to decide.
DS says many words and has been talking for a long time. We are able to communicate with him easily. He's generally very at ease with other adults and children and has seemed to grow even more gregarious lately, showing lots of interest in other kids and interacting with them more (offering things, letting them share what he's doing). This makes me think that he would benefit from the class. On the other side, I don't want to force anything on him. He still nurses, but does fine without when he's with DH for long periods of time. (I am with him most of the time, DH the rest.) Also, there are rules in the classroom, some of which he has had a fairly easy time learning and others which have been harder. He really likes to wander while eating, and that's not okay in the class (for safety reasons and to foster a sense of togetherness at mealtime). I don't know if that's just something he'd learn in time or if it's unreasonable to expect it from him (or put him in a situation where it's expected). The class would be three hours in the morning, three times a week.
I'm just curious to know if anyone else has thoughts about this, whether they're things to think about in making the decision, experiences of this type, or opinions. I am looking to draw the line between giving DS a situation I think he would enjoy and expecting too much from him. If you can share any thoughts, I appreciate it!
