Preschool or No Preschool?

[belle&beast]

I used to post how anti-preschool I was, but now I'm considering putting my twins in a preschool program after they turn three next year. The main reason is one of DD's has oral aversion, and she is totally tube dependent for her nutrition. I'm looking for a preschool that I can take them to for 2 afternoons or mornings per week and that has a snack or meal time. I think it would do my DD a world of good to be in a meal time group setting with other children her age. Will it work? I'm not sure. Will it hurt her? I don't think so. Is it worth a try? Yes!

I don't want them separated from each other though. My twins are very attached to each other, and the only time they are apart is when one is at therapy. If I hear the first word about separating them, I will find another preschool.

I am a speech therapist and work in preschool with lots of kids with oral motor and feeding issues. We often use snack time as therapy time for these kiddos and it works really well because they are doing what their peers are doing and sometimes don't even notice that they are trying something new.

As far as separating, at the preschool level I don't think anyone would even want to separate them in my experience. It also seems that the philosophy is to keep them together as they get older as long as the children are happy being together.

 

[Mono~rail]

I am a speech therapist and work in preschool with lots of kids with oral motor and feeding issues. We often use snack time as therapy time for these kiddos and it works really well because they are doing what their peers are doing and sometimes don't even notice that they are trying something new.

As far as separating, at the preschool level I don't think anyone would even want to separate them in my experience. It also seems that the philosophy is to keep them together as they get older as long as the children are happy being together.

Wow! Awesome! Thanks for the reply. I liked reading everything you wrote!

It was actually DD's speech therapist who suggested a preschool meal time.

 

[i3utterfli82]

My DD just turned 3 in June. She had her first week of preschool starting last Monday. Everyday she came home excited about her day and would get up every morning to go. No tears. I am so happy I put her in, she was previously staying home all day with me, and though I liked it, she was not getting interaction with other children on a regular basis. I think 3 in the perfect age to get started and I am so happy I made the decision.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I think it would do my DD a world of good to be in a meal time group setting with other children her age. Will it work? I'm not sure. Will it hurt her? I don't think so. Is it worth a try? Yes!

It will absolutely help! My son started daycare at 11 months and also had oral sensory issues (though not nearly as severe as your DD sounds) and I was SHOCKED at the things he would try at daycare but not at home - especially when he got to be a bit older.

At the youngest ages, most are just care centers, although I noticed that at both centers we patronized, they "teach" the little ones through play, feel, texture, etc. As they grow, the centers have a curriculum they follow as well, including teaching kids colors, numbers, letters, working on gross and fine motor skills (like cutting with scissors, copying letters and numbers with a pencil, coloring, etc.). Both on my boys were in a preschool environment in their daycare the year before kindergarten.

This sounds exactly like the "curriculum" where my son goes. His teacher just sent home a few samples of things they had done at the beginning of the (tracing letters, drawing a self portrait) then repeated in June and the difference was amazing - absolutely worth it to me! And he was only there 2 days/week. Staring in Sept will be there 5 days (3 mornings + 2 full days) - good way to get used to the schedule before kindergarten.

What I don't get (and I know I will probably get flamed for this one) is the need for name-brand pre-school...specifically Montessori. Is there really such a different "methodology" for teaching 3 year olds how to cut with safety scissors that it would be worth triple the price?

 

[Tikicampers]

What I don't get (and I know I will probably get flamed for this one) is the need for name-brand pre-school...specifically Montessori. Is there really such a different "methodology" for teaching 3 year olds how to cut with safety scissors that it would be worth triple the price?

There is really no need for a name-brand school, unless you are really in love with the particular center, and the way they do things. Montessori schools differ greatly as they are run by different people. If you visit one and love it, then send your child there, but you shouldn't feel that a less expensive preschool is not going to give your child the same benefits.
Montessori in particular seems to be one of those things you're either really into, or really not into. In college, I visited several preschools for one of my classes, and I fully expected to love the Montessori school, but I just didn't get into it. I think it's fine to send a kid to one, if the parent likes it, but if you don't go that route, don't feel that your child is getting less.

 

[Piper]

I must comment again on a few posts about "preschool" vs "daycare" as if daycare is not a learning environment.

I am a FT WOTH mom and both of my boys have been in daycare centers (the oldest since 4 months, the younger since 5 months). At the youngest ages, most are just care centers, although I noticed that at both centers we patronized, they "teach" the little ones through play, feel, texture, etc. As they grow, the centers have a curriculum they follow as well, including teaching kids colors, numbers, letters, working on gross and fine motor skills (like cutting with scissors, copying letters and numbers with a pencil, coloring, etc.). Both on my boys were in a preschool environment in their daycare the year before kindergarten.



My point, since I digressed, is that a well researched daycare center can be as good of a learning environment as a traditional preschool program.

The last statement is the key. I teach Pre-K in a public school. Over the years, I have had many students who went (or still go) to daycare. Some are really good--the kids are taught academic basics and self-discipline. Their students have little or no problem adjusting to the structured environment of class. Some daycares are terrible--the kids are used to doing what they want, bully others, and have a lot of problems adjusting to school. Some of the drivers smoke in the vans, yell at the kids, the vans are filthy (we put the kids in the vans,) they don't make sure the kids use seatbelts--I could go on and on.

And it is the same year after year--the "good" centers consistently have well-adjusted kids. The "bad" ones have a large number of "high maintenance" kids. And when you try to conference with the parents their stock answer is, "Well, s/he does fine in daycare!" Uh, yeah.

 

[kmooreteach]

As a 2nd grade teacher, I feel preschool is very important. Children learn so much through what looks like 'play'. The curriculum at a preschool should be designed for age-appropriate play and learning. Some will be more structured than others.

Check the local university. My daughter finished a fabulous year at the Child Development Center at the university. It was very play oriented. I thought she would need more structure. She absolutely flourished, had a wonderful time and learned so much. THis was 4 days/week for 2 1/2 hrs. Price doesn't mean better. I paid $325 for the entire semester. Early Childhood Majors are required to complete hours there--free labor and experience for them.

My concern about a daycare, it that there would not be any curriculum or 'play to learn' activities. Check it out. Ask to observe (if you can't, I'd stay away!!!) See how the children react (happy or not) and how teachers interact w/ kids.

My advice is to watch out for 'kiddie kennels' that have inexperienced workers who are there for an 'easy' job, instead of truly loving to work w/ kids.
That's my 2 cents!!!

 

[Tikicampers]

My concern about a daycare, it that there would not be any curriculum or 'play to learn' activities. Check it out. Ask to observe (if you can't, I'd stay away!!!) See how the children react (happy or not) and how teachers interact w/ kids.

If you can find a good daycare, there will be a curriculum and many play based learning activities. Where DS goes, they have both a preschool and a daycare, and they are run by the same people. They actually have different staff at the daycare in the morning, so that it is more like regular preschool.