Transitioning from Montessori to Public Kindergarten

Well I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for but here goes....

None of my kids went to a Montessori school. BUT, I actually have something of a "Montessori-Waldorf-esque" style of parenting. If you have to put a name to a thing, yes, I def subscribe to many of their theories.

All my kids started out in a tiny, extremely rigid neighborhood Catholic school. There they all thrived , despite my much more casual style of parenting.

Then, we built a house in the 'burbs, and moved them from that environment to an ENORMOUS public school system. And I was SICK with worry, MY GOD! WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!

They were 2nd grade, 5th grade 7th grade (OMG JR High), and miraculously
immediately excelled, immediately adjusted immediately embraced the differences.

My point is I guess, is that kids are WAY more rescilient to change than WE are, way more likely to shrug and move on to the next thing.

They are now 18, 16, 13, and honestly seem to be completely equipped to handle anything change that comes their way (me, not so much). And to be perfectly honest, I suspect the REASON for this is...

How do I put this?

Their REALITY, their CORE, is HOME, is ME, not school, not friends, not any other influence. Their homelife is their CONSTANT, and wherever that is, it hasn't EVER changed.

Tehehe, sorry so deep, anyway, based on MY experience, your fella will be just fine with the change!

Have a great weekend!!

:)

My daughter is in the same position. I am just trying to make it exciting for her - I will show her a school bus and tell her soon she can ride on one (she's always loved busses). I drove her by her 'new' school so she could see it. She asks me every day when she will be five and start her 'new school'.

Hi Austinmamas,

My twins went to a wonderful Montessori preschool for 2 years before going to public kindergarten. They adjusted beautifully and were very set up to learn and that included learning how their new classroom worked. Public kindergarten is usually all about helping the students to adjust and learn what they need to know about school. My twins are now in fourth grade and I really believe their Montessori background has been a real asset to them. Don't worry. Kids are so adaptable.Your son will do great!

I really think it depends on your child's personality. Before I enrolled my daughter in preschool, I did quite a bit of research. I opted NOT to go with Montessori. I wasn't because I heard bad things... In fact, I heard great things! But my public school teacher friends overwhelmingly said that the kids that transition from montessori have a much more difficult time adjusting than those who have been elsewhere. It's just VERY different from what they are used to. Knowing that we weren't going to keep my daughter in a private school forever and knowing my daughter's personality (does not adapt to change very well), we opted for a different preschool curriculum style (Classical). Once your son starts school, I would definitely let the teacher know that your son has been in Montessori school, that way he/she is fully informed and will be able to help him as much as possible. If your son adapts to change readily, I'm sure he'll be fine and make the change in no time.