Lee and social environment

[Anonymous]

Ask the school. They seem really open to answering questions and meeting with parents.

[Anonymous]

I am in the process of reading the two books suggested by the founders. I had no exposure to Montessori so it has been helpful for me. One "Montessori Madness" has chapters on competition, discipline, community, etc. "Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius" has chapters on peer learning, etc. I have not read these chapters yet but maybe they might provide insight for you as you grapple with whether the school might be a good fit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My experience at a private Montessori school is that social graces, kindness, politeness, and conflict resolution are very much integrated into the teaching. Montessori works hard to develop the whole child, including practical life skills. There is a lot of emphasis on children learning how to engage helpfully with each other, and as the previous poster noted a lot of built in mentoring and nurturing of the younger kids by the older ones. It's really lovely to witness, and I'd think a better bet for the awkward types (I was one) than a traditional school (I went to one, and was also teased).

I don't know anything about Lee specifically, but certain aspects of this are built into Montessori at its core.

My experience was the opposite. The Montessori school my child attended did little to work on social interaction and the teachers didn't take an interest at all. Good luck OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone asked about how they plan to address social conflicts. It sounds like all three classes will be in the playground at once, which freaks me out (teachers chat amongst themselves, and kids are cruel). Do they have any kind of conflict resolution plan? I didn't hear any emphasis at the open house on social inclusion or helping kids accept those who are different. Our child is a joy and won't be a "problem" kid, but he is a "strange bird," and I want to make sure he is somewhere where he is safe and accepted.

I was teased mercilessly in elementary school - had no friends some years basically because I was weird (never disruptive or special needs, just a smart, weird kid)

What grade? My kid is a "strange bird" too. It's one reason we're leaving our current school. They'll probably bond quickly if they're in the same class.

he will be pk4. Fingers crossed they end up together. He likes everyone, and if a kid gives him any kind of positive attention, he is just smitten. He is socially clueless, but he still ended up with two good friends in his current class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone asked about how they plan to address social conflicts. It sounds like all three classes will be in the playground at once, which freaks me out (teachers chat amongst themselves, and kids are cruel). Do they have any kind of conflict resolution plan? I didn't hear any emphasis at the open house on social inclusion or helping kids accept those who are different. Our child is a joy and won't be a "problem" kid, but he is a "strange bird," and I want to make sure he is somewhere where he is safe and accepted.

I was teased mercilessly in elementary school - had no friends some years basically because I was weird (never disruptive or special needs, just a smart, weird kid)

What grade? My kid is a "strange bird" too. It's one reason we're leaving our current school. They'll probably bond quickly if they're in the same class.

he will be pk4. Fingers crossed they end up together. He likes everyone, and if a kid gives him any kind of positive attention, he is just smitten. He is socially clueless, but he still ended up with two good friends in his current class.

So, he's only 3 now? His social skills will likely change immensely by the time school starts in August.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone asked about how they plan to address social conflicts. It sounds like all three classes will be in the playground at once, which freaks me out (teachers chat amongst themselves, and kids are cruel). Do they have any kind of conflict resolution plan? I didn't hear any emphasis at the open house on social inclusion or helping kids accept those who are different. Our child is a joy and won't be a "problem" kid, but he is a "strange bird," and I want to make sure he is somewhere where he is safe and accepted.

I was teased mercilessly in elementary school - had no friends some years basically because I was weird (never disruptive or special needs, just a smart, weird kid)

What grade? My kid is a "strange bird" too. It's one reason we're leaving our current school. They'll probably bond quickly if they're in the same class.

he will be pk4. Fingers crossed they end up together. He likes everyone, and if a kid gives him any kind of positive attention, he is just smitten. He is socially clueless, but he still ended up with two good friends in his current class.

So, he's only 3 now? His social skills will likely change immensely by the time school starts in August.

He's almost 4. Yes, I hope so, but he's been behind in social skills always. Didn't wave till 16 months etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone asked about how they plan to address social conflicts. It sounds like all three classes will be in the playground at once, which freaks me out (teachers chat amongst themselves, and kids are cruel). Do they have any kind of conflict resolution plan? I didn't hear any emphasis at the open house on social inclusion or helping kids accept those who are different. Our child is a joy and won't be a "problem" kid, but he is a "strange bird," and I want to make sure he is somewhere where he is safe and accepted.

I was teased mercilessly in elementary school - had no friends some years basically because I was weird (never disruptive or special needs, just a smart, weird kid)

What grade? My kid is a "strange bird" too. It's one reason we're leaving our current school. They'll probably bond quickly if they're in the same class.

he will be pk4. Fingers crossed they end up together. He likes everyone, and if a kid gives him any kind of positive attention, he is just smitten. He is socially clueless, but he still ended up with two good friends in his current class.

So, he's only 3 now? His social skills will likely change immensely by the time school starts in August.

He's almost 4. Yes, I hope so, but he's been behind in social skills always. Didn't wave till 16 months etc.

If you are that concerned, have you had him evaluated by Early Stages?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone asked about how they plan to address social conflicts. It sounds like all three classes will be in the playground at once, which freaks me out (teachers chat amongst themselves, and kids are cruel). Do they have any kind of conflict resolution plan? I didn't hear any emphasis at the open house on social inclusion or helping kids accept those who are different. Our child is a joy and won't be a "problem" kid, but he is a "strange bird," and I want to make sure he is somewhere where he is safe and accepted.

I was teased mercilessly in elementary school - had no friends some years basically because I was weird (never disruptive or special needs, just a smart, weird kid)

What grade? My kid is a "strange bird" too. It's one reason we're leaving our current school. They'll probably bond quickly if they're in the same class.

he will be pk4. Fingers crossed they end up together. He likes everyone, and if a kid gives him any kind of positive attention, he is just smitten. He is socially clueless, but he still ended up with two good friends in his current class.

So, he's only 3 now? His social skills will likely change immensely by the time school starts in August.

He's almost 4. Yes, I hope so, but he's been behind in social skills always. Didn't wave till 16 months etc.

If you are that concerned, have you had him evaluated by Early Stages?

Not that concerned - I think he is just never going to be very socially keyed in. Both his parents are awkward introverts, so it is in his blood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone asked about how they plan to address social conflicts. It sounds like all three classes will be in the playground at once, which freaks me out (teachers chat amongst themselves, and kids are cruel). Do they have any kind of conflict resolution plan? I didn't hear any emphasis at the open house on social inclusion or helping kids accept those who are different. Our child is a joy and won't be a "problem" kid, but he is a "strange bird," and I want to make sure he is somewhere where he is safe and accepted.

I was teased mercilessly in elementary school - had no friends some years basically because I was weird (never disruptive or special needs, just a smart, weird kid)

What grade? My kid is a "strange bird" too. It's one reason we're leaving our current school. They'll probably bond quickly if they're in the same class.

he will be pk4. Fingers crossed they end up together. He likes everyone, and if a kid gives him any kind of positive attention, he is just smitten. He is socially clueless, but he still ended up with two good friends in his current class.

So, he's only 3 now? His social skills will likely change immensely by the time school starts in August.

He's almost 4. Yes, I hope so, but he's been behind in social skills always. Didn't wave till 16 months etc.

If you are that concerned, have you had him evaluated by Early Stages?

Not that concerned - I think he is just never going to be very socially keyed in. Both his parents are awkward introverts, so it is in his blood.

May be true, but I'd also venture that a lot will change between now and when school starts.