Local Preschool vs. Montessori

My 3-year-old will be starting preschool in the fall. The child is very intelligent (knows his ABCs, can spell some words, count to 29, etc.). However, he is a little behind socially, in part because he is home with me all day and in part because he has mild sensory/motor planning issues.
My mom and mother-in-law think he should go to the area preschool where most of the kids will ultimately go on to the same kindergarten. My husband and I are debating between that school and a Montessori school. Which is more important at this age: socialization or a more challenging curriculum? -- Decision Time
Answer: Surveys show that kindergarten teachers believe socialization skills are most important for children entering kindergarten. Either school will offer socialization; however, the local preschool has the advantage of offering a continuing relationship with the same children.
You really don't have to wait for your son to build socialization skills at school. Start working on this now. Schedule some playdates for your son. Start by having another child his age come over to play. There are so many different ways to help your son socialize. Enroll him in a library program for 3-year-olds or some other community program that is designed for children his age.