OT -- Preschool morning or afternoon session?

[AnnetteF]

DD is 3 and will be starting preschool two days a week in September. I received a form today asking me which session we would prefer. I'm thinking afternoon because she has never been a very early riser and we have a pretty good morning routine but it is always in the afternoon that she seems to get bored. I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on morning vs. afternoon based on previous experience. Maybe there's something I haven't considered.

 

[nyyankeegirl]

I've always done morning preschool (but that's all that is offered at my school) But it works well, you can drop the kids off, get your errands done, then pick them up & go for lunch or park or home. She'll probably be tired & will take an afternoon nap. Before you know it, it will be time to cook dinner! But obviously do whatever is gonna work best for you!

 

[DisneyAllison]

I am a teacher. I also have a 3 year old. From my experience as a mom and a teacher, most young children do better in the morning. With my 3 year old, she takes a nap in the afternoon; and inm addition, the afternoon is usually her fussiest time of the day. I teach 3rd grade, and my kids do their best work in the morning. Because of this I go against the "norm", and teach my math in the morning along with the reading. They perform for me so much better when I do math in the morning. There's something about going to lunch that RUINS any concentration the kids might have had before lunch... Go figure?!?!?!?


Anyway, hopr this helps!

 

[Mickey & Minnie Mom]

I don't know what the situation is where you live, but for me, I liked having morning preschool as I knew my kids would attend morning kindergarten. Our district splits the kindergarten kids into half-day sessions. Since I knew we'd be AM, I thought it was a good idea to get them on that schedule of being up & out the door versus switching from one time to another come time for real school.

I agree about the running errands & such. My daughter is not an early riser by choice, but has no problems getting up for school which she loves.

Good luck making your decision.

 

[Hannathy]

I had an afternoon DD! She never was a morning child, of course either am I!
I loved our relaxed mornings, she would get up and eat and watch TV all in her PJ's and then play and get dressed have lunch and go to school. We did afternoon kindergarten to. She never napped so that was no problem and since she slept in it didn't matter. I was able to run errands in the afternoon as well as I could in the morning. Not all kids do their best work in the mornings. You know your child and if you like your mornings why not enjoy them for a bit longer they are only little for such a short time.

 

[kacaju]

I have 3 children. 13, 11 and 7. I have done both and honestly do whatever you think is best for you and your dd.
Do you have other children? Afternoon pre school is fine if there is not another child that will be taking afternoon naps. If she is a late sleeper then let her have another year or two of sleeping in late before she HAS to get up early for school.
I preferred mornings because I am an early bird and I like to go to the store (grocery, Target Walmart) first thing in the morning.
Around here the Malls don't open until 10am so if you are a Mall shopper then afternoons may be better for you.
Does she stillnap? If so then mornings would be better. My middle one was always a napper. I got a call when I signed her up for K asking if I'd put her in afternoon K. She had just turned 5 and she still napped, so I said no. My other two never napped after age 2 and they both did fine in both sessions.

 

[robinb]

My DD did afternoon pre-school when she was 3 and 4 ... but she would often zonk out when she got home and I would have to wake her for dinner, bath and bed. It worked out OK for us as we were both able to "sleep in" the morning and she was less cranky for me in the morning.

 

[laceemouse]

When we had the option we always picked afternoon. We have always been a family of night owls (well, the kids and I anyway.) My kids prefer to sleep later and take it slow in the morning, and they gave up naps very early. Now we homeschool and we still do most of our work after lunch.
BTW, you can maybe go to the grocery store or 24 hour places in the early am, but things like the mall and many businesses don't even open until 10 and by that time you have very little time to shop before having to pick up at pre-school. In the afternoon everything is sure to be open. Just my experience.

 

[alloyd1170]

My son's preschool only had morning sessions. I would stick with mornings for several reasons. One, it gets them used to a routine of getting up, eating breakfast and heading off to school-very important for K prep. Secondly, kids learn better in the morning, and are more alert. Thirdly, I get my errands and dr apts done with in the morning to avoid the traffic, crowds, and delays that happen as the day wears on. Once school is over, I pick up my son, run some errands if need be, go to lunch with friends, head to the playground, etc, or let him take a nap. Its so nice to have the afternoons free of any long term scheduled event, especially if waiting on a repairman. They give me a time frame of when theyre coming, and I dont have to worry about running off while theyre still working to pick up my son at school.

alison

 

[jamesmommy]

We are night owls at our house too, but I scheduled my DS4 for morning preK next school year. Most Drs. appointments I have are early, and I prefer the mornings to do grocery shopping, fruit stands, etc., as the merchandise seems "fresher".

Of course, my #1 reason for morning preschool (my DH just rolled his eyes when I told him).........................................


DS and I usually go to WDW several times a month in off season, I figured this way I could pick him up at 11:30, and we could go straight to the House of Mouse.

Amie

 

[zoemurr]

but LOVED afternoon K for many reasons.

We're not morning people either. Spent am relaxing sometimes.

I could do a lot more errands in the afternoon as many stores don't open until 10

We could still do a lot of programs (library storytime for example) that were only offered in the am. We were in a local MOMS club, and all trips were in the morning too.

The class will probably also be smaller, so your child will receive more attention.

Now my kids are in 3rd and am K. I miss the lazy mornings... and next year I won't have anyone to play with all day.

 

[dogluva]

All six of my kids did preschool. My four year old is in preschool right now. I had to say that a three year old does do better in the a.m. Mine all napped at three so I needed mornings for them. HOwever, when they turned four they usually did not nap anymore (except for one who had a late birthday). So I liked afternnoons. I work a few days a week and it was nice not having to rush out of the house in the mornings a few days a week. ALso, I could take them to the gym when they have all the kids classes and then bring them home, feed the lunch and then get rid of them again (just kidding). They just needed something to do in the afternnon by that age. It also prepares them for a full day in K.

 

[kinntj]

We chose morning for first year of Preschool when she was still napping in the afternoon and PM for her 2nd year of preschool (when she was weaned off of naps). Worked out well, because she'll go to K in the afternoon next year and will be use to that schedule.

In the fall I will have a kid going to preschool in the morning and one going to K in the afternoon. I purposely set this up, so I can have my one on one time with both of them when their sibling isn't around. I hope it'll be a nice year for all of us.

I don't run errands, because I'm in school so I'll be studying during some of this time.