Update on Sally School
I think Sally has had dry pants for 3 days straight now. The difference this Montessori school is making is truly remarkable.
Andy and I attended a parents' education night on Tuesday, and it only served to reinforce that this school choice was ideal for Sally and well-serves our intention of raising a happy, healthy, creative and independent child.
The school owner (who also teaches there) and the teacher who led with her were both so enthusiastic about what (and how) they were teaching that we were truly inspired. We even got some ideas about things we could do at home to carry over the experience (some of which is already in place, some is coming).
Sally now comes home, takes off her shoes (we are a shoe-free home) and puts them in her shoe basket. We don't even have to remind her lately, she just does it automatically. She often goes potty without being reminded, she picks up after completing a task, she wants to wash her hands before she eats, and she's been even better-behaved at home.
I love this school!
What's more, on Tuesday night, we were taught several techniques the school uses (Montessori and teacher-created) to prepare her for reading adn writing. For example, all activities and play centers (they actually call it "work" such as "ok, if you're done, it's time to put your work away" or "would you like to come do this work with me?" or "what kind of work do you like best?") are set up left to right -- with the intention to get them tracking left to right in preparation for reading. (In other countries, it may be right to left, if that's how they read -- such as in Hebrew.)
Everything that looks like a game is teaching a number of skills simultaneously. It was really fascinating to see the intention with which these classrooms are decked out. Even I wanted to "play" with some of the "work" because it really looked like fun, but at the same time, Andy and I both really get how much she is learning each day.
As soon as Sally is completely potty-trained, she can go into teh Primary class, where she'll still get the life skills training, but also get into more stuff around math and language.
So the pressure is off now. :-)
I no longer am concerned that I'd have to home-school for fear of Sally being limited or boxed into the "institutionalized" thinking that comes from most schooling systems (public, private or otherwise). This school will take her (and Sydney -- who can start as early as 18 months, at a reduced rate for siblings, naturally) through kindergarten, and then we can look at the 2 alternative schools here in Castle Rock for what's next.
On another note, we bought Sally's big-girl bed last night. It's being delivered tomorrow. Hooray!!! Now I can continue my nesting and get the crib ready for Sydney.
Last night, Sally was playing with 2 other little girls in the play corner at the furniture store. The younger one started to cry, and Sally walked over to her, stroked her gently on the cheek, and said "It's OK, Honey. Your mommy will be right back."
Hysterical.
Her newest saying is "Whatcha name?" and when they answer, she repeats their name and says "Nice to meetcha."
Does it get any better than this???
Andy and I attended a parents' education night on Tuesday, and it only served to reinforce that this school choice was ideal for Sally and well-serves our intention of raising a happy, healthy, creative and independent child.
The school owner (who also teaches there) and the teacher who led with her were both so enthusiastic about what (and how) they were teaching that we were truly inspired. We even got some ideas about things we could do at home to carry over the experience (some of which is already in place, some is coming).
Sally now comes home, takes off her shoes (we are a shoe-free home) and puts them in her shoe basket. We don't even have to remind her lately, she just does it automatically. She often goes potty without being reminded, she picks up after completing a task, she wants to wash her hands before she eats, and she's been even better-behaved at home.
I love this school!
What's more, on Tuesday night, we were taught several techniques the school uses (Montessori and teacher-created) to prepare her for reading adn writing. For example, all activities and play centers (they actually call it "work" such as "ok, if you're done, it's time to put your work away" or "would you like to come do this work with me?" or "what kind of work do you like best?") are set up left to right -- with the intention to get them tracking left to right in preparation for reading. (In other countries, it may be right to left, if that's how they read -- such as in Hebrew.)
Everything that looks like a game is teaching a number of skills simultaneously. It was really fascinating to see the intention with which these classrooms are decked out. Even I wanted to "play" with some of the "work" because it really looked like fun, but at the same time, Andy and I both really get how much she is learning each day.
As soon as Sally is completely potty-trained, she can go into teh Primary class, where she'll still get the life skills training, but also get into more stuff around math and language.
So the pressure is off now. :-)
I no longer am concerned that I'd have to home-school for fear of Sally being limited or boxed into the "institutionalized" thinking that comes from most schooling systems (public, private or otherwise). This school will take her (and Sydney -- who can start as early as 18 months, at a reduced rate for siblings, naturally) through kindergarten, and then we can look at the 2 alternative schools here in Castle Rock for what's next.
On another note, we bought Sally's big-girl bed last night. It's being delivered tomorrow. Hooray!!! Now I can continue my nesting and get the crib ready for Sydney.
Last night, Sally was playing with 2 other little girls in the play corner at the furniture store. The younger one started to cry, and Sally walked over to her, stroked her gently on the cheek, and said "It's OK, Honey. Your mommy will be right back."
Hysterical.
Her newest saying is "Whatcha name?" and when they answer, she repeats their name and says "Nice to meetcha."
Does it get any better than this???
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