Preschool questions...

[KarlaB]

Okay, youngest ds is supposed to start preschool tomorrow and all of a sudden I am feeling wishy washy. Help! :\

Did your dks go to preschool? 1 or 2 yrs? How old were they when they started? How many days a week?

Ds would go 2 days a week. Looking at him he just seems so young ~ he's 3 yrs and almost 4 months. Oldest ds started when he was younger and I look at the struggles he had with it and wonder if he wouldn't have been better off going one year instead of two. It's not like they are really learning anything there - it's more socialization with other kids and separation from mommy. Dh thinks I should try it and see how it goes. I feel like I could instead do a class with him where we separate for part of it and it isn't as long. ?( Oldest ds would probably be disgruntled because he has to go to school. A benefit for me would be that two days a week both dks would be in class at the same time and I'd have free time, but even that hasn't convinced me to send him. :rolleyes: LOL! So, anyone have any input on this?

[AnnW]

DS started going one day a week to mother's day out/preschool at 1..we added a day for each year till he started PreK at 5 (that was our pediatricians' advice) DD started going at 2, but with one day week, then at 3..2 days..4..3 days..she had a harder transition to 5 day a week PreK than ds did.

[JAK]

Both of my dks only went to one year of preschool, when they were 4. They went to the elementary school and it was 5 days a week, 2 1/2 hours at a time. Both did great. Ds was a little nervous at first, but he knew the teacher becasue she was also dd's teacher. He's also shy (at school any way). He's now in first grade and still won't talk in class!

[RCT]

ds never went to Pre-K or anything...striaght to Kindergarden at 5....dd went to pre-k five days a week for 4 hours, she was 4 and so ready to go....she loved it....I think it depends on the child...ds did fine in Kindergarden...was a little behind in his writing...but caught up no problem....dd has been in Kindergarden now for a month and has no big problems either....

Follow your heart...it isn't mandatory....it can be good for mommy and son....you'll make the right choice....

[AnnW]

Are you thinking that first ds' problems stemmed from going two years to preschool? Is that your hestitation? Hasn't he always had problems with separation, transistion, ect? So, how many years he went to preschool isn't relavent to your youngest.
Does your youngest want to go? Is he hesitant at all? If he does, why not let him? Don't under estimate socialization..that's hugely important!

[littlesista06]

Dd started when she was 2 1/2 - went 2 days then, like Ann, she went the number of days that corresponded to how many years old she was. When she got to her 3rd year, (4 yrs old) she had an extended day where they brought lunch, etc. That really prepared her for K last year - not a bit of trouble transitioning (a little tired until she got used to the schedule).
Good luck with your little guy!

[Amy]

Dd was prepared for school and went 2 days a week in 3yr old and 5 days a week in 4 yr old.

I didn't think ds was prepared to go to pre-school last year. I had no plans to put him in until mid-year (if i thought he matured enough). The school district decided for me to have him come to a district run pre-school so he could have the socialization and speech therapy under one roof. I wasn't sure he could handle it-especially since it was 4 days a week. He had his off and on times when he wouldn't want to go, but all and all it was a great decision to put him in. The socializing with other kids was the most priceless gift. This year, he ADORES school and wants to go all day, if he could. I don't think he would have felt that way if I held him for an extra year.

I think you will be surprised if you let him go. You can always yank him out if there are problems. :)

[Karen]

The day before my 3yo dd started this year, I was wondering if I'd made a big mistake. But in my heart, I knew she was ready and would love it. I know it was mostly me reacting to her starting school and growing up too quickly! She is loving it. But I have heard stories of kids diong well in pre-K, then regressing in Kindergarten (with respect to separation). Go with your gut instinct, you can always pull him out if it's not going well.

Good luck with your decision. Let us know what happens!

[KarlaB]

Thanks gals! :)

I have decided to take him today and try it. I don't know why I am feeling so apprehensive about it. We went to the Open House last week and it just seemed like total chaos. Plus, we were told he was having one teacher and then that night there was a different gal there saying she is the teacher. ?( I also think I have some negative feelings about it because oldest ds had such a horrible experience there - especially his first year with his teacher that was beyond pathetic. :rolleyes:

[AnnW]

If you don't like the school, why are you going there?

[Cathy]

We moved when my oldest was 2 1/2, and there were no kids around. She was used to lots of people and we didn't know anyone, so I put her in a preschool 2 mornings a week. She went for 3 years. She liked it, and it worked. Dds 2 and 3 went for one year before kindergarten. I think the socialization was an important thing for them, as well as learning to accept limits and guidance from someone other than me.

[KarlaB]

Originally posted by Cathy
I think the socialization was an important thing for them, as well as learning to accept limits and guidance from someone other than me.

ITA - If I didn't have him in preschool I would do a parent/kid class with him where we separate for part of it.

I did take him today and he screamed (literally) when I left, but settled down for them within a few minutes and when I picked him up he said it was fun. :thumb: The 2 assistants in there are gals oldest ds had and adored. :)

[Mickey]

Wondering the same thing Ann asked...why you're taking him to a school you aren't happy with (and don't make the mistake of thinking you're just being too picky).

My opinion on this is that it totally depends on the child and I highly recommend that you listen to your gut instinct regarding it. The only times I've regretted a decision was when I went against my gut feeling about it, thinking I was being "silly" or whatever. Go with your gut.

[KarlaB]

We have had a lot of positive experiences there and not all of the teachers are bad. The one ds had for his first year of preschool was let go after that year. I was looking forward to ds having the teacher they said was going to be in the room and was surprised to get there for the open house and see someone else. I shouldn't have let that make me so wishy washy about it without giving her a chance. I think I just wanted the comfort of knowing the teacher because I was scared of a repeat experience that I had with oldest ds his first year. It was such a struggle and I did not want to go thru that again.

I felt much better when we got there yesterday and saw that the 2 asst's were gals oldest ds had and loved. I got to looking at ds and thinking he seems so young and started questioning whether 2 yrs of preschool was necessary. I do think it will be a great experience for him. Of the 2 boys I think he is the one that ventures out more and he'll probably love it once we get in the swing of things. Maybe I just wanted to keep him my "baby" a little longer and tried to find reasons/excuses to just do one year. :tinysmile

Anyway, thanks everyone for your input and helping me "see the light". ;)