He’s going…
He’s going…
…He’s gone!!
14 Months: Birch Can Walk!
(Writing that, I can’t believe there are children who walk at 7 months!)
Birchie is a full-time walker these days! It’s been such a funny progression to glance over and see him vertical! His balance has gotten so much better too, and while he’s still occasionally falling down, he can cross a room before he wobbles. I’ve even seen him run a few times!
Also, He Can Talk!
He’s consistently saying hi, bye, mama, dada, “bro-ber,” Guh-Guh, and thank you. And he’s signing more and help. He knows his tummy, head, nose, toes. And more things that I’m forgetting right now! I love that we’re entering into basic communication. Recently he started pointing to his diaper when he needs it changed, and he even led me to the changing table a few times to do it. (He’s not the biggest fan though!)
Choosing A Preschool
It’s hard to believe that we’re already thinking ahead to choosing a preschool! But applications for next fall (when B will be turning 2) are already due. Mazen did four years of preschool split between two different church programs close to our house. (Three years at one, and a transitional kindergarten at the other because he has a fall birthday.) He went just two days a week for the first two years and then two years of 5 days with an extended lunch/early afternoon. While I was happy with both of Mazen’s schools, we’re looking for something a little different for Birch.
One main factor affecting which school we choose is a more consistent day.
While sending Mazen only two days a week was the least expensive option at the time, we’re looking to send Birch five mornings from the start. I think the consistency will be great for both of us. The director we met with said the five day toddlers tend to adjust much quicker than the 2-4 day ones. That certainly rung true for Mazen who did not enjoy preschool drop off his first year (but was fine five minutes after I left.) And of course having five mornings where I can have the freedom to work anywhere, schedule meetings, and have some flexibility is absolutely priceless.
We love the concepts of Montessori
I’ve had many friends sing the praises of the Charlottesville Montessori schools, but I had not been in a classroom before. Observing a tiny human preparing her own snack and sitting down to eat it was nothing short of amazing. We think Birch, who is fairly independent, will thrive in this environment. (Also Thomas LOVES the word “work” and that the children’s activities at Montessori are called work 🙂 )
Location
While it was incredibly convenient to be able to walk across the street to pick Mazen up his last year of preschool, this new school is still within walking distance for days when the weather is nice. You won’t find me driving 20 minutes in traffic no matter how amazing a program is. So location in choosing a preschool is always a top priority.
Everything Else
I don’t mention things like kindness of teachers, an emphasis on academics, or facilities because I think almost all the preschools around here have good foundations in these. And after all, Birch will only be 2 when he starts! We mostly need loving caretakers and a safe, happy environment in which he can begin to instill a love for learning.
{Photos by Cramer Photo!}
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Cute photos! I’m glad you’ve selected a good school for baby Birch! Montessori schools are really popular here in Hong Kong too 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Hailey says
Totally agree on consistency. My daughter was in full time daycare for four years. This year I’m staying home with her (and baby bro). We out her in preschool 2x/week to keep some formality to her week but to be honest, she’s not getting much out of it. I took this year off from work to be with my kids so I’m happy we didn’t do full time preK, but I almost wish we hadn’t done any at all.
Next year she’ll go to kindergarten, baby will be back to daycare and I’ll be back to work!
Kath Younger says
Yes I think the unpredictability makes it a bit confusing for them, and of course they probably prefer to stay in jammies with mom, so that makes school days harder. I love that you pulled her out for a year though. It probably makes your days a little more hectic with two, but what a great option to take a year of sabbatical.
Andrea says
Preschool seems to be a big thing among American bloggers! Before I started reading blogs I didn’t know anyone who sent their child to preschool (I’m in Canada)… here kids either stay home w a parent or go to daycare then just start kindergarten the year they turn four. Unless preschool is the same as daycare? Not really sure of the difference – I feel like preschool might just be a different word for daycare, lol.
Allison says
It really isn’t the same as daycare. When my daughter started kindergarten, there was a boy in her class who had never been to pre-school. He did’t understand lining up, or sitting in circle time or just generally following the teacher’s directions. Other parents and I would laugh about the stories our kids would come home with about him. At least at my children’s kindergarten, kids are expected to start ready to learn and the teachers don’t really expect to have to teach them just general socialization skills. Of course, parents can teach these to their kids by doing music/tumbling etc classes but that doesn’t always happen. Plus, my children’s preschool was 9:30 to 12, so it definitely wasn’t day care, it was barely time to go the the store and shower.
Eliza says
I strongly object to this. Other parents all laughing together at a five year old who isn’t used to the ways of a classroom? That’s horrible. If you take a bunch of thirty-year olds and compare their behavior would anyone ever know which ones of them went to preschool and which didn’t?
And finally, preschool is expensive and to mock a child whose parents perhaps couldn’t afford to send him is absolutely hateful.
Meghan says
Something to note here – preschool/daycare/whatever you want to call it is not public or government-subsidized in the U.S. Did you consider that the parent of that child perhaps could not afford to send him to a program? Just because the parent was staying home, doesn’t necessarily mean they are “so privileged” – on the contrary, one or both of mom and dad’s salaries may not cover the high cost of childcare here in the U.S. And while there are many free options in communities, most music, tumbling or other organized activities cost money.
Here in Boston where I live, my friends and I who are working moms complain about how our after-tax salaries barely cover daycare or nannies. I don’t have family in the area to help me out. I also don’t want to stay home.
My brother and his wife both work full time and cannot afford daycare in the Charlotte area, so they trade off and work from home, while also caring for their toddler aged son. I am in endless awe at how they do it and think of them when I read that other parents would potentially laugh at their son because he didn’t have the opportunity to be formally socialized because of their economic status.
Bottom line is that I hope someday more of our tax dollars will go towards better support for families and childcare!
PS – FWIW, we call it “daycare” here in Boston and they are highly competitive, EXPENSIVE, and generally very well regarded. There’s no negative connotation to that terminology, but I understand that it seems to vary by region.
Megan says
This is such a privileged perspective on preschool and it is truly disheartening that you would laugh at the stories about the other child. Kindergarten is absolutely an appropriate place to learn socialization skills. This is so disappointing. Be better than this.
Nikki says
Both my kids walked at 14 months as well.
Autumn says
Love this! And so well-timed. We are starting our daughter (2.5) at a local Montessori here in Raleigh today! Our son, who is 12 months, will follow when he is 18 months. We will start our daughter in the 2 half days per week for now as we still have a full-time nanny and it’s cost prohibitive to do both. But come August, we hope that we can have them both in the 5 day a week (morning) program and have our nanny in the afternoons!
I’m reading the Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies. Have you read the book? I’ve just started it and I love it so far. Great insights and a wonderful layout and easy to follow.
I’m hoping Birch does amazing at his Montessori school – I have no doubt that he will!
Kath Younger says
I haven’t read the book, but I will put it on my list!
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
I’ve been looking into this too!! I have a preschool near the house that I love but the problem is they don’t take kids till they are turning 3 between September and September which means I couldn’t start him till September 2021. When are you planning on starting birch? I’m going to look into 5 day a week. Definitely sounds like a smart plan thanks for sharing!
Kath Younger says
He’ll be starting this fall of 2020
Heather R says
My son went to Montessori from a year old until he started K. It was a great choice for him. I love the teaching style and he really thrived.
Kath Younger says
Glad to hear good feedback!
Rachel Schlosser says
I can’t believe he can walk, he is getting so big! I was in a Montessori when I was little and loved it. I think that it does work better for those who are more independent.
Sara says
My son went to a three-day-week preschool when he was 2. My mother-in-law watched him while we worked and we wanted him to have interaction with children so that’s why we started at 2, but it was only three days a week and a few hours a day. Then by the time he was in 4s he went four days a week and they had extended stay options toward the end, but looking back, I wish we had done the longer day 4s because he did have a really hard time adjusting to Kindergarten. Things you don’t know until you know 😉 But we loved his preschool. I miss preschool days. They did such cute artwork and the kids were so sweet 🙂 And I was so relieved that first grade was a way easier adjustment than K. I was so prepared to have a long adjustment period again this year, but I think since my son was familiar with the school and knew some of the children and teachers, it was an easier transition. (But I really miss the super cute artwork from preschool.)
Mandy says
I had a 15 month walker. He is 12 now and never ever stops moving. 🙂
Ellen says
He’s such a cutie! Seems crazy that he will be going to school!
We did a church-based preschool, with various schedules depending partially on my kids’ personalities and birth dates. There was one particular pre-K section that was only for the “slightly older” 4s, and my child with a fall birthday thrived in that class. It was a little more academic and creative than the more play-based sections my spring birthday kids landed in. All were good. I was a SAHM at the time, and I liked the somewhat limited hours of the program. All arrived at kindergarten perfectly well-prepared.
Ellen says
Oh, I forgot one more factor we considered! In our town, certain preschools fed a lot of kids into our local elementary school, whereas certain others drew from a wider area and the kids scattered to many different elementary schools. Our kids tend to be shy, and we sought out a school where they would see familiar faces from toddlerhood straight through to elementary school.
Kath Younger says
That’s a great point to consider about making life-long friends
Elizabeth A Weber-Falk says
We liked the structure of our son’s program. All the others we looked at seemed to be a morning of play time. He got plenty of that at home and on play dates. We wanted JC to learn. The program we chose did a great job of teaching how to’s in all the areas: nature, nurture, and traditional elementals. We also loved the natural setting it was in.
The Many Thoughts of a Reader says
When my oldest was preschool age I had just started teaching preschool full-time so she went to her old daycare M.W. and F and then to my friends house / preschool on Tuesday and Thursday. It was a nature based preschool so they spent a lot of time outdoors. The next year for 4s, she went to 4 half days and then to my friends house after and all day on Friday. I wanted half days because she was a fabulous napper and needed those naps! Also, because I didn’t want anything academic based and she also had lots of socialization opportunities. My second has an October birthday and most of the programs have now changed to go by public schools must be 5 by September 1st for Kindergarten. I still have 1 year to make a decision because enrollment will start next January about if I will bite my tongue and find a faith based program for a 2s preschool, if we will fork out moolah for Montessori, or just wait another year. I am no longer working so I’m very flexible on timing, but I know the birthday will hold us up.
Nadia says
Hi Kath,
I live in southern VA (Hampton Roads) and my son who will be two in April started Montessori school when he was 16months old. I love the toddler classroom and I’m also a fan of their “work”. I think it’s a fantastic choice. I love the Montessori philosophy and I’d highly recommend looking into it more closely.
Also, my sons started walking at 10months and I sometimes wish he had waited a little longer. He absolutely runs everywhere and also purposefully runs away to be caught (which can be dangerous; think parking lots etc). From here on, Birch will only get faster
Greetings from Hampton Roads. Haven’t been back to Charlottesville since my son was born but really looking forward to the next time.
Kath Younger says
: ) Hope you come visit soon! And I’m not looking forward to the running stage so much. Although it is a good workout!
Jessica Kohler says
I can’t say enough good things about what Montessori has meant to our family. Best choice.
Emily says
The city I live in has a great system for public Montessori schools, so it’s very popular in my area. My son recently started public 3K at bilingual Montessori school. One thing to keep in mind is nearly any school can call themselves Montessori, without actually being truly Montessori. Sometimes people are paying extra just for the name. I would be sure that the teachers are actually Montessori trained, and that they fully follow the Montessori method. Good luck!
Christy Peters says
My kids went to Montessori preschool (nursery as we call it) in the uk. They both went full time from 7 months old until 4 years. They loved it.
Laura says
Montessori is incredible! My son was born a few days after Mazen and we’re in our fourth year at a Montessori school. It’s wonderful in the older elementary / middle school years, as well!
Jeanie says
Birch is so proud of his walking ability! My kids didn’t go to preschool. It just wasn’t a thing waaay back then.
Elizabeth says
I live in C’ville and toured most of the Montessori schools when deciding on a school for my toddler (ended up at International School of C’ville – love it!). I liked the Montessori schools but my main beef was that in most of them, they pressured you to a) go 5 days a week which we personally didn’t want to do starting out at 2 and b) stay through kindergarten, which we definitely didn’t want to do. Some of the schools even required a contract you had to sign agreeing that you’d stay through kindergarten. Do you have thoughts on that?
Kath Younger says
I have many friends who love/loved the International School too 🙂 Because B is a fall birthday and a boy, I think the plan will be for him to do kindergarten “twice” like Mazen did. The fall when he’s age 4.99 at his preschool and fall at age 5.99 at public school. I actually don’t think he could even go to public KG at 4.99 (Mazen was early enough we had a choice). Mazen’s year of transitional kindergarten was really good for him, and B will need that extra year whether it’s required or not.
Tess says
That is really wonderful! We wanted to look into Montessori in Boston, but there are a lot of places that use that name on their daycare but they aren’t the real deal. The legit ones cost more than m my college prep education! So womp womp, but next year for Pre K we will finally be shelling out for 5 mornings a week for my then to be 4yo, and I’m not gonna lie I’m excited for some regular me-time. I think it’s a legit reason we only have 1. The cost for care is too great in these big cities. And some parents just don’t want to stay home fulltime, even SAHMs and you know what? THATS OK. I can’t wait to read lots of Montessori posts next year if you feel like sharing!
Eliza says
I actually didn’t send my kids to preschool. (My youngest is twenty, but back then a lot of kids did do at least a part time program after age two or three.) I was lucky enough to be a SAHM and I absolutely loved being at home with my kids. We certainly got out into the community for library story hour and different playgroups and classes like PB & J kids, but no formal preschool.
I know public preschool doesn’t start until age four (I think) but I’m curious what your thoughts are about the public schools in Cville?
Kath Younger says
I don’t know of any public preschools, but there is a pre-K program in the public schools here, but I’m pretty sure it’s need based for those who couldn’t otherwise afford a preschool. As far as the public schools in general, we love Mazen’s school!
Tracy says
My youngest two (twins) went to a Montessori preschool and I can’t recommend it enough! It instilled an intense love of learning and especially reading. They’re now 20 and are both voracious readers. My older two are not at all!
AmyB says
We didn’t have preschool back when I was little but I went to a Montessori kindergarten. I LOVED it. I wish I had stayed in it for my elementary years. So affirming and nurturing. I’m sure Birch will love it.
Kristen says
You’ve done this all before, so I’m sure you have thought about it, but one thing I really wish I would have asked about when looking at daycares and preschools was teacher turnover. I have been a little disappointed with the amount of changes in staffing at my center. It just knocks learning back a few weeks every time as the kids get used to the new people. Ugh, the potty training regressions were real when this happened. I’ve talked anecdotally to a lot of my coworkers with kids and daycare, and high turnover seems to be quite the norm in daycare centers around here (Maryland). I do, however, absolutely love the teachers. At the end of the day, a daycare can check all your other boxes, but your child’s day is most dependent on the teachers in their classroom. Three cheers for teachers!!
Kath Younger says
That is a great point.
Blair says
I am divided on the topic. I sent my two oldest to preschool full-days from the time they were babies through the summer of their kindergarten year. My oldest was reading and writing before kindergarten. She was doing math and learning cursive. She was so bored in kindergarten so she got pushed up and now as a 7 year old is with 4th and 5th graders and is feeling very left out. My second hates going to school bc she is so bored but after our experience with the first we are not pushing her forward. This time with our third we are doing part-time morning preschool. He still is learning at an amazing rate, I wish we hadn’t sent the girls so early or so long bc they missed having fun doing things they loved doing like exploring in the woods or swimming extra long on hot days. Side note: for some of the comments above, be kind, there are people behind the screens and we are talking about innocent children that should be parented by their parents without judgement from us.
Brigid says
It’s been many years since my kids were in preschool. They all started with 2 short days at the catholic school up the street. The teachers were so loving and nurturing. That was the most important thing to me. They all learned along the way and did wonderful programs for holidays. If people can swing preschool it’s great but I think everyone’s situation is different. Kids all catch up and learn to read and write when they get to elementary school.
Elaine says
I think a bit of daycare for toddlers is fine so you can get stuff done in the morning. My advice is to use that time to make and save a lot of money so your kids don’t have to go to after-care programs in elementary school. I know some don’t have the choice, but it is so hard on kids who had a FULL school day to stay at school until 5 or 6. I have seen the negative effects on kid’s learning and behavior and friends. In my opinion, it’s most important to be home with them after school during those years. Plan ahead because it’s coming quick!!
Kath Younger says
Yes I love that my “workday” ends at 3 when Mazen gets off the bus. Then we have two hours to play or do activities together before dinner.
Renee says
You are absolutely right Montessori is amazing if your child thrives on being independent, and likes to be able to explore on their own. They do offer group time throughout the day but mostly they have a free schedule where time blocks are set aside for certain things like snack, outside, special activities etc. They are free to come and go from these activities whenever they would like in that time block.
My favorite part about preschool is the fact that they get to play with other children and learn. There is also the fact of the amazing caring teachers too. Oh and trust me coming from a former 2 year old preschool teacher- you will be amazed at how well he adjusts to 5 full days. Having the gap with days off makes the transition back to school on days on harder.
Christy says
I say let kids be kids and keep them out of the formal education hamster wheel while you can. At age 2, Birch will spend the next 16 years getting up and going to school every day, then likely do the same thing in college and transition to a full time job where he has to get up every day and go to work. Two days/week in preschool sounds like a good compromise and supplement the learning, rule following and discipline aspect of his development with all the amazing opportunities you have to offer him. While routine is great, maybe a little less structure so early on is a good thing for this next generation. Besides, kids are only young once so cherish this precious time while you can! It won’t be this way for long…