Stories from our Community

Does Your Child Struggle With Transitions? Ours Did Too.

Does your kid hate transitions? Mine did! At 2 years in his preschool class at a different school he resisted all transitions – wouldn’t get on the “snack train”, didn’t want to join in circle time – not because he was being defiant, but because he hated being pulled out of his flow state when he was working on something. I was worried that school would never be a good fit for him!

I’m SO glad we found Woodland Park Cooperative School. With their long stretches of truly child-led open play, it was the perfect fit for my son. He could finally close the loop on whichever learning activity he was working on – putting the finishing touches on a painting, building an epic train track, or perfecting his drum solo – without feeling rushed.

Now, 3 years later, he’s nearing the end of the Kindergarten program at Woodland Park Cooperative School (which still has long stretches of open play, but also with more structure and group activities built in) and I am not at all worried about his transition to Seattle Public Schools next fall. He just needed some extra time to learn as young children do – on their own schedule and through play – and now he’s ready for that next stage.

If this sounds like your kid, schedule a tour with Woodland Park Cooperative School!