2 Preschool Questions

Terrific school at the corner of Laidlaw and Kaiser. I would recommend that you should meet them/speak to Shelly the director and lead instructor. Small program, low student-teacher ratio, very nurturing. Country Kids Learning Center. It operates out of Shelly's home, but don't let that detract in any way from what a great program it is. I was one of those parents that was against any in home setup, but this school is a completely separate and remodeled part of the home and very clearly set up as a preschool permanently, it just happens to be located in a home rather than a church or other commercial space. Speak with them and see the school. www.countrykids.info

I wish I could offer you a spot in my school, but I'm full right now. But, I have heard really good things about the preschool at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Johnson in Aloha. I've never visited it, but I have heard several people talk about it with all good things. You also might consider a Montessori school (that's what I own), because there tends to be a lot of focus on language development and a lot of time for children to guide themselves a bit, along their own comfort levels. Also, you mention he is in speech therapy; does he have an IFSP? If he is involved with early intervention, there may be a preschool placement that could be part of his IFSP, and it would be free to you. Good luck!

I would consider carefully what your son's speech pathologist is saying. She has training and experience and get paid for what they do and know. If you don't have to have him in preschool, I'd not put him in preschool. Learning to talk is very important. He will have difficulty with the other kids since he's both shy and speech delayed. You want him to have success with his first attempt at learning social skills. Otherwise, shyness is more apt to be a life long difficulty.

My grandson is still unable to speak clearly at age 7. He's been in special ed for the past two years and was in day care before that. He's definitely not shy but he does have difficulty getting along with children. It's my thought that learning to speak takes precedence over learning social skills. Once he's able to talk and relate to children with words he'll learn how to relate to other children. He may need help learning that too but you can help him with social skills at any age. Now is prime time for learning to talk.

If you're wanting him to learn some basic school stuff, such as colors, letter, numbers, shapes you can teach him those things at home.

My grandson went to a therapeutic preschool that is a part of the school system. He did well in that setting. The school system had him in Head Start before that and it was a disaster. He did not get along with teachers or children. He was so frustrated at not being able to get himself understood that reinforced his tendency towards hitting and kicking.

Check with Beaverton Public schools and see if they provide a special preschool (not Head Start) for children with learning difficulties. That might work for your son. But I suggest, since he's so shy, it might still be best to keep him at home, or if you need day care, in a private home with just a few children and a warm and supportive provider who will work with the therapist.

Putting what your son learns with the therapist into practice, daily, is also important. I know you can do that during non-school hours but I suggest that the consistency of home will help him more than preschool.

Hi,

I know that there are many different levels of speech at preschools and most kids don't think anything of it - they may not notice or they may ask why he speaks different, but then they seem to goon with their day thinking that everyone is different and that is ok. I can recommend Gaarde Christian in Tigard and Noahs Place in Lake Oswego, but it really is closer to Tigard....

I agree with Marda and that it might be worthwhile for you to check into the options available with the local school district. One other option to consider would be a cooperative preschool. I generally find that they are much more receptive to input and are more inclusive-- a good fit for children who might have some special needs. In addition, an underlying concept in most coops is building community and support which is something your son and you could probably benefit-- heck, all of us could benefit from that! It might be worth a shot for you to have a conversation with a couple of co-op preschools and the teachers there. Best of luck! You are doing an awesome job advocating for your son!