Guest guest Posted June 27, 2002 Report Share Posted June 27, 2002 My daughter is 2.1 and has apraxia, hypotonia, global delays and SID issues. I visit this list for her. BUT, I have a 4 yo son who goes to a Montessori school. He does not have any developmental delays, but we LOVE the montessori enviroment and way of teaching. My son has done so well there that we decided to keep him there for Kindergarden instead of sending him to public K. I have heard many parents w/ special needs children rave about Montessori. The Montessori school here in hawaii was actually started by a couple w/ a downs syndrome child who thought the montessori teaching would be the best method for their child. I haven't decided if my daughter will go there yet when she turns 3. We have a scottish rite language/communication disorder school here also. So, I'm kind of torn on which one to send her to. But, I still have a year to decide! I believe you will be happy w/ montessori! Traci --- In @y..., " Whatisupmb " <durangobubanko@s...> wrote: > I enrolled my son in Montessori starting in September--it seems like > the PERFECT program for him and wondered if anyone has had any > experience with this program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2002 Report Share Posted June 27, 2002 I know this a dummmb question, but can someone explain the Montessori thing for me? Out here it is very pricey, but I am willing to look into this further if I get feedback from parents with special needs/language/speech issues kids that have good things to say about it! Thanks! Vivian in HOT Phoenix Mom to DJ, 5.0, language delay? > > I enrolled my son in Montessori starting in September--it seems > like > > the PERFECT program for him and wondered if anyone has had any > > experience with this program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2002 Report Share Posted June 27, 2002 I found this link that explains Montessori in detail: http://www.montessori.org/new%20files%20for%20website/montessori% 20101.pdf You may have to copy and paste the above link into your browser if it fails to link completely. I got this from the main page of http://www.montessori.org under the link titled: " Montessori 101 for Parents " Hope that helps... Jill > I know this a dummmb question, but can someone explain the Montessori > thing for me? Out here it is very pricey, but I am willing to look > into this further if I get feedback from parents with special > needs/language/speech issues kids that have good things to say about > it! Thanks! > > > Vivian in HOT Phoenix > Mom to DJ, 5.0, language delay? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2002 Report Share Posted June 27, 2002 Hi Vivian- We had looked into a Montessori setting for Khalid when he was about 8 years old. He did not qualify for their program based on their limited perception of his condition. Although I have been told by other parents, whose children have had positive experiences, that this was not the normal standard with Montessori. Parents encouraged us to look outside our district, for other Montessori schools more receptive to Khalid's abilities, rather than only seeing his expressive limitations. As for choices- there were not many in schools and placement available for Khalid then! With the awareness now available, I can only hope it will get better for our special needs kids. Here is some information on Montessori: A Brief Biography http://www.montessori-namta.org/generalinfo/biog.html Mustafa Montessori: " First the education of the senses, then the education of the intellect - Montessori's vision and 'method' are still popular. " http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-mont.htm Montessori Network- other resources http://www.infed.org/thinkers/et-mont.htm " cafeolait1 " <vware1@a...> wrote: > I know this a dummmb question, but can someone explain the Montessori > thing for me? Out here it is very pricey, but I am willing to look > into this further if I get feedback from parents with special > needs/language/speech issues kids that have good things to say about > it! Thanks! > > > Vivian in HOT Phoenix > Mom to DJ, 5.0, language delay? this program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2002 Report Share Posted June 27, 2002 Our 5-year-old (no disability) has gone to Montessori for 3 years and we love it also. He is really a great kid all around and he knows his continents, countries (better than I, I'm afraid), and many other things that children in kindergarten and first grade around here don't learn. They learn social skills (how to introduce themselves and friends), good manners, etc. He hasn't even started kindergarten yet, that will be this fall and we too are going to send him to kindergarten here also. I wouldn't even think of sending him to the public school even though we'd be saving a lot of money that way. I would not send Cameron (7 years, 3q deletion)there though. They do not have therapies or any special training for children with a handicap there. It would be too time consuming for them to teach him because his attention is often elsewhere. It is a shame but there is no way. If you can find a Montessori that is equipped for special needs children, then I would say by all means do it. I really think Cameron would have benefited from their method of learning. Too bad the school district doesn't teach this way. Cheryl [ ] Re: Montessori My daughter is 2.1 and has apraxia, hypotonia, global delays and SID issues. I visit this list for her. BUT, I have a 4 yo son who goes to a Montessori school. He does not have any developmental delays, but we LOVE the montessori enviroment and way of teaching. My son has done so well there that we decided to keep him there for Kindergarden instead of sending him to public K. I have heard many parents w/ special needs children rave about Montessori. The Montessori school here in hawaii was actually started by a couple w/ a downs syndrome child who thought the montessori teaching would be the best method for their child. I haven't decided if my daughter will go there yet when she turns 3. We have a scottish rite language/communication disorder school here also. So, I'm kind of torn on which one to send her to. But, I still have a year to decide! I believe you will be happy w/ montessori! Traci Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2002 Report Share Posted June 28, 2002 My daughter Brittany (a " normal " child) attended a Montessori school in my town for 2 years for pre-school (it was a pre-school program). For your information, any school can call themselves a " Montessori " school because the name was never trademarked. In order to find out if they are an official " Montessori " school, they will have a certificate. My daughter did wonderfully at the school. My son (3 1/2) has been diagnosed with moderate to severe verbal apraxia and because of this has qualified for my town's pre-school intervention program. I would have sent him there if he had not. e Mom to Brittany (7 1/2) and (3 1/2 with verbal apraxia) --- In @y..., " Whatisupmb " <durangobubanko@s...> wrote: > I enrolled my son in Montessori starting in September--it seems like > the PERFECT program for him and wondered if anyone has had any > experience with this program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2002 Report Share Posted June 28, 2002 Yes, I was going to mention this earlier. You can also look for the major " points " of Montessori. The head teacher should be certified in Montessori (ask for certificate), small class size (my son's is 15), low student to teacher ratio (my son has 3 - head teacher and 2 assistants), age range (preschool is usually 2 1/2 to 5 and K is 4- 6) - this is so the younger can learn from the older and the older can teach and take care of the younger, and the materials are different - you'll know when you walk in. I visited a " montessori " school here and they had 30 kids in 1 class w/ 2 teachers who were not certified. You have to be careful. I went home and read up on what to look for and then when looking again. It was then obvious to me when I came upon a " real " Montessori school. And they do tend to be expensive, but to me it has been worth every penny. Traci > For your information, any school can call themselves a " Montessori " > school because the name was never trademarked. In order to find out > if they are an official " Montessori " school, they will have a > certificate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2002 Report Share Posted June 28, 2002 Does he have apraxia and did you tell the school? Traci I enrolled my son in Montessori starting in September--it seems like > the PERFECT program for him and wondered if anyone has had any > experience with this program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 28, 2002 Report Share Posted June 28, 2002 My son has not been officially diagnosed with anything (thanks to huge waiting lists). We have an appointment in early OCTOBER with the developmental pediatrician. I would say that he is dyspraxic--he never had any words to lose but he had babbled (I thought he was going to be an EARLY talker!) and then stopped that. He seems to have greater issues than pure apraxia/dyspraxia and yes, I did tell the school. I brought him with me and he seemed to fit in very well. The directress mentioned that he seemed to be craving the activities (don't remember her exact words) that were there...he was really drawn to them and seemed very satisfied after doing some of them (I noticed this). I didn't realize that any school could call itself Montessori and I will check these things out. Thanks for the tips! > Does he have apraxia and did you tell the school? > > Traci > I enrolled my son in Montessori starting in September--it seems like > > the PERFECT program for him and wondered if anyone has had any > > experience with this program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2004 Report Share Posted August 6, 2004 Hi , My son has been in a Montessori since 21 months and has really thrived in that environment. The teacher student ratio at the school you are considering seems a little high, but if you feel that he will get enough attention, then it should be OK. Just keep an eye on him which I am sure you will. Also make sure the teacher is open to the modifications (if any) that need to be made in the classroom for your child. Luckily, the lead teacher in my son's preprimary room has a special ed background and uses lots of sensory activities and techniques to teach the basics to the kids. Lots of movement, music, group projects and activities, and lots of children working in pairs or triplets to encourage socialization. The classroom is language rich but at their level. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 6, 2004 Report Share Posted August 6, 2004 Jonah is undiagnosed but almost certainly apraxic (has all the markers), also hypotonia. He is currently receiving ST 2x week and OT 1x week. His IU case manager thinks he may need PT as well (we're having a OT/PT eval done -hopefully soon -- we have not yet heard from the scheduler as she is on vacation). She also wants him to have a SEIT 1x week (more if the SEIT thinks he needs it). We have not yet had his IEP so we'll see what services he has after that??? We're hoping to get him bumped up to 3x week for ST, but have been warned that we'll have to fight for it. Our wonderful social worker (also provided through EI) has been sooooo helpful with preparing for our IEP -- I cannot recommend accepting that service more highly!!!. As for what would happen where -- OT/PT would take place at school - no matter where he goes as a pull-out. the SEIT would also be at the school, but would work with him individually -- I'm not sure how in the Montessori setting. ST apparently only happens AT the IU schools. so regardless of where he is we'll have to do ST separately. I've got to post to the IEP list about the on-site ST question though. thanks, > > We are having a hard time deciding what preschool environment would > be the best > > for Jonah (almost 3) this fall. We had him in a preschool where he > was well-loved this > > past spring for socialization, but we're not sure it is the best > place for him now. It is > > a typical privately-owned preschool. about 15 children to 1 teacher > & 1 aide. There > > are also several roaming adults who look out for children who need > hugs or attention. > > > > We are considering Montessori and I wonder if anyone has any input > on how that > > environment is for children with apraxia. I like the materials > that the children have to > > work with and I think Jonah would like it there. The > student:teacher ratio is 25 > > students to 2 teachers. But the materials are far more interesting > and there is MUCH > > more space. > > > > If anyone has experience with Montessori one way or the other I > would greatly > > appreciate your comments. Thank you so much!!! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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