Yes or No to sending your children to preschool?

[andyandlexismom]

Have you sent or are you planning on sending your child(ren) to preschool? Why or why not?

I chose to home preschool both of my kids. I'm very happy with my decision to do so.

I believe that it's a personal, individual choice for no one but the parents of the particular child, to make.

Boy, did I have a lot of mothers tell me how wrong I was when we moved to NC and they found out that I wasn't sending my dd to preschool! I actually had women tell me that I was depriving her and that my decision could possibly scar her for life because she wouldn't be as smart as the others who went to preschool!

I don't think so! I did a lot of research before I home preschooled my son so I already had a good idea of what she needed to learn. I also contacted her school to ask what she would be learning in kindergarten, if they had a goal that they were looking for her to reach before starting and if she would be tested before the first day of school--they didn't have a goal and she wasn't tested beforehand but she was very prepared! I'm happy to say that she is among the top of her class right now!

Like I said, I think that it is a personal decision. Whatever works for you is best.

[Crafty Amanda]

I agree Tami, it's a personal choice, you do what works for your family

I sent all four of mine to preschool. They loved it. It was great fun and introduced them to the school environment. One great thing about preschool is that they meet friends for the first time and they get more socialized. Not one of my kids were nervous about the first day of Kindergarten because they already knew several of their friends were going to be there too.

I think if someone chooses to home-preschool like you did, it's wonderful The only recommendation I would make (from observing children that started Kindergarten with all my kids) is to make sure that they get their kids out once or twice a week to a park, McDonald's playland, community center with kid's activities, library reading time, or find neighbors with kids to form playgroups. Anything like that works wonders for socializing and I think that's the only aspect missing from home-preschool, and ONLY IF the parent doesn't introduce it.

My kids all loved preschool, and I adored the preschool graduations, so cute!

There's definitely pluses to both options

[Diane]

my granddaughter goes to preschool two day's a week... but my dd also teaches her preschool at home. Next year she will be homeschooled.

[Sammi1961]

I also think it is a personal. I am a daycare provider and do many pre-school activities with my daycare children (we play games, learn our letters, numbers and colors and learn skills like putting on our own coat and zipping it, tying shoes etc.) I chose to send my children to preschool because they had always been home with me and my daycare children and I wanted them to get used to having a bit of time away from me before they had to start school full time. They loved pre school and had a wonderful time and I do think it helped with the transition to 5-day a week kindergarten. If I had been a mom who worked outside the home, I think my decision would have depended on what activities my daycare provider did with my children while they were in her care.

[juxie]

All three of my kids have gone to preschool. My son because he had to since I was working, when I quit - he didn't want to cut down his hours - he loved his teachers - so I left him in full time. It was nice as it gave me time with my new baby. I started my middle one at 3 just a couple of days a week and then full time for pre-K. Again she loved it. The school is local and many kids they went to preschool with are at their elementary school now and they are still friends. My youngest just started preschool this year. It gives me a break to help at the big kids school, go shopping and take a breather. She and I still have two days a week for just mommy & me time in which we go to a ballet class and just play. I also pick her up at lunch everyday and then we usually hang out at the park until the big kids get out of school.

I think if you have a good preschool it is great, especially for social skills and to work on the seperation anxiety (we had a lot the first couple of months). Academically - I wasn't concerned as we do so much reading and arts and crafts at home - although it is nice she gets that at school as well.

[Crafty Amanda]

Originally Posted by juxie

I think if you have a good preschool it is great, especially for social skills and to work on the seperation anxiety (we had a lot the first couple of months). Academically - I wasn't concerned as we do so much reading and arts and crafts at home - although it is nice she gets that at school as well.

My sentiments exactly I remember on days that my youngest didn't have preschool when he went two days a week (he was 3), every once in a while we would go out to breakfast together and have pancakes, just him and I! It was such fun

i can't believe my youngest is turning 10 tomorrow!

[ambz79]

I used to teach preschool and I think you definitely need to prepare the kids for Kindergarten. I would like to do home preschool for my son. I just hope that he can learn from me. Some kids need more of a school atmosphere with other kids around.

[andyandlexismom]

Originally Posted by ambz79

I just hope that he can learn from me. Some kids need more of a school atmosphere with other kids around.

I agree...there are some children who need the structure of a school atmosphere. Good luck with schooling your son at home!

[Kathy]

Yes both boys went to a state pre school it was optional, now pre school is replaced with preps (preparatory year) and it's mandatory ...... well as far as being either home school or state.

Personally I could not be a home schooling mum, no matter how many checks are done I would worry that I can't teach them enough for later life, I'm happy to do the "extras"

[Sammi1961]

Kathy, I could never homeschool either. I don't think I would have the self discipline to plan the lessons and stick to a schedule. I also don't think my dks would have ever listened to me.

Here in NH, neither pre school nor kindergarten are mandatory. Luckily, most NH towns/cities do have kindergarten programs and my town just started all-day kindergarten this year.

[Kathy]

Sammi that would be the other thing getting the kids to pay attention, sheesh I can't get them to hang up their towels half the time how would I get them to sit down and do sums?

[Linda/NE]

I realize this is an old topic, but I just found it. I am a preschool teacher. I own and operate a preschool and after school program in my community. I am amazed at the lack of understanding some families have about what preschool is. To many I'm just a glorified "babysitter" (I HATE that word! it's so politically incorrect!) Preschool is not about sitting at a desk and doing pencil and paper activities. In fact studies show that worksheets are developmentally inappropriate for preschool children. That's not to say you shouldn't ever give them a worksheet to do-they love to do what they see 'big' kids bring home from school. The whole preschool program shouldn't be based around it. We have a church based preschool here that gives all the kids worksheets for 'homework-even 3 yr. olds! The parents think "wow! my child is going to be so ready for kindergarten!" They are so clueless!
The decision on preschool is a personal one based on the needs of the child. If deciding to send a child to preschool parents need to find one that suits their needs. Important things to look for is the education level of the teacher (again research shows the higher the education of the teacher the better the students will do in future educational settings) and the types of activities they do.

[Crafty Amanda]

I agree that preschool teachers are definitely not glorified babysitters. All of my kids (I have 4) went to preschool. Every one of them loved it and it was so great to see them come home with new knowledge everyday. The social skills they picked up were wonderful too, and the friends they made! The choice is a personal one, but it was definitely worth it to me.