When I was in second and third grades I was in a program called Mentally Gifted Minors or MGM. It was a great program. The program met on a different campus on certain days. Those students in the program rode the bus to the other school on those days. MGM was self-led study. It was very enjoyable and I learned a lot.
My sister’s children all went to a Montessori school for pre-school and some for kindergarten as well. They all had very good experiences and did well in school. I was interested in Montessori for Jessie.
Jessie is going to be three on November 16, 2010. I figured it’s time to start thinking about pre-school. I have my heart set on Montessori because self-led education worked so well for me and my niece and nephews; I feel if my entire educational career had been that way it would have gone much better. Watching the way Jessie plays and interacts with people, how she is in ECI class, and how she participates at Gymboree, I think that Montessori is the right choice for her.
I am so lucky. There is a real Montessori school fewer than ten miles from our house. Most everywhere I go for our activities is an hour away. Even where I go to get groceries is 15 to 20 minutes away, so fewer than ten miles is a welcome change.
I got Jessie enrolled and she was due to start in the toddler room with the Fall 2010 Session. I was so excited. I was so excited until I got the school calendar. Seeing the start date right in front of me made it all too real. I cried. Jessie’s not ready. I’m not ready.
Jessie doesn’t have to start school until kindergarten. What is my rush to put her in school when she’s two?