Going to School

Finnegan is almost two years old and we can't believe it. He is learning so much and is such a joy to be around.

Many months ago, Doug and I decided to that it was time to put Finnegan into some kind of school because he is such a social child. So we looked as a few daycare centers and one highly recommended by our neighbors.
The different places ranged from glorified babysitting with terrible food to a curriculum driven pre-school with organic food. We were really thankful for the recommendations because we settled on the Northwest Child Development Center in the Queen Anne neighborhood about two miles from our house.

After three weeks, we know that we made the correct decision because Finnegan is thriving. He loves going to school three days a week where he eats several tasty organic meals and snacks each day and joins in activities that develop his communication, motor and cognitive skills. He has developed so much in just nine days.

At home he now helps us set the table by ferrying plates, napkins, silverware and condiments to their proper places. He can prepare cookie batter and form the dough into balls and place them on cookie sheets and yesterday he prepared the batter for a very tasty french toast breakfast. Meal preparation is so much fun because he loves to help.

Each day we hear him expand his vocabulary. His vocalizations are now becoming conversations. With the combination of sign language and is new word usage, he commuicates very well with us.

Last year Doug and I had many discussions about daycare and we just weren't sure we wanted to do it. Doug was very comfortable with keeping Finnegan at home because that's what he grew up with, but we noticed how happy Finn was when surrounded by other children. When we were on vacation he had so much fun socializing with children in France, Austria and Holland that we knew it was time he had a more structured environment that would stimulate his mind.

The things that I like most about the NWCDC is that they started out as a school for children with disabilities and eventually opened it's doors to include all children. It's a great environment because the children learn and play with others who have varying physical and development abilities. One of Finnegan's classmates, Nora, has Down's Syndrome, but there are speech therapists and physical therapists on staff who assist her every day.

It's amazing to see how patient the teachers and therapists are with all the children and to witness the kids eating, cleaning up after meals, washing hands, and playing together. They are learning manners for sitting at the breakfast table and for playing together and to be self-sufficient little helpers at home.

It's a wonderful place that is the only one of it's kind in the Northwest region and we are so thankful that Finnegan has the opportunity to attend such a unique school.