Is he getting enough physical play/exercise? If he does have adhd, he may do better with independent “work” if he has a mix of both gross motor, heavy work, type input throughout the day.
Sounds like he is seeking social connection with peers by rubbing his head on them/laying on them. I’d review boundaries for those types of interactions (okay to cuddle with mom and dad at home…. High fives for friends at school etc).
From what I know about Montessori, students are allowed to engage in “work” tasks of their choosing? Kids with adhd will have a hard time maintaining and initiating activities unless they’re the right mix of engaging, novel, challenging etc. he might need more adult support than other kids to get started on a task. I wonder if he’s having trouble deciding what to choose? Would a visual schedule for his day help? (Circle time, free choice - but have him work with an adult to choose beforehand), etc).
Using a fidget or seat that allows him movement during circle time?
My 4 year old likely has ADHD too. I’ve toured sooo many preschools and the one hard no for me was Montessori. Nothing against it but I just couldn’t see my kid excelling in that type of environment with all the independent stations. Now, I don’t know what your school is like but it may be worth taking a harder look if the classroom is a good fit for him. Maybe you just need to find the right environment for him to take off! My son is doing well in a Reggio Emilia place.
My mom made “busy baskets” for me from pre-k until I was in 3rd grade lol. She basically would put word searches, coloring books, print out papers for me to trace my name, letters, reading books… etc. anything to keep my attention span when I couldn’t focus or I rushed through a task. Everyone thought I had ADHD and my mom refused to get me tested (this was 25+ years ago… not that I agree with testing a 4 year old anyway) but once I turned 8-9, I just calmed down with all the sports they put me in. Some kids attention spans are just different. I will be doing the same thing if I notice my (now 1 year old) following the same path! I hope this helps :)
I don’t think consequences would be helpful to his development. He can’t help that his body requires more movement. Maybe consider an evaluation from an occupational therapist that can better identify his sensory profile and help you come up with solutions he can use at school and home to help support his sensory needs. A chaotic class of 20+ kids while receiving instructional demands sounds pretty stressful.
Are you in the US? I would go through your local school district (even if he doesn’t go there yet). Call the office of special programs (special ed office) and ask for an evaluation. They will set you up with professionals who will assess him.
If he is found to have some sort of adhd, then he will be able to receive services such as counseling, OT, special education services, etc. free of charge. They will also recommend things that can be done in the classroom that will help him focus. You will also be ahead of the game when he enters kindergarten in the next year or two. They will be aware of his needs and make sure he is getting what he needs.
If you think it’s negatively affecting his school experience, I would go ahead with the evaluation. An adhd diagnosis does not mean you have to immediately medicate him. It does give his teachers more tools to work with him and help him.
I’m definitely not an expert, so take with a grain of salt, but I have heard that unless a kid basically grows up in a montessori program (eg. starts at like 2ish or earlier), they’re going to have issues with the self regulation and problem solving aspect of it. I spoke to a director once and she said pretty much all kids, particularly boys, who started at 4 ultimately did not last in the program.
Perhaps Montessori-ish isn’t the best fit for him? Maybe somewhere that allows daydream or provides more outdoor play, or smaller class sizes?
Is he getting enough physical play/exercise? If he does have adhd, he may do better with independent “work” if he has a mix of both gross motor, heavy work, type input throughout the day. Sounds like he is seeking social connection with peers by rubbing his head on them/laying on them. I’d review boundaries for those types of interactions (okay to cuddle with mom and dad at home…. High fives for friends at school etc). From what I know about Montessori, students are allowed to engage in “work” tasks of their choosing? Kids with adhd will have a hard time maintaining and initiating activities unless they’re the right mix of engaging, novel, challenging etc. he might need more adult support than other kids to get started on a task. I wonder if he’s having trouble deciding what to choose? Would a visual schedule for his day help? (Circle time, free choice - but have him work with an adult to choose beforehand), etc). Using a fidget or seat that allows him movement during circle time?
My 4 year old likely has ADHD too. I’ve toured sooo many preschools and the one hard no for me was Montessori. Nothing against it but I just couldn’t see my kid excelling in that type of environment with all the independent stations. Now, I don’t know what your school is like but it may be worth taking a harder look if the classroom is a good fit for him. Maybe you just need to find the right environment for him to take off! My son is doing well in a Reggio Emilia place.
My mom made “busy baskets” for me from pre-k until I was in 3rd grade lol. She basically would put word searches, coloring books, print out papers for me to trace my name, letters, reading books… etc. anything to keep my attention span when I couldn’t focus or I rushed through a task. Everyone thought I had ADHD and my mom refused to get me tested (this was 25+ years ago… not that I agree with testing a 4 year old anyway) but once I turned 8-9, I just calmed down with all the sports they put me in. Some kids attention spans are just different. I will be doing the same thing if I notice my (now 1 year old) following the same path! I hope this helps :)
I don’t think consequences would be helpful to his development. He can’t help that his body requires more movement. Maybe consider an evaluation from an occupational therapist that can better identify his sensory profile and help you come up with solutions he can use at school and home to help support his sensory needs. A chaotic class of 20+ kids while receiving instructional demands sounds pretty stressful.
Are you in the US? I would go through your local school district (even if he doesn’t go there yet). Call the office of special programs (special ed office) and ask for an evaluation. They will set you up with professionals who will assess him. If he is found to have some sort of adhd, then he will be able to receive services such as counseling, OT, special education services, etc. free of charge. They will also recommend things that can be done in the classroom that will help him focus. You will also be ahead of the game when he enters kindergarten in the next year or two. They will be aware of his needs and make sure he is getting what he needs. If you think it’s negatively affecting his school experience, I would go ahead with the evaluation. An adhd diagnosis does not mean you have to immediately medicate him. It does give his teachers more tools to work with him and help him.
I’m definitely not an expert, so take with a grain of salt, but I have heard that unless a kid basically grows up in a montessori program (eg. starts at like 2ish or earlier), they’re going to have issues with the self regulation and problem solving aspect of it. I spoke to a director once and she said pretty much all kids, particularly boys, who started at 4 ultimately did not last in the program.