https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 02:39:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717722 Wed, 29 Mar 2017 09:21:07 +0000 bubblegum 2717722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jackiedavis87: You're so sweet! Thank you. I needed that today. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717719 Wed, 29 Mar 2017 09:14:23 +0000 arosebyany 2717719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice, I just wanted to tell you, you're doing a great job mama! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717689 Wed, 29 Mar 2017 08:12:23 +0000 bubblegum 2717689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@magnolia: Aww thank you! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717558 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 16:34:57 +0000 magnolia 2717558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work in the evaluation process with kindergarten students and preschoolers with ieps who receive services. Integrated pre school settings are great! As someone who has seen children who have not been exposed to school settings versus those who have been in preschool there is a huge difference! If you weren't worried. I would say you weren't doing your job as a mom. But it's going to hugely beneficial for your child! Research shows earlier exposure and services really benefits kids with ieps. I wish you the best in your journey! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717538 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:52:39 +0000 bubblegum 2717538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@eimama: Thank you so much for your input. I completely agree! I know he will be different in school since it is a different environment. The letter I wrote them is mainly just stating his disorders and how we typically handle them, such as weight vest and things along those lines. Thank you for taking out the time to write to me. I really appreciate it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717525 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:18:39 +0000 eimama 2717525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've spent 11 years as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in preschools and Early Intervention, all your thoughts, questions, concerns, etc...are very normal! Every mama goes through this. First thing, if you just visited the school yesterday then you have to take into account that probably the majority of the children you saw have been in the school since the beginning of the school year so they've had months of experience and practice!! The first few days and weeks can be challenging for ANY child, needs or not. It takes time for everyone to get to know each other and adjust to new routine and expectations. In kind and respectful ways, definitely communicate as much as possible to the team and teachers that will be working with your kiddo. They may think you're nuts but you know him best and therefore are his best advocate. That being said, also respect their years of experience and that school is a very different environment from home so what works in one environment might not work in a different one. Transitioning to school is a growing process for everyone, kiddos and their families. I wouldn't worry too much about the other children. Young children are absolutely notorious for saying whatever they think but at the same time, they are most often incredibly accepting. In my years of experience I've worked in classroom with so many children with such significant needs, physical deformities, etc...and yes children will mention it, talk about it, but that's ok. They're trying to learn and process through the world around them. It's so beautiful as a teacher to watch though, you just explain to them why so and so can't talk, walk, see, etc...and how we are all different but still so similar. Almost 100% of the time the kiddos with questions just say "ok" and move on. They just needed to have an answer, shushing them or not talking about it often creates unnecessary fears because then they get a sense that something is "wrong" if no one will talk about it. Kids are so intuitive! In the classrooms I've worked in we often talk about the classroom being a community and a community works together. This helps teach empathy on all sides and if someone needs a little extra support or needs to do something a different way to access the environment, so often it's the other kiddos stepping up to meet the need. One more thing, if you are currently using specific tools such as apps, visuals, schedules or anything to help with communication and behavior, ask the school if you can bring in an extra set for them to use initially. I've had a number of parents do that and it can be very helpful for a child to initially see familiar tools. Best of luck! And with such a supportive mama, I'm sure your little guy will do great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717520 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:16:36 +0000 bubblegum 2717520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ElbieKay: No I agree 100% I really thing he's going to be a totally different kid in school </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717485 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 14:15:52 +0000 ElbieKay 2717485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son, who has been complication-free and did not require EI, behaves 1,000 times better at school than he does for me at home. He totally ignores me most of the time, and in all the photos they send from daycare he participates just like the other kids.</p> <p>I have no idea what challenges your son faces, but I don't think you should assume that he will behave in a classroom identically to the way he behaves at home. Peer pressure is an amazing thing. And he's spent his entire life testing your limits, but a teacher is a brand new stranger so he has no idea what he'll be allowed to get away with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717472 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 13:52:23 +0000 bubblegum 2717472@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Goose: I'm so happy to hear. That I really want to do my best to provide his educators will all the information necessary to make it a great experience for everyone. That's what I'm hoping! I hope its a great learning opportunity for him and he really enjoys it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717468 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 13:43:01 +0000 Mrs. Goose 2717468@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No kid does well at the beginning, even the kids who don't have special needs. As a teacher/childcare worker, I would have loved to receive as much information as possible so it's great that you are planning to do that. I think it's great that you're going to put him in a preschool program; it will probably be amazing for him! You might have a bumpy ride at the beginning, but it sounds like it's a pretty good place based on your observations so go all in! You always have the option to pull out if the poop hits the fan. I'm a big believer in socialization for young kids-it's going to be good for your kid and the others in the class and don't worry about the classroom dynamic changing based on him coming in. Your kid is not the only one bringing some added character to the class, guaranteed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717467 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 13:40:11 +0000 bubblegum 2717467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pinkb: you have no idea how helpful that was for me. DS has a language disorder so this is also one of my biggest fears of the teachers not giving him the time necessary to express himself. Your situation makes me hopeful however. I started writing my personal information for the teacher and although it's long I think it's really going to help. YES I want to be sure that any problems that arise are quickly addressed. Especially since DS has a difficult talking, I am his lifeline of communication to insure that things go smoothly so I want to be a part of the team so teachers know I am here to help. I am hoping that just like your DD, school gives my son the tools he needs to learn and thrive in school and in general situations as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717445 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 12:58:12 +0000 pinkb 2717445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is in preschool with an IEP for speech. She goes m-f from 730 a 2. Totally understand you fears and they are all ok to have! DD is also in a classroom with half "typical" kids her age and half with IEPs. She received speech 2 times a week for 30 minutes each in a group setting with anywhere from 1 to 3 other children. When we started I gave them a quick rundown on DD on their questionare and in person when we went for the introduction. We have hit a few speed bumps along the way, she started last August. Just make sure to voice any concerns you have right away if/ when they come up. Don't let it stew, the teachers need the feedback. some of DDs teachers are great but there are a couple that maybe forget not all of the children are typical in terms of speech and behavior. DD definitely gravitates towards the teachers that allow her the time she needs to think and process instead of expecting her to immediately respond.<br /> Just being in the preschool with all of the kids has helped DD so much with her speech! She has really taken to the schedule they keep and how they do things. School makes things fun and makes things like sitting still for a story easier for kids. And they always take into account each child's needs and adapt from there.<br /> I think the kids have all been more accepting of the difference between all the kids than the teachers though. Older adults, even teachers sometimes forget it's ok to be different. We have one teacher who had hit a couple of hot buttons for me on this point. But DD picks up on these things too and like I said she gravitates to the other teachers ;)<br /> Sorry to ramble. Just wanted to say I am sure your DS will do great! I don't think the teachers are bothered by the individual information on the children. I would expect them to know everything by heart of what you are telling them. But I think the more info the better. It has worked both ways for us. The school has given DD ways to cope and deal with behavioral issues that we had not tried and really work for her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717316 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 10:03:02 +0000 bubblegum 2717316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Thank you so much! That's truly how I feel. It may come off as nuts at first but I think it will be super useful.</p> <p>Hahahaha that's what I'm thinking too! Like no way but hey kids surprise you! I feel like kid LOVES to make me look like a moron. I'll be like he's not really a cookie lover, someone will offer him a cookie and he'll take it no problem. Like thanks kid! You make it seem like I don't know you at all lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717306 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 09:48:38 +0000 looch 2717306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you have to do what you need to do, and if that means writing the full work up, you should do it. Information is power.</p> <p>I remember when I toured daycares for my 2 year old and I saw all the kids sitting for story time on their little piece of tape with their name on it. I was like haha, this isn't happening, but lo and behold, it did! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/pre-school-for-ei-and-iep-child#post-2717300 Tue, 28 Mar 2017 09:40:48 +0000 bubblegum 2717300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS has been in EI for almost a year and will be transitioning into the EI program for children over 3 come this late Spring. He has already seen the new program service coordinator and their therapist panel. He was given an IEP and thankfully granted all the same services he was receiving before. However, the therapy sessions and cut down drastically but we're still thankful. Due to there being no peer interaction at home, other than a new baby coming before he ages out, they want him to attend a pre-school for 2.5 hours, 3 times a week, where he will be able to have peer interaction and receive his services. I think this is a great idea. I went to the school yesterday and it seems to be a nice fit for him. However, of course this is the nervous mama in me, I saw the children sitting there so nicely and listening and all I could think was OMG that is not how my child will be. But given!!! These children could have started off just like my son and adjusted to a classroom setting and the rules. </p> <p>I know I have to do this for him to grow and become more able to control his emotions when it comes to peer interaction and classroom environments. </p> <p>I'm thinking of writing a full work up of all his disorders and behavioral issues and tools to help. The director encouraged me to do so but I can picture the teacher's face now...this mom is NUTS. </p> <p>I know the teacher has tons of experience with children of special needs and children who do not, (the classroom is main stream so it's half children with IEPs and half of children who do not) but I still worry that in the beginning it is going to be a battle. I worry about my babe but also the other children. I know their parents know it's an inclusive environment but I'm just hopeful the children are as educated as 3-5 years olds can be, that all kids are different and that's okay.</p> <p>I just needed to vent. It may be the pregnancy hormones or just my protective mama instincts but I just wanna be sure I'm making the right choice. </p>