Preschool

Today I went to Sunnyland to observe the Preschool Carter and Addie will be attending. It is a special education preschool right in the same elementary school that Sadie goes to. In fact the twins' class is only a few doors away. I think that this will be a much better fit for them then the preschool they were enrolled in. The special needs preschool has three teacher's assistants that help the teacher the entire time as well as speach and occupational therapists that come and work with the kids intermittently throughout the week. The program is specifically designed to meet the needs of each child, the teacher kept telling me it isn't a "cookie cutter class" that it is important to her to find the best options possible for Addie and Carter. The teacher was trying to decide which time would be best for them to attend school. Options are 9:30-11:30 am with a total of 11 kids some of who are a year older then Ad and CJ, or 11:30-1:30pm with 4-5 kids the same age. A smaller class sounds great, except the time is just not right. Addie and Carter still need naps each day and the afternoon is their really cranky time. I worry they will be too tired at that time to be cooperative and in the best learning mood. I'd also like to use this opportunity to be able to work with Philip and get him ready for Kindergarten, as well as give him the one on one time that he craves.

While I was at the school I almost got teary eyed trying to decide what would be best for my kids. Sometimes just the idea of being the primary decision maker gets overwhelming. Jose rarely has an opinion in these matters because he doesn't even understand all of their needs, sensory issues, abilities and disabilities. Since I have always been the one to take them to their therapy sessions and meet with the doctors and teachers, he can't really help in these decisions. The thing is, especially with my two little special needs kiddos, I want to give them every advantage possible, but I don't want to push them too hard, or too fast either. I also don't want to underestimate their abilities, and I want to make sure they are in an excellent learning environment where they are getting challenged. I'm not really worried about them being "labeled" with disabilities like many people seem to be. I think these labels can actually help them find their learning style or adjust their surroundings to fit their needs. I think identifying their needs is just part of being a good parent, provider or educator. My kids needs are very different from eachother. They are each so unique. Carter and Addie are developing typically in many ways. They don't have significant delays in speech, cognitive or physical, their delays are primarily in adaptive and social emotional. I think that they will catch up with other children their age over time. However, they have difficulties with transitions and new situations, they don't like large groups or unfamiliar people, and they get overwhelmed easily. So mthe right environment is key. I want to remember to make decisions based on what is best for them and not most convienant for me. But maybe I just think too much about it and instead I should just put it in Gods hands and trust he will take care of them.