[oceanica]

Parents, teachers your input please: is preschool really that important? It seems like everybody does it nowadays, and I was thinking of that other thread on academic preschools when I saw this story.

Youngsters who skip preschool because of economy may not be ready for kindergarten : St. Lucie County : TCPalm

I have a little time to mull it over, but I was hoping I could keep the babies to myself for as long as possible!!

[2Bulgarianbeauties]

My friend is a SAHM and her kids did not attend pre-school. Her kids were more than ready for kindergarten. She would work with them at home, teaching them their letters, numbers, colors, printing their letters, learning to read, etc. So they were not just sitting around watching TV. They played with the neighborhood kids, and had lots of family, so they knew how to be around other kids.

The comments about being use to separation I just do not buy, having watched my daughters (day care) versus my friends. Mine still had separation anxiety, and seemed to have more than my friend's kids.

This article seems to be more about an adult getting enough kids enrolled so she can keep her job than about the needs of the kids. Just my 2 cents, but I am kind of tired of experts right now!

Kay

[OakShannon]

I just want to make sure you get as many conflicting opinions as possible. (Kidding!)

I would say that yes, preschool is important. Is it possible for a child who has always been home with mama to be prepared for kindergarten? Sure. If they are read to and played with and given lots of different experiences, plus spending time in larger playgroups and learning to be with different adults and getting used to being without you for extended periods. And if they are kids who adapt easily to change. I don't think that describes most kids or most situations of kids at home with a SAHM or nanny. My son would get the experiences and teaching, for example, but not the chance to socialize in a large group of kids, adapt to classroom expectations and routines, be without me for several hours at a time on a daily basis. Plus, there are things that a teacher can do in a pre-K room that I can't easily mimic at home.

We've had a few threads about this recently. Kindergarten really has changed. Kids are expected to do things we weren't asked to do until first grade. That doesn't only mean academics, it means things like the expectation that you will sit on the rug for a circle time and sit in a desk to work quietly - much more than we were asked to do. So it helps to give a child a chance to have a "school" experience before Kindergarten to help them get ready.

I've had kindergarteners in my class both with and without pre-k experiences. And, in my experience, it has always made a very noticeable difference.

[Fatcat]

I'm a homeschooler so you might want to take my opinion with a grain of salt, but here are some articles from a blog I read about homeschool. It's got a lot of links so you can read the actual studies for yourself.

Why Homeschool

[aallen25]

Like you, we have plenty of time, but I'm also flip flopping over preschool. I was talking to a friend whose daughter just started this year and I feel like the only thing DD would gain from preschool would be the experience of the school setting. She's already counting to 13 at this point, knows her colors, ABC's, shapes, animals, animal sounds, etc. What I'm saying is, I can teach her anything she would learn in preschool. I feel like I would be paying for to go just to be in school....and at this point I think that's kind of silly.

Also, she's in Gymboree so she has the socialization and the last year of Gymboree I believe is more setup like a preschool environment.

I guess I have no advice, but I just wanted to let you know we're struggling with this also.

[portlowski]

As a SAHM, I have the luxury of being able to send my son to pre-school part time starting when he is 3. He will go 3 days a week for 3 hours per day...a total of 9 hours per week. For me, this is the perfect way to introduce him to the idea of school but still allow lots of time with mom and lots of free play. I realize that working moms do not have this option but I wish they did. IMO, a full day of pre-school is just too much structured time for a kid. But if I were working 40 hours (I do work, but my sched is VERY flexible and part-time) a week I would struggle over this issue. I think you need to look at the individual program and see if there is a balance between free play and structured activity.

[shy_bear]

I think it boils down to what you want. I sent my older two to pre-k more for the social aspect b/c I am a SAHM. My middle child was not into school; I was so worried when she went to Kind. She could not write her name, had no interest in being read to or to read! She did ok; she is now in 3rd grade and excels in math. She still struggles with reading, but she has ADHD. My son is 2 and has some special needs. So he will def. be going to prek b/c that is where his services will transfer to at 3.

[mommieof2cuties]

Coming from someone who used to teach in south florida and worked at DCF and visited MANY pre-schools and daycare. I was only happy with one pre-school Program in all of Palm Beach. Why because they used real teachers who had degrees, sure I paid more but my child was being EDUCATED! I also have been reading to my children since pre-birth! With that said, I also did and still do Growing Great Kids that teaches the parents and kids something new everyday! I could send you some sheets from it. I leave the sheets for my nanny to do with the kids. I also track my kids. Education is very important, Florida is way behind. If you educate and stay on top of it and have a great pre-school than yes send them. If not, make sure the nanny is teaching the kids. We do art projects often, yes even the tiny baby can put his/her foot in paint and do footprints At six months you can do finger paint. We also take nature walks to feed the cows, my son has seen a cow being born. So the bottom line is if you have a great program from 9-12 that will educate your children great. If not and you use a nanny, make education packets for her to do with the children

God Bless,
Summer

[MamaS]

Originally Posted by aallen25

I feel like the only thing DD would gain from preschool would be the experience of the school setting. She's already counting to 13 at this point, knows her colors, ABC's, shapes, animals, animal sounds, etc. What I'm saying is, I can teach her anything she would learn in preschool. I feel like I would be paying for to go just to be in school....and at this point I think that's kind of silly.

If you decide to "Home preschool" please consider all the elements of school.
Structure: Going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time every morning because school starts at 8:00 and your child is expected to be well rested and on time. No staying up late to watch the new Scooby-Doo movie and then sleeping in the next morning. There are consequences for choices.
Sharing and Taking Turns: Not being chosen first for everything (hard to do when you are teaching at home), but important that your child can see another child chosen as line leader, fish feeder, etc. or another child get the book from the library that she wanted without sulking or having a meltdown.
Schedule: Lunch is at a certain time. If your child is hungry before that time, they learn to wait. If they are not hungry or choose not to eat at that time, they don't get a choice to eat later. Naptime is at a certain time. If your child does not want to sleep, he/she must still lie down quietly so his/her classmates can.
Self-Control: Raising your hand BEFORE you speak. NOT TALKING to the child sitting beside you when there is an individual activity going on. ANSWERING when asked a question but NOT ANSWERING for another student even if they don't know the answer or seem to be taking too long.

Some of this you can do at home with one child, but much of this you cannot. IMHO an academic preschool with certified teachers and a structured curriculum is well worth the money -- and it will provide plenty of "free time" for your child to play.

[aclee]

Our plan if for Tyler to attend one year of preschool and one year of pre K. Depending on the costs etc, we have to see...we will at least do one year of Pre K when Tyler is 4.5. Ideally though, I would want him at a year of preschool 2-3 days per week for a 1/2 day. I think it's important...

[jalapeno]

My DD just started this year. She goes 2 days a week for 3 hours a day. She really enjoys it. They have a good balance between play, academics, and faith instruction. It's also completely open to parents. I can stay in the classroom as long as I feel I need to. And I've already spent one full day there volunteering. I still have plenty of time with my daughter. But I also get a little break. And she has a chance to experience some new things and make new friends. As far as cost, I find it to be less expensive per hour than her other activity classes.

However, my DD is very friendly as social and that was a factor in deciding to send her.

[cborsa7]

Parents, teachers your input please: is preschool really that important? It seems like everybody does it nowadays, and I was thinking of that other thread on academic preschools when I saw this story

.

I don't think attending a preschool is that important if you are providing the educational benefits at home. But it is important that you are doing this. Call your local parents as teachers for monthly evaluations on what you need to be working on and where your child is. Socialization can be accomplished at the local YMCA in classes. Routine should be happening regardless of preschool, sleeping, eating, etc. Not everyone is going to have the time to work with their children on learning, not everyone will enjoy this. It really depends on the parents participation and is an individual thing.
As far as everyone is doing it, It is a different time now, a lot of parents now have careers. I find that my friends with children in preschool tend to work fulltime out of the home. We had this discussion last week and it was said "it's better than daycare". I also see a lot of SAHM's that enjoy some free time sending their little one's for a few hours a week. I don't think there is anything wrong with sending to preschool, a lot of children enjoy this, and it can be very beneficial to them. But, If you want your child at home and put in the time with your child you can accomplish the same at home.

Good Luck on your decision!

[Fran27]

For me it's important, even if it's only to teach the kids to accept someone else's authority and have more structural activities (which of course shouldn't be a problem if the kids went to daycare).

[Sleeplvr]

I was surprised by this but it is true.

My kids go to preschool. It has been a rough few weeks. You throw a bunch of 4 year olds into a classroom and you have those who are used to a school setting and those coming straight from the house. I don't know how the teacher keeps her sanity. Some of them had very little self control and are definitely not used to structure.

My kids take martial arts and they play games or activities in class. I could not believe the number of kids who felt they had to win or be first doing everything. We're talking major meltdowns in class. It's a class for ages 3-5 and they are taught hand/eye coordination and listening skills. If all we get out of the lessons is "I will listen to mommy, daddy and my teachers" it will all be worth it.

They say that prek is about socialization and it is true. They need certain social skills before going to kindergarten. Something as simple as standing in line and waiting your turn can be chaos. Watching the kids line up in the morning at preschool looks like herding cats.

Originally Posted by MamaS

If you decide to "Home preschool" please consider all the elements of school.
Structure: Going to bed at the same time every night and getting up at the same time every morning because school starts at 8:00 and your child is expected to be well rested and on time. No staying up late to watch the new Scooby-Doo movie and then sleeping in the next morning. There are consequences for choices.
Sharing and Taking Turns: Not being chosen first for everything (hard to do when you are teaching at home), but important that your child can see another child chosen as line leader, fish feeder, etc. or another child get the book from the library that she wanted without sulking or having a meltdown.
Schedule: Lunch is at a certain time. If your child is hungry before that time, they learn to wait. If they are not hungry or choose not to eat at that time, they don't get a choice to eat later. Naptime is at a certain time. If your child does not want to sleep, he/she must still lie down quietly so his/her classmates can.
Self-Control: Raising your hand BEFORE you speak. NOT TALKING to the child sitting beside you when there is an individual activity going on. ANSWERING when asked a question but NOT ANSWERING for another student even if they don't know the answer or seem to be taking too long.

Some of this you can do at home with one child, but much of this you cannot. IMHO an academic preschool with certified teachers and a structured curriculum is well worth the money -- and it will provide plenty of "free time" for your child to play.

[crick]

I think preschool is MORE important for the social and development setting than the academics. Yes, it's SOOO true as Oak said that Kindy is more challenging than when we attended school and I do think that preschool helps with that.

Having said that though, now that my kids are in 4th-7th grades, what I have witnessed is that at various points AFTER Kindy is when you see more of a balance and consistency between all the kids in terms of their learning curves. For example, my oldest was 5 when he was placed with us and had only had 6 months of preschool when I enrolled him in Kindy. Kindy was a bit more difficult for him and I worried that I should have held him back. 1st grade we got him placed in a reading support program and he seemed to not be on par with several kids in his class that had 2-3 years of preschool.
Now he's in 7th grade and he's an A&B student right along side all those other kids that had a lot more preschool than he did.

My dd is in 6th grade and she has breezed through school all these years because she's a very quick learner and things just come "easy" to her. Well, now in 6th grade, she's figuring out that she does have to study, she does have to put more effort and thinking into her homework etc. She does have 2 accelerated subjects but she's not a genius and is now learning that school IS work.

So I guess my experience is that yes, preschool is important for various reasons, but I don't feel that it's a guarantee that your child will be successful in the coming years of their academic journey. Things kind of even out after a few years and I've seen that the majority of kids are at the same level & pace no matter what type of preschool they attended or how long. (Obviously there are always kids who turn out to be further ahead, genius scale and those below etc.)

So guess my feeling is DO take advantage of preschool, but don't stress so much over it. Enjoy your children!