? for parents re: preschool

[cinmell]

Did you/do you send your child to preschool or just wait for kindergarten? My daughter missed the Kindergarten age requirement by 2 months and I was thinking of sending her to the preschool program. I was just wondering what other parents have done with children not quite school age to keep them busy.

 

[Serena]

I put my oldest in preschool, just to have some friends to play with. It was just part time, and she had a real hard time at first, but it helped her a lot.

 

[Bob Slydell]

DS has been attending preschool since 2 -- granted, the first year or so was glorified (e.g. slightly more organized) daycare, but now he's getting into more school-like stuff, so it's more like a regular preschool.

He'll be in preschool (or pre-K) until he's about 6 -- with a Sept. birthday, we'll likely keep him back instead of sending him early.

 

[HollyJoy]

Definately send her to preschool. Preschool is a GREAT foundation for gradeschool. Kids that have had a year of preschool will do better in Kindergarten than those kids who have not.

 

[powellrj]

all three of my kids went to preschool and I think it was great. It helps them learn the "ropes" so that school isn't as hard for them. They learn about lines for the bathroom, sharing the teachers attention, being away from mom, sitting still, keeping their hands to themselves in addition to the 3Rs.

 

[rdrjj5]

My DD will be 5 in July and we sent her 3 days (2 1/2 hrs) this year and it was the best experience for her. It has taught her the structure of school, interacting with others and most importantly how to follow instructions. It is amazing what she has learned. My twins are turning 3 this month and they will go in september for 2 years of preschool. I'm sure you daughter would enjoy being with other kids and making some new friends who might go on to kindergarden with her.

 

[CamColt]

I sent DS #1(missed the cutoff by 3 1/2 months) to 2 years of preschool. The first was 2 days a week, 3 hour days and the second was 3 days/3 hours. It worked well and really got him prepared for Kindergarten. We are doing the same with DS #2, and he has currently finished his first year.
My reasoning for sending them was basically to learn how to act in school, to learn they have to listen to the teacher, follow a schedule etc. I also wanted them to learn to play nice with other kids in a school setting(they dont go to daycare and our neighborhood kids are animals, LOL!) and to learn the basics for Kindergarten.

 

[mickeyboat]

My DD's have been in a home-based "preschool" program for two years. Their provider is a former teacher and does activities every day. Next year I am sending them to a pre-K program run by our school district. It helps them figure out what it is like to be in school, how to stand in line, raise your hand, etc. I think they will be that much further ahead. Other kids in the program this year have loved it!

Denae

 

[Nancy]

My kids all went to pre school and I think it gives a definate advantage. Not as far as education goes but just the whole social aspect of schools. It is especially hard at that age to understand that a teacher doesn't always have time to put one child first so pre school gets them used to the idea of having to wait their turn.

 

[goofy4tink]

Absolutely!! Just be sure you find a preschool that suits your child. The preschool I chose for my ds, almost 25 years ago, was not the same that I chose for his sister, 3 years later. Different schools have different philosophies. But, the social interaction is terrific, no matter which school you choose.

 

[Disney Ella]

I sent my kids to preschool to help them adjust to the whole being in school, following rules experience. There were a few kids in their kindergarten class who had never been away from their mothers and had trouble adjusting. Some of them still have trouble and don't want to go to school (in 2nd grade). My kids would have definitely been like those kids without preschool. If you have a very outgoing, confident child, I could see him adjusting to kindergarten without preschool, but I think preschool has many benefits.

 

[oogieboogie]

DS was a very shy kid before preschool. While in preschool, he learned to listen to the teacher, write his name, learned to make friends, learned how to socialize, stand in line and waiting turns, learned about duties and responsibilities, and many more.

All this while still having loads of fun. They did story time, celebrated Mickey's birthday, had harvest, halloween, and christmas festivals.

By the time he entered kindergarten, he was able to go up to another kid and ask them to play with him. Before this would never happen.

I think preschool not only prepares them for kindergarten and school in general, but teaches them social skills. So I say, go send them to preschool.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I sent DS6 and DS4 to preschool starting with 2 year old-two days a week for 3 hours a day. They loved being with the other kids, making crafts, singing...They need to be around people other than mommy.. In the classes my kids were in, they taught them things, too.

It may seem like it's selfish to want some time away from your child, but just think, he/she needs a little time away from you, too. It also will ease them into the whole routine of going to school..

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

My oldest has just finished her 2nd year of all day, 5-day a week pre-K. She starts kindergarten in the fall, again a full day program. Youngest DD is in a "structured" daycare. Not quite pre-school, but structured more that standard daycare. I highly recommend pre-K. It lays a great foundation for kindergarten.

We are going to be moving during this school year, and I was looking at the schools in our new city. Kindergarten is a 1/2 day program out there. I don't know what I am going to do with DD1 when we get there.

 

[TINKTWINS]

My 4 year old twins are in preschool right now. They only go 2 times a week for 2.5 hours per day. They love it. My DD is very shy, so I wanted to try to bring her out of her shell a bit. She loves being with the other girls, plus her speech has improved. My DS isnt so shy, but he doesnt interact with other kids so great, he stricktly likes to play alone or with his sis, so I wanted him to experience the other kids. That has been slow going for him but better, HOWEVER, they are both learning things so fast, he is writing letters and words like crazy. I would say he is more than ready for Kindergarten however they have Jan. Bdays and have to wait another year. But thats ok im not sure im ready to let them go away full time I had a hard enough time with the 2 days. Pre school I think is a good thing for them, 4 out of my 5 went and all did great. Try it you can always take her out.

 

[southernclass]

My ex has them now and he intends to send them to a private pre-school which we are helping pay for. If my FH and I have children they will be home schooled.

 

[binny]

we sent all of our kids to preschool for the year before Kindergarten and Imm so glad we did!
I felt it gave them a good start to the routine of school and helped to prepare them more.

Good luck!

 

[liznboys]

We send our kids to two years of preschool before Kindergarten! I don't think it's NECESSARY, but it can only help IMO. My son had his first year of preschool this year and boy did he LOVE IT!!!! And he learned soooooo much, it's great!! He can't wait for next year to begin!

 

[frustrated]

They have the rest of their lives to learn "independence" and playing "nice" with others. I think kids are pushed out into the world to young. JMO.

 

[dizagain]

Oh yes, do send your kids to a pre-school program! I am a former Pre-K/present K teacher and a mom of two Pre-K grads. Mine went to 2-day class at 2.5, 3-day class at 3 and 4. One of mine actually went to 5-day Pre-K, but it wasn't offered for my second child in our new location. I personally like the 5-day programs for Pre-K, but 3-day helps a great deal. The emphasis on academics (reading in particular) in K is becoming much stronger these days - that's just the way it is. If a child has never been in a school environment before, it puts him at a dis-advantage from the start because he has no experience under his belt.

While not all children are ready for a pre-school experience at 2 or 3, I think everyone should attend some type of Mother's Day Out or Pre-K at 4. Good Luck!!