Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

Clwp's post reminded of something I've been meaning to post/ask advice about.

An opportunity has come up that would allow my older DD to attend a special education pre-K in the elementary school I work at. She's not eligible for the regular ed pre-k because she's too young (will be 3 next school year).

The county I work in is really pushing for more inclusion for our self contained classes and this includes our early intervention class. The morning class is usually 3 year olds and lower functioning 4 year olds. Because we have a regular ed pre-k with *typical* 4 year olds, the afternoon early intervention class gets inclusion opportunities there.

To help the morning early intervention class get more appropriate inclusion opportunities, it's been proposed allowing "typical" children under the age of 4 to attend the morning class.

Maddie is just the right age for this class and would be a fantastic language model for these kids. The classroom teacher has already approached me about it and my immediate reaction was "Absolutely!" because I just love this teacher and really am in awe at what an incredible early childhood interventionist she is. I am always honored to say I work with her.

Then, I talked with DH about it and he's worried about Mads picking up "bad behaviors" because he knows that many of these kids have some pretty serious issues. It comes with the territory- if a child is unable to communicate effectively then they get frustrated and may act out. I've come home (not often) with bruises and scratches and (more often) tales of 45 minute tantrums complete with 4 letter words. At the same time, I am proud and excited at how far those same children go by the end of the school year.

So I guess my question is: would you let your 3 year old attend an early intervention class with children who may have behavioral problems? I'm not worried that these kids are language delayed because part of the curriculum involves differentiation, so Mads would be doing the same activities, just at her level. There will be other "typical" 3 year olds as well- not just her.

The pros would be:
in the same building as me
could be 5 days a week if I want
is free
being taught by a talented teacher I hold in the highest regard
an exposure to children who are different from her

Cons:
picking up "bad habits"
possibility of getting hit by another child
not being challenged enough

Thanks for any and all responses!

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

I'd try it, whats the harm in giving it a shot?

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

That's really tough. Since you trust and like this teacher, could you talk to her about it and express your concerns and see what she suggests? How is Maddie, maturity-wise? What I mean is, if you do decide she should attend, can you discuss proper behavior with her and although other kids in class may not behave properly, that she knows what to do? Will she "get" that?

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

Posted by KateDevine

I'd try it, whats the harm in giving it a shot?

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

My DS was in a preschool like this. I loved it! He got to benefit from PT and OT pushing in even though he didnt need it. There were no seriously emotionally impaired kids, mostly physical or speech delays.

ETA: Plus I was able to expose him to diversity at a young age, and that was important to me

Message edited 4/1/2010 8:13:42 PM.

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

Posted by Porrruss

Posted by KateDevine

I'd try it, whats the harm in giving it a shot?

That's my feeling totally. DH is really the one with the reservations. He feels I might be thinking more about the positive benefits for the other kids over the benefits to our own DD. Then again, he doesn't work with these kids every day and sees what a great class it is.

Another problem is we'd be giving up her slot in her current nursery school. I don't want her doing 5 days a week right off the bat. i just feel it would be too much for her. I would just replace her days at the community based pre-k with the school-based pre-K.

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

Message edited 4/1/2010 8:19:46 PM.

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

Message edited 11/28/2011 3:50:05 PM.

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

Well, I can say that you'll always have to worry about her picking up other children's behavior, no matter what type of class she's in. I deal with it with Ava on a regular basis and we approach it from the aspect that it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing because SHE needs to do the right thing. And it's been working. She's old enough to understand that, and hopefully Maddie will be, too.
I would say that the ONLY thing that would bother me would be the lack of academic challenges for her, but that's me. Many people see preschool as a chance to socialize and interact and develop many other skills. If I had a different child, my answer might be different, so I can only answer for a kid like Ava, who is reading and writing already.
I say try it out and see how it goes. It doesn't have to be permanent, but be honest and upfront with the teacher about your concerns and hopefully she can hear you out and offer some insight into how those things will be handled.

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

Message edited 4/1/2010 8:31:28 PM.

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

You *might* be a little biased in favor due to your career, that's possible... One of the first things you could do is talk (jointly) to the teacher and ask about Tony's concerns, chances are she's seen this occur and has strategies to work with that. Also get some references for parents whose kids went through the same class and ask about their experiences.
The truth is Mads will be in regular school so very soon - and there will be good and bad behaviors there that she will "model" as well. if you feel that she is physically safe, I'd go for it -- any bad behaviors she picks up can be corrected, and from what you posted about her behavior in her current "school" she totally *knows* what's ok and what's not.

And um no, "rambunctioness" is not a word Rambunctiousness is though.... {{snigger}}

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

Posted by colette

And um no, "rambunctioness" is not a word Rambunctiousness is though.... {{snigger}}

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

I actually TRIED to get DD into the integrated class by me (Hagedorn Little VIllage School). They only take 6 non-special ed. and we are 5th on the waiting list. I am really disappointed.

So I would say YES, I not only would allow but would ENCOURAGE this situation for DD.

They will learn the alphabet, numbers etc. anywwhere, but where else will they learn acceptance and empathy??

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

My SIL had her DD (DH's niece) in a similar program. SIL worked in either the building or the district and niece was the only child in the group who was not on the autism spectrum. We don't see them regularly but I think it was really good for her overall and I know her mom and my MIL were pleased (MIL is a retired K teacher). Not sure if it was her maturing or the program or a mix of factors but she'd been a difficult child and I saw definite changes in her.

Re: Spinoff to "allowing your child to play" (very long)......

very interesting topic for me...because I'm on the opposite end and I'm glad to see these responses. We're still in the CPSE phase but at the very least DS will be in our district's integrated preschool. The class is 9:30-11:30 for 3 year olds. They take 8 typical children who go for 3 days a week and 6 "pre-school disabled" who go 5 days a week.

We went to the open house in January which was more meant for the typical parents but it was my first time to see the actaul classroom so we went. I have to say, some parents acted short of disgusted that their child would be in the classroom with "pre-school disabled". I didn't know if I wanted to cry or jump over a table and pounce.

I can certainly understand the concern but agree that behavioral concerns will be everywhere. DS has always been in a typical daycare and if I can't tell you how many times I've seen the typical children drop-kick one another, put each other in a headlock, pull hair, etc.

I'm thankful for parents like you who enroll your children in these types of programs because I think they are invaluable for children like mine.