Max is in Preschool!

A couple of weeks ago, he made the switch from the Bridger room (for kids between the ages of 1 and 2) to the young preschool room. For the next year or so, he will be with just the 2 year olds, engaging in developmentally appropriate preschool activities, and going back to the Bridger room after nap for some free play with old friends.

They have started the preschool curriculum, but it's kind of a watered down version until he moves into the 3 and 4 year old room. Still, they follow the program, and the set-up at his center is really nice. They will begin in his homeroom and move from room to room throughout the morning: gym, art, science, math, and reading and writing. Then they have lunch, nap, and if it's nice, outdoor time with the Bridger kids.

His teacher, Miss Alyssa, is one of his teachers from the Bridger room who moved "up" with her kids since she just completed her early childhood education degree, so Max is very comfortable with her, and he still gets to visit his old favorite, Miss Kayla, every afternoon. One of his best friends, Carter, also moved up with him, and I know he is thrilled about that.

Even though his days are a bit more structured, they are not too much so. One reason we chose this place is they really focus on investigative learning through play, which is how I think kids learn best, so it sort of follows a Montessori focus at half the cost! I love their activities, and prior to each week, we receive a newsletter telling us what he will be working on each week in each area. They list the letter of the week, what books they will be reading, what special activities they are doing in the gym, how they are going outside to gather bugs for observation in science class, etc. I have to admit, they have given me some good ideas! Often, I will look over the letter and think, "Wow, I never thought of doing X for a lesson in learning to count".

It's been a couple of weeks and so far so good! Alyssa said he is adjusting really well, loves the new activities, and is wonderful at sharing and following directions (i.e. he's cleaning up after himself and hasn't tried to kill any of the animals in the science room yet!:)