I don’t often talk about Johannes’ school in part because I feel like that is a private part of our lives, in part because I always worry about who could be reading these pages. But I need to take a couple of moments and really gush about his Montessori school without revealing too too much.
Johannes started in the toddler program of a nearby Montessori school back in August when he was 17 months. He is now 20 months and has been at the school for 3. In the short time he has been here he went from being a toddler to a little boy. I can’t begin to describe how great the transformation has been. One of the main reasons we picked this particular school was for the way they choose to teach the students and their open communication with the parents. Montessori schools and education come in all shapes and sizes. Some are taught in the home, others in a more formal setting. For us formal made sense, and I’m beyond thrilled with our choice. The teachers do an amazing job of keeping us informed on J’s progress, from the reports they send home on a daily basis, to curriculum nights, to the meet and greets….and now with the arrival of J’s first progress report. I don’t want to paraphrase and condense the report because I think J’s teachers do such a great job of describing his development. So instead of summarizing I’m just going to share with you the note:
Johannes is a happy child. He is learning the morning routine when he gets dropped off. He has been working on taking his shoes off and putting them on for the last couple of weeks and he is able to take off his indoor shoes and rain boots. He knows where his assigned spot is for his shoes and is able to hang his backpack on his cubby hook.
He is working on getting work from the shelf and sit at the table without direction. He concentrates on his work and is working on not getting distracted. Johannes enjoys working with the materials in the practical life area, especially the ones that involve water and the magnetic fish. These activities are helping him to develop and foster a good level of concentration and order and develop his hand/eye co-ordination. With encouragement Johannes is sitting for longer periods of time during circle.
During lunch Johannes is learning how to eat with a fork or spoon and he is able to drink from a cup. He has been working very hart at using his utensils and is able to stay clean.
Johannes is working on developing his vocabulary and we are helping him to continue on developing a clear communication by encouraging him to repeat words. Johannes loves being outside in the playground and most of the time he is engaged in solitary play. His favorite toys in the playground are the cars. {hardly surprising}
