In light of recent circumstances, I did a little sole-searching in regards to Brandt's care. I talked it over with friends and finally decided to look at my options. My thought was that if nothing else, I would at least feel more confidence with where he is at now.
So I toured Woodlands Montessori School today. It was a very eye-opening experience for me. As I entered the facility, my first thoughts were that it was so inviting and quaint. They had a beautiful display of fall decor that set a warm feeling.
I was immediately greeted by an administrative assistant as I entered the office, and then I watched a short video about the Montessori method, which I was already familiar with from college practicum courses. Following the video, the Director came took me on a tour of the classrooms. I found the classrooms to be very clean, large, and spacious. There was all sorts of room for the children to roam and explore, and there were tons of learning labs to facilitate these endeavors. It was so incredible to see such young children with such independence. The toddlers were doing learning labs (or whatever Montessori calls them) without being directed. And, they were enjoying the learning process. The rooms had 10-15 kids in each, but they were so calm and quiet. The classroom climate was so amazing. Each classroom led to a common courtyard where the children were able to learn and explore at the same time. The children swept a mini bridge and the side walk. They watered the flowers and grew vegetables! It was just so incredible.
Finally we made it into the classroom where Brandt would be. The director told me to put Brandt down so he could explore his new surroudings. Immediately, she picked up on what was my fear--his developmental delay. She asked if he was a new walker, and I told her he had only been walking for a couple weeks and was in physical therapy. I knew I would need to be forth-coming about this because he would need to be at a facility that would allow his physical and speech therapists to come. As I was telling her about this, my heart was racing. This was the one thing that worried me about sending him to another facility. And, as quick as I told her, she replied by telling me she had three other students who were getting specialized services. It was such a huge relief to hear. We watched Brandt explore, which really was him destroying others' work. The Director then gave him a puzzle. Again, I shrieked. Brandt took all the pieces out and threw them across the table. I tried to give them back to him to put them back in, but he was unable. I wasn't surprised that he was unable to do puzzles because I try to work with him on that on the weekends and evenings--with little success. Brandt then left the table and started to walk around the room. And-BAM- his wobbly hips and jello legs lost control, and he tumbled backwards. We both shrieked, and I knew it was going to be a problem. She looked horrified, although I tried to blow it off.
She then took me back to the office and went over some of the procedures and registration. She explained that if we should choose for Brandt to attend there, Brandt would need to be walking more stable and controlled. And, when he was good with that, he could come in for a two-day trial. Based upon how he does with trial would determine if they would allow him admittance into their facility. Woodlands does not accept just anybody, and my gut sort of tells me that Brandt just might be te type of child they try to filter out.
I have a lot of mixed feelings that I am trying to sort through. On one hand, if I had a "normal" child, I would switch to Woodlands in a heartbeat. Without even a second thought. But, I don't. Clearly Brandt is going to need a couple more months of walking before he is steady. And even if he gets steady with his walking, I am then worried that his fine motor delays will be a problem. All those little learning labs that they do are far above him. Even cognitively, I am not sure that he is where they are. In fact, I know he is not. It makes me sad. It truly sucks because no matter how much he is advancing, he is always still behind.
Immediately after leaving there, I thought maybe I would try to transition him at Christmas break. But, then, I know that they do not accept just anyone. Who else would they try to filter out besides special needs kids--I just know that is who they are trying to filter out. And, I am not sure that I am ready to watch his delays hold him back; I am not sure that I am ready to cope with rejection.
But, for now, Brandt's current daycare offers him the freedom to be a baby and just play. It is not targetted towards independence and learning, but it might be a more relaxed environment for him. His current daycare gets a little chaotic but that's just kids being kids. It is much more colorful than a Montessori school, and I see a lot more kids smiling!
But, in any event, today was an interesting day. It was very "interesting" to tour some new lands that is Woodlands.
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