Preschool?

Hi all! My boys are going to be 3 in June and registration for September preschool starts next month. I've been researching preschools in my area and am starting to think I want to keep them home with me another year (do homeschool preschool) and send them at age 4.

Has anyone done that? Were you happy with your decision? I want to make sure they are prepared for K when it's time to start school, but I just don't think they are ready for preschool (even 2 days a week). I also think one of my boys (Jackson) would do better at age 3 than the other (Ethan) but am not sure Jackson would do well going without brother.

TIA for any input!
Mendy

 

I pulled my DD out of daycare soon after she turned 3 and was in the preschool program there. It is good for socialization, but there are no major differences between preschooled and non-preschooled children once they hit Kindergarten. I dont plan on sending my DD back to school until she goes into K.
All in all, I think it is up to you and what you would like to do

 

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to preschool. Mainly what fits you and your family best. Your kids will succeed and acclimate to grade school either way.

Since your boys have summer birthdays, they will be the younger 3's in their class. If you are planning on not starting Kindergarten until age 6, then I would definitely wait another year.

From my personal experience, our boys started 3year preschool (2 days/week)this past fall. Due to their Dec b-days, they were over 3.5 years old when they started. I feel that they have had so many benefits to attending. You surely can homeschool the "academics" of preschool. For us, it has been their social conduct, following commands, taking turns, sharing with others, manners, etc that have flourished. They also have learned alot as well (all letters, numbers, writing their name,etc).

I remember thinking last January that maybe our boys weren't ready for fall preschool. But they really matured alot between then and the fall. One of the biggies for us was potty training during that time (which was a mandate). They really enjoy going to school and seemed "restless" without it during Christmas break.

 

It is completely up to you whether you want to send your children to pre-school. However, if the only reason you're thinking about it is to be sure they are prepared for Kindergarten, then I say forget pre-school, save your money, and enjoy these years with your kids before they HAVE to go to school! I teach Kindergarten and having a child go to pre-school does not guarantee they will be more "ready" than a child who never went to any type of pre-school or day care.

Academically, I feel my children are getting their needs met by my DH and myself every day through all the things we do around the house. I don't have a structured time where I sit my DD down and do "school". We do things while playing in the tub, with play dough, drawing, cooking, driving, etc. Socially, we go out a lot, they go to church, play groups (they aren't in day care either), my DD is in a toddlers gymnastics class, and we play at the park when the weathers nice.

I understand why some parents may choose pre-school, especially if both parents work full time and it's pre-school vs. just day care, or even when a parent is a full time SAHM (or SAHD) and they want the few hours each week where they get a little break. But I really feel strongly that if the only reason you (or any other parent) are considering pre-school is because you want to give your child the best start, to help them be as successful as possible when they do become school age, that pre-school just isn't necessary for those things to happen.

 

Thanks for posting this! Mine are only 2, but I seriously doubt that I will send them to preschool (I won't say "never" since something may change to influence that decision between now and then). I know that, academically, I am more able to prepare them for K since they are already learning preschool level things without much prompting. As far as socially, I will try to find other social activities for them. And I know that they will get a feel for sitting in a classroom and listening to a teacher through Sunday school and other church classes.

In my mind, I'd rather put the money away for college! I also wish that they still offered half-day kindergarten around here. I think that, at that age, a whole day can be a bit much. I understand the convenience for working parents, but I wish they would offer the choice like they did when I was in school.

 

I don't think I will be sending mine. My kids get plenty of socialization and I'm constantly "teaching" them things. Honestly I want to spend time with them while I can! Selfish mommy

 

Mine did go to preschool at age 3. One thing I do want to point out is that one of my sons ended up having some behavioral problems that were due to an expressive speech delay. Had he NOT gone to preschool, it probably wouldn't have gotten picked up--and I am a special educator with a Masters in Elementary Ed. Preschool is NOT about academics--especially for 3 year olds. Preschool is about social skills, taking turns, and most importantly listening to an adult other than mommy. I did not send my kids to preschool because I wanted 2 hours of freedom, I sent them because they needed it. Also, I wanted them to get through separation issues before K, so they wouldn't be crying every day at the door during K. One more thought, if you have full day K, you may want to send them to preschool, simply to get used to being in a school setting. No school at all, then going to school for 6 hours a day will be a huge shock to their systems.

I know this is a personal decision, and many kids do fine without going to preschool, but I did want to clear up some misconceptions about the goals of preschool.

 

QUOTE
Preschool is about social skills, taking turns, and most importantly listening to an adult other than mommy. I did not send my kids to preschool because I wanted 2 hours of freedom, I sent them because they needed it.


We sent ours to preschool at age 2 (Nov b-day, so 2 years 9M when the started). They desperately needed preschool. We have no activities here for young kids. No story time, no museums to visit, only 1 safe playground in the city, no play groups. It was either preschool or have them bounce off the walls at home. They go 4 hours/day M-F now and LOVE it. Sure, they are learning their numbers and letters, but they are also learning to share, follow directions, etc. Ours both have expressive language delays and the first thing the developmental evaluator told us was to put them in preschool.

 

I'm not sending mine until they are 4, and thats even if I decide to send them...

 

QUOTE(sharongl @ Jan 11 2008, 08:14 PM) [snapback]568835[/snapback]
Preschool is about social skills, taking turns, and most importantly listening to an adult other than mommy. I did not send my kids to preschool because I wanted 2 hours of freedom, I sent them because they needed it. Also, I wanted them to get through separation issues before K, so they wouldn't be crying every day at the door during K.


This is why I mentioned being involved in other social activities and a classroom setting at church (our preschool age teacher is really good about maintaining a classroom atmosphere while still making it fun). Plus, they are already better at taking turns and listening to other adults than many preschoolers I know. Mine are already socially involved with other children and adults through church. If there was no socialization in their lives, I wouldn't "throw them to the lions" so to speak. I'd make sure to get them involved with other kids somewhere.

QUOTE(sharongl @ Jan 11 2008, 08:14 PM) [snapback]568835[/snapback]
One more thought, if you have full day K, you may want to send them to preschool, simply to get used to being in a school setting. No school at all, then going to school for 6 hours a day will be a huge shock to their systems.


I understand this concern. It is mine, too. But, I don't think that sending them to preschool for months (or years) in advance is the only answer to this. I think that setting and maintaining a "school" schedule at home in andvance is one way to help prepare them. Also, by helping them become excited about attending school and by becoming a "room mom" so that they see me in the classroom sometimes.

I've known many children who came to K just as prepared in all these aspects as those who attended preschool. Just as I've known both preschooled and unpreschooled children to be unprepared.

I think it really depends on your children and your family. Some kids need preschool for things like speech delays. Others can learn more (not just academics, but manners, social skills, etc.) from their parents. This is why I won't say I'll "never" send them. Just that, at this time, I can see know reason why I would.

 

QUOTE(threebecamefive @ Jan 11 2008, 03:56 PM) [snapback]568719[/snapback]
It is completely up to you whether you want to send your children to pre-school. However, if the only reason you're thinking about it is to be sure they are prepared for Kindergarten, then I say forget pre-school, save your money, and enjoy these years with your kids before they HAVE to go to school! I teach Kindergarten and having a child go to pre-school does not guarantee they will be more "ready" than a child who never went to any type of pre-school or day care.


I agree (I teach Kinder too, so I can attest to this firsthand). I will most likely be sending my kids because I think they would enjoy it and benefit from the social piece that preschool has to offer.

 

We did not send our girls to preschool. We are going to homeschool so getting their systems ready for when they get sent to Kindergarten was not an issue for us. As is the case with many homeschool families, the kids get lots of outside the house activities as it is and I think they should be with their parents since we are able to offer that opportunity to them.