The Good (and Bad) First Parent/Teacher Conference

Last Friday Bill and I sat in the little chairs with both Ben's lead teacher as well as the Director of the School for our 1st ever parent conference. The school asked all new families to give each child at least 2 months to learn the routines of the school as well as learn how the Montessori method works before a face to face meeting. Needless to say the helicopter parent side of me has been dying to know more than what I gleen from Ben, but being in education myself, I respected time to settle in.

Here is our first report (of many more to come in tiny chairs):

Good: Ben loves the school and his teachers. We hear daily about being a "workerman" as a major component of the class involves completing a self-directed works. Ben loves the practical life (home living) area and any work that involves matching. He has increased interest in counting and letters not seen before. He lives for outside time which is indicative of 2 lbs of sand in his shoes each day at pickup. He has especially enjoyed units about nature (i.e working in the school garden and the growth and release of butterflies.)

All said, this was a greatto hear he is learning, retaining, and seems excited about doing more difficult work when given the opportunity with a teacher or older child.

Needs to Work on: Following Directions!!! Being a typical 3 year old of stubborn mind and boundless energy, Ben often has to be redirected to positive behavior. He has spent many days during nap time removed from the other children because he won't stop talking/singing or simply won't settle down. This does seem to help to remove him from the situation which is a strategy at home frequently.

Continued issues pooping on himself. Following their advice we went back to pull ups over underwear with no marked success about a month ago. He is sitting longer stretches as well as talking about pooping frequently and is well aware of rewards for making poop on a potty.

Once we are back from our trip he will be shadowed by a local intervention component of the public school system with a follow up meeting with the school administer. While I don't think there are developmental issues, rather a major control one to conquer, we are working as the school is to praise him on the good days and remind him of all the fun things he is missing by making the choice to poop on himself. The upcoming trip has been a major selling point about how much fun it will be to poop at Mickey's house on a mickey shaped potty. Why do I see myself dragging mouse ears into every bathroom?

Following the Lead/Language of Older Boys- We totally expected that given 4 and 5 year old boys were going to be in his class that he was going to be exposed to talk about guns, shooting, hurting others. Since we are often we together with friends with a 6 and 4 year old boys we have already been talking to Ben about nice vs mean words and actions as well as how to treat friends. Bill and I are working on a united front to try and minimize the appeal of the new and fascinating world of the older boy as best we can.

Overall I really appreciate the time of the school and the feedback on how we can be supportive at home of what is being emphasized at school. It has been a major change for both Ben and our family. Gone are my couple of hours everyday to get something done before pick up, but Ben is the happiest I have ever seen him in a school setting.

I just happened to ask about their Toddler House program at pick up yesterday. Glad I did as they only take 12 children min 18 months-36 months and most spots go existing families. Keeping it on the table as an option. For all the times I laugh at the crunchy, granola aspect of the school, I am very, very happy that we invested the time to make the change.