Talk to Me About Regret

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We chose Montessori over language immersion for pre k 3. Now we regret the decision. Will these early jitters pass or did we royally mess up? Anyone else experience a similar situation?

You have NOT royally messed up. You made your choice for whatever pertinent reason: better commute, better vibes from admin, friendly staff or parents. If you decide it's a poor fit over time, then play the lottery again. I have switched DC from bilingual montessori to plain bilingual to monolingual...some regrets, but some clear positives with each move.

[Anonymous]

I know people at all the HRCS. None of these schools are perfect. Everyone has some complaints. Bilingualism is no panacea. Give your school a chance.

[Anonymous]

I'm at a Montessori school. I know several families there who chose it over the most popular immersion programs. They believe in a Montessori curriculum in general and in our school's team in particular. Yes, they regret the will have to work hard for their kids to be fluent in another language (though there are lots of fluent adults who didn't go to immersion schools) but they don't regret their choice. You can't have everything. People who give up Montessori for immersion give up things too.

I guess those in a Montessori immersion school (with an arts and music focused aftercare) can have everything, but otherwise it is all a trade off.

Go in 100% on the school you choose and reevaluate before the lottery deadline in the spring.

[Anonymous]

Shining Stars starts on Monday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Enjoy your free daycare

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This. and stop buying into the hype. being sorta bilingual in spanish/english is really not that amazing, nor does is open secret doors.

Could not agree more!

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine choosing Montessori over bilingualism. I also can't imagine PreK3 is too late. This isn't Manhattan (yet).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine choosing Montessori over bilingualism. I also can't imagine PreK3 is too late. This isn't Manhattan (yet).

Bilingual exposure just isn't a priority for many families. See the long waitlists at its and cmi. Do what is right for your family. Second language isn't a priority for mine so we chose Montessori

[Anonymous]

It's playdoh and storytime. There's nothing to mess up.

On the plus side, you probably have a really nice life if this is your big regret.

[Anonymous]

By the time your kid is in 3rd or 4th grade, you will probably struggle to remember the PreS3 teacher's name. Pick a solid school for K+ and you're good.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the encouraging words. First time pre school parent jitters I suppose.

[Anonymous]

There will always be the "what if"

Back before the common lottery, we got it into a bunch of schools (including several HRCS with language). Go with what you feel is best for your child now - and reasses as your child develops.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Enjoy your free daycare

\

This. and stop buying into the hype. being sorta bilingual in spanish/english is really not that amazing, nor does is open secret doors.

what a stupid comment. it's no "secret door" that spanish is the main language to travel/ work/ live in dozens of countries

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Enjoy your free daycare

\

This. and stop buying into the hype. being sorta bilingual in spanish/english is really not that amazing, nor does is open secret doors.

what a stupid comment. it's no "secret door" that spanish is the main language to travel/ work/ live in dozens of countries

Having said that, OP, it's way too early to know if the new school is a good fit. Give it a chance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Enjoy your free daycare

\

This. and stop buying into the hype. being sorta bilingual in spanish/english is really not that amazing, nor does is open secret doors.

what a stupid comment. it's no "secret door" that spanish is the main language to travel/ work/ live in dozens of countries

Only if your kid actually wants to travel/work/live in those dozens of countries. You have no way of knowing, so it's best to pick a school in which that you think you and your child will be happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Enjoy your free daycare

\

This. and stop buying into the hype. being sorta bilingual in spanish/english is really not that amazing, nor does is open secret doors.

what a stupid comment. it's no "secret door" that spanish is the main language to travel/ work/ live in dozens of countries

Only if your kid actually wants to travel/work/live in those dozens of countries. You have no way of knowing, so it's best to pick a school in which that you think you and your child will be happy.

Also I have yet to meet any HRCS immersion students that are truly bilingual (and weren't already from home). Many that do go to these schools lack in other subjects. OTOH, I know plenty of adults that learned a language after elementary just fine. No thanks for me on "immersion" too.