End of an era

14 comments

Today was the end of an era for our little family. After three years, it was TF’s last day at the fantastic Montessori kindergarten that two of our children have attended. Did I shed a tear? Um… yes, but I said our good-byes fast before it was a flood!

The kindergarten has given them a wonderful, confident start and I wish we could have stayed longer. The teacher feedback has provided me with insights, about each of my children’s learning styles,  that I may never have reached by myself. I can’t even begin to say how much the children have benefitted from this method and the lovely environment. If I could just give one example about why I think it suited my children, it would be the activity TF completed this afternoon.

TF and I sat down with a bag of felt beads, thin elastic and a very sharp needle. I threaded the elastic onto the needle. The felt beads had no holes and are fairly firm, so the needle needed a bit of pressure to push it through.

TF selected each bead and pushed the needle through. I watched.  Every time, the needle came out exactly the right side of the bead. He did not prick himself. Not once. He held it safely and knew how to position his hand in just the right way so that he did not get pricked. He has only just turned four and we have not played this game before, but he knew what to do. I honestly believe that the last two years of Montessori skills have set him up to meet this kind of challenge.

As you can see, he totally loves the results. Strangely, he would not wear it to school to pick up the girls (did not want to be mistaken for a girl), but wearing it to the dentist was a definite must!

(Postnote: I am determined to continue as much of this approach at home, but I am going to miss the support of the kindergarten. Any book recommendations for the next stage?)

14 comments

    1. There should be a law against it. I look round sometimes and he seems to have grown several years let alone inches taller. Loving every stage.

  2. Amazing! Many people have told me that montessori would do my son a world of good. He’s been in a Reggio Emilia program thus far after a brief stint in Waldorf (what a disaster that was!). I am sure he would be a lot farther along on some very basic fine motor skills now if he had had the Montessori experience. But, somehow we never found the right fit. Happily he has thrived anyway. And tomorrow we will say goodbye to his first and most beloved teacher. So sad. But so much gratitude.

    1. Every child is different and I think I’ve been lucky that the kindergarten was in easy driving distance and it was right for my children. I wish that I had sent the eldest, when she was that age. If wishes were fishes…..

  3. aawww bless him that is really sweet. I know just how you feel. It was my sons last day at Primary school yesterday and an end of a 14 year era for me i have no more links with the school and from September both my boys will be in High school. I did feel sad to especaily when he woke up in tears because it was his last day and some of his friends are going to different schools. Bless them. dee x

    1. Heartbreaking. At that age they can appreciate that they will not be going back. Little TF is unemotional about it as he doesn’t really understand. After two years at school, BL still talks fondly about her time at the kindergarten. Unfortunately, the school she goes to, does not follow the method, so I need to do more at home. Not that I’m complaining.

  4. I read a wonderful article about motherhood that made the point that by doing the best we can we actually set ourselves up for heartbreak ….and it’s these transitions that always bring it home to me! On to the next stage with a brave smile and the knowledge you are doing a fantastic job! Happy Holidays Em xx

    1. You’re right. If it wasn’t the right choice to begin with, then it wouldn’t be a wrench to leave. The price you pay when you invest your emotional self in a project. Feeling slightly better and very determined to keep going with the method.

    1. The changeover seems a great time to re-evaluate how I do things, so it is a good opportunity. Routine is so easy to sink into and not question! 🙄

  6. TF looks such a happy confident child, it’s wonderful that he had such a happy positive start to his education. It doesn’t really get any easier as they get older……………..I cried buckets when my eldest son went off to university a few years ago……………..sometimes I think it’s the hardest thing, letting go………

    lily x

    1. I’m sure I have many more moments like this ahead of me. Part of the joys of parenthood. I can only hope I set them up for the next stage. 😕

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