My son (2 yrs 8 months) has been at the same child care center since he was an infant, and we have been really happy there (friends' kids have gone and it has a great reputation). However, in the three weeks since starting in the preschool there, he has stopped sleeping well, started wetting the bed, developed some discipline problems at the school and last week he started saying very firmly that he does not want to go to school! Although he's always playing happily with his friends when I pick him up in the afternoon, he never wants to stop and show me his work or talk about his "school day."
We chose this center on the strenght of it's infant program 2 years ago, so I'm wondering if maybe I should have investigated other preschools when it was time for him to move classes.
A few things about DS:
My son is the youngest child in his class by a few months. He will not be 3 until the beginning of January. So that may account for some of the transitioning issues.
Physically, his is very big (over 39" tall). Much taller than kids his own age and many kids even a year older.
He is very strong willed and independant and has a tendancy to manipulate (I mean this in the most loving way possible) gentler or younger kids into following his plans.
He is quite verbal although he frequently talks too fast, mumbles and or studders so it can be hard to understand him, plus he doesn't pronounce ANY consonant blends (sk, sn, st, pl, pr etc)
Accademically he is pretty bright. He knows the printed numbers and can count objects to 20. Understands addition using objects to count. Also, he knows all the letters and their basic sounds, which ones are vowels, can "read" and spell a few sight word and sound out simple words phonetically. He asks a million questions about everything, and likes to talk about Presidential politics.
Okay I'm making him sound like a big, bullying, funny-talking, nerd and that's not really the case, he just isn't the kind of kid who does well with a pre-set program for kids who are all supposed to be at the same chronological/developmental/intellectual level.
I don't think his preschool is a "bad" school, infact I think it's very good, I'm just wondering if there is something that would be a better fit for my little guy. I'm thinking Montessori, but there can be sooooo much variation with schools who say they are Montessori schools, and I'm a little concerned about him not getting enough discipline (as he is quite willfull).
If you've made it to the end of this THANKS! Whatever advice or insight you ladies have will be appreciated.
Thanks a bunch,
T.
Little London Montessori was very structured and advanced when I interviewed them for my daughter. I was looking for a little less structured for her so we didnt select it for her preschool but it sounds like it my be right for your son. It is located in Elk Grove off of Laguna Blvd across from Target.
Look into Bergamo Montessori. They are an accredited montessori. I took a tour and fell in love!
I don't believe you mentioned whether or not you have talked frankly with his teachers and the director of the preschool about what is going on. If you haven't, that is the first step I recommend. You may be able to find out if there is some cause there for him having these difficulties, and it may even be that the teachers are not aware if something is going on. I'm sure, being a teacher yourself, you understand that we do our best, but sometimes miss seeing the whole picture too.
After having a talk with the school, you might be able to resolve the issue there. If not, perhaps looking around at other programs will be the next step. I agree with you about Montessori schools not always being the same... and many use the name but do not really use the Monessori program. You didn't mention where you are located, so I don't know if I have any information on schools near you that might be of help. I'm no expert on the schools in the area, but have visited a few, and worked at a couple, so might happen to have some information on schools near you. If you'd like to email me directly, I'd be happy to see if I can help any further. I wish you the best in resolving this. Your little guy deserves it, and you deserve the peace of mind. It sounds like you are thinking along the correct paths, and I hope this has been even a little bit helpful.
Maybe you can find a preschool that sets its classes by the academic level not the age. My son's preschool seperated the children by level not age.
Wow T. for a second there I thought you were talking about my son except for the age. First - we all know that if you COULD STAY at home, you would.
I am having the same issue as well and I just talked to the teacher and we will be seeing how it goes. Everything that I have read or people I have talked with said its because they are overly tired. So tired they can't sleep, which I don't understand right now.
Hi, My son is 4 and in his secong year of preschool, if he were to regress like that I would have a discussion immediately with the teacher. I would also show up unannouced a few times just to see what was happening. We are in a parent co-op preschool that is an awesome program. It is Center inclusion co-op preschool in Antelope.
Stay home and take care of your son.
