What age should a toddler start preschool?

[sha_lyn]

I don't know anyone who doesn't send their kids to preschool for at least one year of kindergarten. Kindergarten USED to be like preschool, now it's like 1st or 2nd grade. So basically, you're sending in your child well behind the curve if you choose to do that.

Do you really believe that a parent can't cover preschool material at home? I don't even want to know what you think about home schooling then.

 

[Mono~rail]

I have already apologized and can do nothing more. I find it very hard to get a tone of how something comes off when typing. I was typing with just a different way of looking at things. I appreciate those responses when I am viewing a subject as I know my thoughts differ. AGAIN, I was trying to give a different opinion. Lesson learned... again sorry. And sorry that this has hijacked an interesting conversation and not needed so in any way shape or form!

You were stating your opinion. An individual's opinion isn't right or wrong so I personally don't think you said anything to upset everyone so much.

 

[PrincessHeart]

Kindergarten is not what it used to be. My DD5 is in Kindergarten and they have spelling tests (only three words). This is a public school, not a private school. One thing that has not been mentioned is that full day Kindergarten is a long day. Even though my DS (who is in 1st now) and DD went to a 5 full day montessori the year before going to kindergarten they were both exhausted after coming home from K. There is just alot of work in K and that can be very demanding on children, especially if they have no prior experience in a school setting. I am a sahm and I felt no guilt sending off my little ones to pre-k. I knew it would benefit them greatly.

 

[sha_lyn]

I had planned on sending my DD to PS, and here it is full day 5 days a week. that's why I sent DD to preK. To get her ready for the routine.
However I don't think a child who skips preK will be academically behind.
I see benifits and negatives to both preK and holding off until K. What it really boils down to is what works for each family.

Even if I knew we would home school DD, I probably would have sent her to the preK that she attended. More for me than for her.

 

[Mono~rail]

I don't know anyone who doesn't send their kids to preschool for at least one year of kindergarten. Kindergarten USED to be like preschool, now it's like 1st or 2nd grade. So basically, you're sending in your child well behind the curve if you choose to do that.

Do you really believe that a parent can't cover preschool material at home? I don't even want to know what you think about home schooling then.

This goes back to what I mentioned about the "pressure" that is put on parents to send their kids to preschool. Jodifla is only echoing the masses.

I have no doubt that my girls will be just as prepared (if not more so) as the kids that were given the "advantage" of preschool. I believe the same is true for Sha_lyn's kids. It seems though as if the perception is that kids who aren't enrolled in preschool are just left to stagnate in some dark corner.

I'll say this that I didn't say before - I think preschool is a clever marketing scheme designed to fleece well-intentioned parents. It preys on the fears of "my kids won't be good enough" or "my kid won't be smart enough" or "my kid will be at a disadvantage" and I could go on and on all night. I almost forgot to mention how much preschool helps the "gifted" children (what child isn't gifted these days). The majority of preschools are in daycare settings. Around here they are called "Mother's Day Out" programs.

 

[kribit]

Originally Posted by jodifla
I don't know anyone who doesn't send their kids to preschool for at least one year of kindergarten. Kindergarten USED to be like preschool, now it's like 1st or 2nd grade. So basically, you're sending in your child well behind the curve if you choose to do that.


Do you really believe that a parent can't cover preschool material at home? I don't even want to know what you think about home schooling then.

This struck me as odd too. Where I live, Kindegarten isn't state mandated, so I'm not sure how material taught in K would be equivalent to 1st or 2nd grade? Also, the K program is only 3 hours per day in a topnotch school system here...that isn't a typical school day. I'm not trying to start an argument, I just think if pre-school covered 1st and 2nd grade material it would be required by law.

Perhaps the child in pre-school has the opportunity to learn a little more and socialize, but I think the educational material can be covered at home.

 

[mlraabe]

I probably should not post anything since I am the three year old teacher in our public school districts preschool program and a very strong supporter of the PreK counts initiative. And it seems as if this thread as changed from what age to should you or shouldn't you. I think 3 is a great age. My kids only come one day a week and then I do homevisits each week to their houses and give parents info on what they can be working on at home. So, I do think parents are the best first teachers. My 3s will then attend our K4 program next year - 4 1/2 days/week.

I will agree with some pp that said sometimes it is more not sending kids because of mom and not the child. Also, in our district - both the private and public schools- we service (through the district programs and the community preschools) 95% of pre K kids. That means that in our Kindergarten classes less than 10 kids start without preschool. I, personally, would not want my child to be the one without the advantage of a pre K program. The few kids who did not attend Pre K are very easy to spot - even the ones who have been worked with at home and are very bright. There is a huge difference. I wouldn't want my child to be the one trying to make up that difference. So, I do feel that in this time in education some type of Pre K program is important.

Edited: Our district has been recognized nationally as one of the best Early Childhood Programs (Early Childhood is considered PreK - 3rd grade). Our Kindergartens are full day and by the end of Kindergarten most of our students are reading at what used to be considered a mid first grade level. And, although they are academic, it is in a very playful and developmentally appropriate environment - lots of free time to explore centers and free play, songs, stories, etc. Kids are not sitting at desks or tables and doing paper pencil activities by any means. But they are learning alot more - things I used to teach as a Reading Specialist in 1st and beginning 2nd grade.

 

[kribit]

I'll say this that I didn't say before - I think preschool is a clever marketing scheme designed to fleece well-intentioned parents. It preys on the fears of "my kids won't be good enough" or "my kid won't be smart enough" or "my kid will be at a disadvantage" and I could go on and on all night. I almost forgot to mention how much preschool helps the "gifted" children (what child isn't gifted these days). The majority of preschools are in daycare settings. Around here they are called "Mother's Day Out" programs

I so agree with you here. In my younger days through college, I worked as a pre-school teacher (in a childcare center that was NAEYC accredited) and it was a wonderful school with wonderful teachers.

Flash forward several years...Last year DH and I thought we might interview a few pre-schools for our twins and were unpleasantly surprised at how little "education" it appeared they would receive. The had lots of sand tables, lego tables, doll corners, arts and crafts table, etc..., but there was no sign of the educational experience we were looking for. We weren't going to invest that kind money for our kids to "learn through play." They can do that with their friends or at home. So, we didn't feel it was worth it. The only place we found to be in line with our kids personalities and needs was a private school that was upwards of $12,000 per year, per child, which we thought was ludicrous for a 4 year old.

So, I put together a lesson plan for them and have "school" at home (for 1-2hours per day), and they already know everything (and then some) a child is required to know for graduation to 1st grade. I know in my heart that they couldn't get that undivided attention in a pre-school with 20 other children with 1 teacher.

Now, I am not against pre-school (obviously, I used to teach). I do, however, think it depends on the child and their needs, not what society dictates.

 

[PrincessHeart]

Do you really believe that a parent can't cover preschool material at home? I don't even want to know what you think about home schooling then.

I think a parent can cover preschool through high school material at home ( I konw 3 young people who are in college now that were homeschooled through HS). So if you are planning on homeschooling you would not need to send your child to pre-k. However, public school settings are different from homeschools. So do you really want your child first school expereince to be a full five days of k? There is something to be said for giving your child a slow intro to school and not sending them headlong into K without any structured pre-k expereince. Knowledge is not the same as expereince. You child can be a genius, but struggle with experiences of structured school.

 

[Mono~rail]

I probably should not post anything since I am the three year old teacher in our public school districts preschool program and a very strong supporter of the PreK counts initiative. And it seems as if this thread as changed from what age to should you or shouldn't you.

That's because not everyone feels small children need to go to preschool.

I will agree with some pp that said sometimes it is more not sending kids because of mom and not the child.

On that same note, some kids get sent to preschool because of mom and not the kids.

There are but such a few short precious years before kids go off to Kindergarten and then they have the rest of their life to go to school and work. Let kids be kids and not be pressured to "perform" constantly at earlier and earlier ages.

There was a time when kindergarten was not mandatory - much like Pre-K is today. Above the mandatory Pre-K initiative is in motion. After that then what? Mandatory pre-3?

Most likely my grandkids will be going to mandatory pre-2. When does it stop? When are kids going to be able to just be kids again?

My MIL told me about when my dh went to kindergarten how the teacher said he was "behind" because he didn't go to preschool - this was in the early 70's. My MIL asked the teacher what he was behind in. She took the answers home and sat down with her son (my dh), and he went to school the next morning on par with the rest of the kids.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

This goes back to what I mentioned about the "pressure" that is put on parents to send their kids to preschool. Jodifla is only echoing the masses.

I have no doubt that my girls will be just as prepared (if not more so) as the kids that were given the "advantage" of preschool. I believe the same is true for Sha_lyn's kids. It seems though as if the perception is that kids who aren't enrolled in preschool are just left to stagnate in some dark corner.

I'll say this that I didn't say before - I think preschool is a clever marketing scheme designed to fleece well-intentioned parents. It preys on the fears of "my kids won't be good enough" or "my kid won't be smart enough" or "my kid will be at a disadvantage" and I could go on and on all night. I almost forgot to mention how much preschool helps the "gifted" children (what child isn't gifted these days). The majority of preschools are in daycare settings. Around here they are called "Mother's Day Out" programs.

I understand where you are coming from but I disagree. Every child is different and has different needs, but I don't believe that parents are sending their kids off just because they need a Mom's day out or they are afraid their child will be some sort of misfit. My children do not go to a daycare setting and I personally would rather they stay home -BUT- I know that they crave the whole school experience. My DS does not like to miss school at all and gets upset if he has to stay home because he is sick. My DD is not old enough for pre-school but we go to a partial separation class (where I watch from a window for half the class) and if it were up to her she would go every day. That class is also taught by a certified teacher. I do think there are pre-schools that are in daycare settings but it depends what you are looking for. I do think you can cover all the academics at home that are covered in school, and you can have completely social children (my kids have no problem in that area at all! )but I still think that if you are planning to send your kids to public or private school it helps ease the transition. Where I live it is full day kindergarten. I personally think that is too much for a 5 year old but that is the way it is. Right now my DS goes 4 mornings a week and I can't stand the thought of him being away all day next year. Heck I hate that he's gone 4 mornings a week! I love being with my kids! I couldn't imagine never sending him into a school setting and then throwing him into kindergarten full day 5 days a week. I think that would be cruel and a recipe for disaster. There are some kids who can handle it and I am sure my son would do great- but I would rather make things easier for him even if it's harder for me. Someone mentioned Homeschooling- I don't think that's even an issue here. Sure you can HS and your child will be fine, -BUT- I think that the issue here is what age to start a child in school that is planning to utilize a public or private school system. Anyway- this is JMHO.

 

[Aristomommy]

I have read this thread with interest as I have a DS2 and DD8 who went through the pre-K program some years ago. I grew up in Europe and 1st grade started at age 7 and some children have no schooling before then. Others went to a Kindergarten a year before and before then it's "just daycare". Getting used to the system in US was eye opening as DD went to pre-K at age 3. It wasn't just playtime or expensive babysitting. I helped out once a month and saw first hand how their little minds were working the entire time and how purposeful the activities were. As a SAHM at the time, I took DD to the zoo, to concerts and art classes and I am sure that those activities along with reading to her etc. developed her brain. As an only child, I could not however teach her functioning in a group, taking turns and structure activities the way she was exposed to in pre-K.

Her Kindergarten was full day. The first few weeks most of the children were tired coming home and DD took a nap almost every day. Her Kindergarten program gave preference to those children who completed a pre-K program (theirs or another), but there were children who had no pre-K experience. Some of them did have a harder time separating from parents, but within a couple of weeks it would have been impossible to tell which children had been in pre-K. So in my mind, pre-K isn't absolutely necessary to a succesful Kindergarten year. But I also know my DS is less outgoing and may need the practice before his Kindergarten year. So we'll see.

 

[Mono~rail]

Before I go to bed tonight, I have to say. . . I don't condemn anyone for the choices that they are making for their kids or have made in regards to preschool. I am only pointing out that it isn't something that kids must do - that not enrolling in preschool is just as much an option as enrolling.

Parenting is a tough job and we all need to stick together and support each other by sharing ideas and viewpoints.

I can sleep well now having said that.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My DS who is now in 2nd grade started pre-school at 4 years old.

DD who had some speech issues was in a mommy and me type pre-school class last year for 2 year olds. I put her in it because the speech therapist suggested it . I paid $45.00 /month for 2 hours a week of basically playing . She didn't really interact alot with the other 2 yo's as neither did the other kids. I pulled her after a couple months. She goes to dance and gymnastic classes and still has speech therapy 3x week. She will go to 3 yo pre-school in September. She missed the cut-off by 3 weeks so she'll be almost 4 when she starts. She is ready, she plays school and waits for the imaginary bus and takes her backpack and papers like her big brother.

She knows her colors, how to count and some of her letters. But she really wants to go. She's ready. Yea, I could teach her the same stuff at home but there's no harm in some kid socialization, plus it does give me 2 1/2 hours of alone time 2 days /week.