Moving to a new preschool

Our interview at Soaring Wings Montessori went really well. Ian was right at home in the Montessori classrooms. He tried out a few of their works. As usual he gravitated to the practical life areas. He wanted to play with the water works, but since it was summer none of the water works had water in them. He was thrilled to see the computer in the classroom, and wanted to spend time playing with that. While he played the director and I talked while she observed him. She loved him. He was his usual charming self. He carried on conversations with her. He was so excited to see the animals in the classroom. When they saw the gecko, Ian yelled “Hey, that is a leopard gecko, just like the gecko we have at our school.” I think she was impressed that he knew what a leopard gecko was

I talked to her about the reasons I wanted to move him. I explained how he does great in the classroom, but struggles when the surroundings get chaotic. I told her he has been struggling on the playground. She watched him and told me he seems like a totally normal 4 1/2 year old boy. She said she said based on our visit she thought he would do wonderfully in their school. I think he will do well too.

The main difference I see with the two schools is the way they deal with problems. Soaring Wings has a plan when they encounter problems. They talk about them to the student, then they talk to the parents and explain how they are going to work on it in the classroom, and what the parents can do at home. My friends have experienced this throughout their kids years at Soaring Wings. I also think they are more structured and more strict Montessori. I think it will all work out better for Ian.

I am feeling good about the move. I think it will be better for Ian. I think he needs a fresh start with new teachers. I think he needs to get away from the situation where the teachers are expecting him to act out. I am sure that he will have issues at the new school as well, but I am confident that they will be able to help him work through them.