Integrated Preschool

I think that the word you are looking for is Inclusion (disablity,) not integration (race.)

Inclusion settings are good for both Neruotypical kids and Atypical kids with disablities. Both groups score higher on standard assessments when compaired to children who are educated soley with like peers, however, you would be surpirsed to know that the children who score proportionally better than any other group are the neurotypcial children who are educated with children with disablities. They score the hightes of all the 3 groups (NT's wtih AT's/ NT's with only NT's/ AT'w with only AT's.)

M.

I've never heard of such a school here, how do u find out about something like that? That sounds like a great school honestly. Not only to give your kid a heads up on how different everyone is and for him to be used to things like that, but I bet they would definitely be alot more attentive to each individual child rather than a class of typical kids as a whole. What a great idea.

I'm not sure what you mean by integrated, but watching first before playing with a group is a learning/social style (my son is this way). They don't out grow it, and it's perfectly normal. Every year at teacher conference time the teachers say my son is so quiet, but once he gets to know how it all works, they have trouble getting him to shut up. He's gifted, he reads like a sponge (I have a hard time getting him to put recreational reading books down), he's funny (loves puns) and he's respected and looked up to at taekwondo, he's got a great group of friends and he generally gets along well with everyone. My son really enjoyed the Montessori preschool he went to. I think your son is doing just fine and will do well in any preschool he goes to.

My son did exactly what you are describing. He was a "peer model" in a preschool program through our school district. It was an incredible experience for him. He did it for two years.

Pros:
I wanted him in an academic environment, not a basement of a church somewhere. I wanted certified teachers (his had national certification) and I wanted him to get a feel for what his school would be like.

He went to PE, art, music, had reading buddies with third graders and was completely prepared for kindergarten. The bonus was that he had a poor pencil grip and the OT for the atypical kids helped him out.

He learned compassion. He doesn't stare at kids with disabilities because he interacted with them daily. Was not intimidated by braces, wheel chairs, etc. He learned patience with the kiddos that had learning disabilites. He would be paired with one and help them finish the project.

Cons:
He picked up on some poor behaviors. We fixed that at home with conversations about why they acted the way they did and how it wasn't okay for him to do that. He had to set the example for them.

Sometime, obviously, the atypical kids required additional attention, so my son had to take care of himself on occasion. This was few and far between, but it's something you need to be aware of.

Bottom line, ask questions. Lots of questions. How many para/teacher's aides are in the classroom to assist? How are behavioral issues handled?

It will be so helpful for some of these kids to have a positive peer model. Think about it, ask questions, and good luck!