Preschool & Classes with Twins

Hi all,

My b/g twins turned 2 in January. I really don't feel the need for preschool yet, but I have a few friends that have their kids in 2 year old preschool, and 3 year old preschool - of course they are not twins. Most of them are stay at home moms, and like the break they get a couple days a week for a few hours a day. They are trying to convince me that it would be helpful for my twins to start young so that they get used to structured settings, listening to instructors, etc. I feel like they are going to be in school for the rest of their lives, and don't feel the need to start so early - just let them be kids. I am a stay at home mom, so yes, I"m sure the break would be good - but they will be going to school soon enough. I do try to do different stimulating and educational activities daily like reciting alphabet, puzzles, blocks, drawing, books, music. We do play dates as well. I probably could look into a class that we can take together at the park district - only problem is that most classes at the 2 year old age request an adult per kid, and I don't have anyone who can go with me during the week since my husband works and is often traveling. Anyway, I'm interested in how you all handle preschool with twins, when you started, if you are happy with your decision, and any other classes and such that you take with your twins. Also, if you take class with your twins, do you do it alone? I have very active kids who are into everything, so the thought of doing it alone is exhausting

 

I was a former preschool teacher and once I had the twins, I stayed home(they were my first).

My boys are now 4, and have yet to go to preschool. They will, however, be going in the fall(they miss the K cut off with a birthday in mid-October). I would have liked for them to go this past year, but wanted them in three day, not 2 or 4. And frankly, money wise-it's going to be tough to swing it.

In the past we have done various activities. I do try to get out of the house, at least once a week, for everyone's sanity! Lol! I also have a daughter who is 2.5 and the boys were 19 months old when she was born. That didn't stop me!

We've done library story hours. We do a playgroup now on Friday mornings. And we also do a music class on Wednesday's(in which I take four kids by myself; I watch an one year old three days a week). The kids LOVE the music class, and I've done it since Annabella was in the infant seat.

We do playdates when the chance arises(today we met a friend at the mall and went to Barnes and noble, etc). It's hard because all of their friends are now in school.

You definitely do not need to send them. Sure, the break would be wonderful, I won't lie. Lol! But you don't need to send them now if you don't want to. There are other ways to socialize besides just a school setting. Do wha works for YOUR family.

 

I sent them twice a week when they were 2.5. Now they are going three times a week, and next year they will be going 5 times a week. I'm very happy with it, but to be fair if we hadn't found that preschool there's no way we would have been able to afford it.. every other one was asking twice as much.

I don't think it's really necessary though... it depends a lot on you... if your kids see other kids, how good you are at teaching them, how patient you are with them, if you feel that you need the break or not.. I needed the break badly and my kids don't get to see other kids (not for lack of trying, but it's nearly impossible to find a playgroup here that doesn't have 100 members!), so it was really a no brainer for me, especially as I really don't enjoy the teaching thing!

 

I agree with Fran, it depends on what works best for you. I started my kids at age 3, 2x a week. For me, I wanted my kids to have the socialization and structure. Since the preschool is through the city Parks and Rec program, it's very affordable for two kids at the same time. Cost was definitely a factor with us.

 

Thanks for posting this, I am also wondering the same thing about preschool. I cannot speak to how beneficial (or not) preschool is, but I have decided to send my twins to preschool starting at age 3 (school starts this September). Here are the things that affected my decision:

1. They are still very attached to me. I am hoping preschool will help with their independence, as well as their social skills and listening ability.
2. I (will) have 2 younger children when they start preschool and I worry that I won't have the patience or stamina to teach them what they need to know for Kindergarten (ug, I hate how that sounds).
3. We watch the school bus pick up kids every morning and they are very interested in "school."
4. Easing them (and me) into Kindergarden. My 3 year old preschool is 2 days for 2 hours, 4 year old preschool is 3-5 days for 2 hours, and my Kindergarden is 5 days a week, 4 hours. I think that is a nice transition.
5. Hoping they will make friends that will follow them in to Kindergarten.
6. I hate to say it, but peer pressure is also affecting my decision. I don't know a single SAHM who isn't sending their child to preschool and daycare teaches a lot of the same things as preschool... I don't want my kids to be behind everyone else (see item #2).

Like the others have said, there is no wrong decision and it depends a lot on your individual situation. Check out your Kindergarten's requirements online to get an idea of what will be required of you if you decide not to send them. This also helped my decision. Good luck!

 

I sent my oldest son to 4K at a local church, because I was 8 months pregnant with baby #2 and wanted to give him something that was for him alone. It also gave me a much needed break for 3 hrs every morning while i tended to a newborn.

I sent my oldest daughter to 3K, the twins were 6 months old and, again, i wanted to give her something that was just for her, something to look forward too. I also didn't have the time to work with her like I wanted, because I had newborn twins. She's in 4K this year and loving it.

I contemplated sending the twins in the fall, to 3K. However, we just don't have the money for it. We're going to wait and send them to 4K next year.

I don't feel it was really necessary to send any of them. However, I know 4K was a great introduction to Kindergarten. Kindergarten is all day every day here. 4K was every day for 3 hrs each morning. It was a nice way to introduce them to the structure of school, of having to get up early and listening to instructions from someone who wasn't me. But if costs is still an issue next fall when we plan to send the twins, I won't lose sleep over holding them out until kindergarten starts. Fortunately our truck will be paid off this Christmas which will free up enough money to be able to send them the following year, assuming nothing major comes up between then!

 

My boys turned 2 right after Christmas, and we will definitely NOT be sending them in the fall. They get plenty of socialization with each other, at church, family gatherings, etc., and they are advanced academically, so I don't feel any pressure to send them (plus I have awesome in-home childcare). And honestly, it will mean more running around for me when I do send them, and next year will be my full time year to finish up my grad school. We probably will send them the following year, when they would be just over 3.5, and I will be working.. They won't start school until 5.5 with their December birthday, and I think 2 years of preschool is plenty.

Don't let your friends pressure you into anything. Do what you feel works for you and your kids!

As far as classes, I don't take my kids somewhere by myself right now unless they are contained in the stroller or it's somewhere very safe. For example, we don't do story time because it is on the 2nd floor of our library, right next to a very large staircase, and I can see one of them taking off and getting away in a heartbeat, climbing a bookshelf, etc. Same thing for the playground or park. I just don't feel safe taking them alone until they can listen better and not be quite so dare-devil!!

 

I started the boys in preschool the September after they turned 3. I did it for many of the reasons already stated. We did discover an unanticipated benefit to preschool. We discovered that the "mild speech issue" I thought Jon was having was actually a SEVERE expressive speech delay, which was demonstrated through behavior problems. Had he not been in preschool, I probably would not have realized how much of a problem his behavior was, and I would never have attributed it to speech delays, because he "did talk". I don't see a downside to preschool, other than cost if you can't swing the money. There are many benefits, though!

 

I have to work... so I'd had a nanny a few full days and then I'd be home 2 full days, I was getting disenchanted with the kids not behaving etc, and thought it was a bit of an issue with the days being different all the time. anyway, when they were 3 yrs 4 mo. I made the choice to send them 5 days a week mornings to preschool. They LOVE it! and I really liked the discipline that they received and the learning is a bonus.

I read in pp the part about them being in school in due time and no rush for school now... I agree, and wish sometimes that I wasn't working so much... but like the others said, do what's good for your family and no regrets!

I think there are plenty of free things to do around town - and ask about the one parent per child rule, I've had them say that, but Gymboree and Kindermusik allowed me to come with twins and just myself.

I did like the Gymboree room set up for twins, versus the open library room etc, so just check out the locations and go for it!

 

We started at 28 months because I went back to school. They are in a montessori and go five days a week from 8:30 - 3:00 p.m. It is a 9 month year and I will be home with them for 3 months this summer which I am ecstatic about. Before that I stayed at home except for a short stint at a part-time job about a year before. Unfortunately I am paying from loans until I finish my teaching degree this year so that does stink. We took our time and searched long and hard for a place we felt solid in and they love to go. If I wouldn't have gone back to school I would have put them in part-time because I needed the break and they needed more stimulation than I could give...we never had any issues and we are very very close still to this day. It was the right decision for us but I miss them and am looking forward to the summer - at 3 years we are going to do a lot! It sounds like you don't feel a need to put yours in so I think you should go with your gut. It is such a different situation for each family. I don't think there is any academic reason for them to go at 2 or 3 but that is not a reason to go anyway at that young age (I don't think..my opinion only and I know some would disagree). I think it is good from a stand point that they get a new experience and get to reach out and touch the world a bit, social encounters, yadda yadda yadda, but being home with mamma is good too. It is not the frequency they are home as much as the quality of their home time...I was not my best anymore being a full-time mom and I had to recognize that. Regarding letting kids be kids, I understand what you mean as an adult, but the fact of the matter is kids love to learn, from you, from teachers, from the world...they are like sponges for knowledge, so preschool is not forcing anything on them just like no preschool is not preventing them from anything, they are going to learn...they are going to learn wherever they are and if they are unsatisfied it will be very clear. I have three friends who teach kindergarten...their biggest difficulty is kindergarteners coming to school who have never been not knowing how to wipe their bottoms (they cannot help them by the way), blow their noses, etc, or protesting any form of structured exercises, i.e. lining up for the door, waiting your turn, etc. I think that is probably a great reason to have some preschooling at 4, but there is a ton of research showing the advantages of that if you peruse for it. Nothing is ever easy to decide - good luck mama! I don't think you have to worry about being in a hurry, and if people are pressuring you, tell them to butt out (in nice words...lol). Lastly, many of the park districts that require an adult per child are lax on moms of twins...at least here they are. I would inquire and go for it. At two there are also some tumbling classes usually at private businesses that are not too bad - and many of those are instructor led while parents watch.

 

We will be starting our girls in preschool this fall, they will be 4.5 at the time. I am like you, I figured, let kids be kids, no need to rush them into school. Anything they would do at preschool with a very young child, I already do at home with my kids (crafts, reading, playtime, etc.) So I haven't seen the need for it. I really honestly don't even care if they go this fall, but my husband is big on it and really wants them to go. I'm going to miss them! I enjoy being home with them