AuntyB and Grandmama

Heading to the Montessori School

AuntyB:  The previous two posts, Getting Ready for Montessori School  and Preparation for Montessori School, covered the homestones to prepare your child for the classroom. Many, many experiences are learned in group settings. Keep up the positive and talk with your child's teacher about how to redirect the negatives.

Communication is the key to success. School is at its best in a Parent / Teacher endeavor. Never let anything escalate. Always address concerns without criticism in order to keep your child on the inside track of learning, growing and developing to their fullest potential.

Grandmama: These final words from AuntyB are mostly advice for parents as you enter the next phase of life with your child, sharing him or her with another role model, mentor and teacher. You are their first and last teacher; you've a lifetime job. Those words will help you in dealing with the newcomer in your lives.

As she's written about Montessori school, AuntyB is not making an assumption that preschool is the "best" thing for your child. She's leaving that up to you. As a grandmother--still a mother, though my children are now parents, too--I have firm opinions on this.

Toddler Preparation for Montessori Schools

AuntyB: There are eight more homestones (routines, activities and manners) that you need to be teaching and modeling in order for your child to be ready for a Montessori school. While fairly specific, these same homestones also refer to readiness for any preschool.

1.  Toilet Learning.  Your child has learned to toilet on their own, including wiping and pulling on own underwear and outerwear.

2.  Dining.  Your child dines independently, using utensils and sitting quietly at the table. We've a whole category on dining with your toddler, if you need help.

3.  Fine Motor. Your child can engage in table activity. This means carrying work to a table and putting it away. This may, of course, need minor supervision and reminders.

4.  Dressing. Your child can put on their own coat and shoes. They may need help with closures. If the school uses uniforms, start out dressing your child in uniform at least one week before school starts.

5.  Language and Manners. Your child makes requests respectfully.  For example, "May I use the scissors now?" instead of demanding "I want --or need-- !" This requires lots of modeling at home with respectful request of the child. Your egocentric two year old is growing into a dynamo, learning child who also must share time and materials with others.

Turning 3 -- Getting ready for Montessori School

My toddler is turning three. She is very independent but sometimes reverts back to dependence. Where should she be in order to gain successful entry into a Montessori 3 - 6 year old classroom?

AuntyB:  I prefer to look at certain rites of passage as homestones rather than milestones. Developmental milestones are rigid, time-related tasks that are expected and agonized over if not achieved as the book dictates.

Homestones
Homestones are tasks and routines that are developed over the first three years of life. They come about according to the child's readiness to imitate your modeling. Whatever routine you have set up with the child will determine the tasks that will be accomplished by three years of age.

A Word about Routines
A routine day is one which has unfolded with the child's rhythm of development. It changes slowly over a period of time as the child matures and takes on more responsibility for self-care. Routine allows a sense of safety and stability. Knowing what is going to happen -- and when -- empowers the child to take ownership of the day and the expected time frames for activities.

What makes a successful daily routine? Keeping the routine the same, the same, the same.

Interrupting the day with changes like skipping nap time, late lunches, overstimulating activities will throw the child off routine for days, perhaps a week. If your child is entering a Montessori environment, there will be a set routine to the day which must be adapted to and complied with. Normalizing (getting used to a routine) takes a while. If you have a routine at home, the you have th3e first homestone under your belt. If not, try at least three months prior to entry into school to have a morning routine that does not vary.

AuntyB Hint:  See what the routine is at school and begin to tailor your time slots at home to match that at school.  For example:

• 7 am  Get up and get dressed
• 7:30  Breakfast
• 8:00  Morning Songs -- sitting together on a circular rug
• 8:15 - 9:15  Indoor Table Work
• 9:15 - 9:30 Snack at a table
• 9:30 - 10:30 Outdoor Play
• 11:00 Lunch
• 11:45  Nap

Grandmama:  There it is from one well-qualified and experienced educator to you, dear parent.  Here it is from one generation to the new generation of parents: Not setting up established routines and expectations for your children, along with household responsibilities, is setting yourself and your children for struggles, both now and in the long run. How long? Like through the teenage years and beyond.

You must teach them these skills but gently and through modeling.