Forum Index
»
Preschool and Daycare Discussion
pre-school in NW DC or Bethesda CC for shy child?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
sadiegirl
Member Offline
Member Offline
| My DC is currently very shy with strangers and large groups of people. DC hates participating in "circle time" or other group activities and just turns into himself. At home and around friends he is VERY social. I want his first school experience to be a positive one so I am wondering if anyone can recommend a particular pre-school that their own "shy" child has flourished in. Thanks in advance. |
Anonymous
| SfF... the student/teacher ratio is around 1:5 so there is lots of one on one. My DC was shy and did not like to preform (you know, do projects at the same time as everyone, respond to questions that did not seem important),,, does very well in the low pressure, nurturing environ |
Anonymous
| Little Folks has a wonderful nurturing atmosphere and a big emphasis on the social aspects of life - enough structure to provide a predictable flow to the day but some choice in activities, etc. . . |
Anonymous
|
OP, your son sounds similar to mine -- despite being extremely verbal and social with family and adults, he hated any class or other event that involved circle time and group activity. He particularly disliked big storytime sessions at the library, etc. I was worried about how he'd adapt to pre-school.
He started this year at Temple Sinai Nursery School (he's 3), and that hesitation has melted away. From day one, he loved the place, and he participates in circle time, even the school-wide Friday group sings, happily. I credit this evolution to TSNS and the extremely thoughtful, individual approach they take with each child. Leading up the school year, the school had us answer an extensive set of questions about how our son plays, engages with others, etc., that the teachers had clearly read closely before making a home visit to meet our son the week before school started. Then, the first weeks of the school year include a formal transition process, with only half the class coming for short periods of time for the first week or so, then the whole class meets for an abbreviated period for another week before the normal schedule kicks in. I talk regularly with my son's teachers, and it's clear that they think about him as an individual and focus on ways to help him develop socially. Our lead teacher even called me to suggest that my son have a playdate with another boy in the class based on her sense of their personalities. The teachers are kind, compassionate, and highly qualified (most have master's degrees); most important, they care deeply about the children and seem to truly enjoy spending their days with them. It is a Jewish school, but it's welcoming to people of all faiths (or lack thereof -- although I'm culturally Jewish, my husband is not, and we consider ourselves a-religious). I simply can't speak highly enough of TSNS. |
Anonymous
| CCBC has been fantastic for my shy only child. They had teacher visits before school started, and each class has fostered a sense of community that has helped her with her confidence. Good luck. |
Anonymous
| St. Columbas in NW DC--small classes, very nurturing environment. |
Anonymous
|
My preschool in Chevy Chase specializes in the Reggio-Emilia approach. Our class size is 8 children ages 2-4. I encourage you to consider the Reggio approach. In addition to my program, there are Reggio schools in Georgetown and Capitol Hill. To learn more about Reggio, read the Wikipedia posting at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggio_Emilia_approach.
For more information about my program, visit www.ChevyChaseReggio.com. Happy Holidays. Patricia |
Anonymous
|
My DS is actually the same as you describe OP.
We have him enrolled in Concord-St. Andrews Co-op Nursery School in Bethesda. The school is fantastic. They really work with him, without being too aggressive. |