Does anyone NOT send their kids to preschool these days?

Question

I am a stay at home mother of 3. None of my children have attended preschool. When people hear this, they look at me like I am crazy. I don't have a problem with preschool, I just really enjoy teaching and playing with my children at home. I am just curious if anyone out there feels the same.

Answer 1

In our neighborhood ALL 4-year-olds attend a PreK program, even though most of the mums are stay-at-home.  We therefore get to see first-hand the differences between the various kinds of programs (play-based, academic, Montessori, etc) and there IS a difference.  Most parents focus on the academics, but there are many other skills to learn: fine motor, gross motor, behavior, sitting still, paying attention for 20 minutes, playing nice in the sandbox, using scissors, etc.  A-B-Cs and counting, though interesting and measurable, are the easy bits.  He gets to be with friends, play on a "team", learn how to separate from parents, sharing stuff and the like. Short answer: if you're going to public school, PreK is optional.  If, however, you're trying to get into a competitive Kindergarten (some schools nearby have 7 applicants for every child accepted), the PreK is a must.

Answer 2

Even though I'm now a Pre-school teacher, our children did not go to Pre-school, except the youngest one. And that was more because she was the only one left at home and enjoyed being with other children so much. There is NOTHING wrong with keeping your child at home and even though a lot of people like to make one believe that there is a pre-requisit for Kindergarten, there is not. In fact, in many states, Kindergarten is not even required!!!!!!!!!! surprised? I was when I found out! :-) But school age is 6  - which is 1st grade, unless your child has a late birthday. But I'm getting of topic here.

Somebody posted the following lists. These are things that they will learn in Kindergarten and are not things they have to know before they start!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There abc's

How to spell their name

Begin writing their name

Count to at least 20

Write the numbers 1-10

Recognize letters of alphabet on paper

how to recognize basic shapes

draw the basic shapes

Their colors

Read sight words(me,I,a,see,the,my

Answer 3

Good for you for choosing to staying home!  That is often a good choice, every family needs to decide for themselves.   Preschool is a good thing for working mothers, as it stimulates the children at an age appropriate level and allows children to develop social skills when their mothers are at work.   If you are a stay at home mother, they are receiving the same benefits they would receive in preschool from you staying home.  As long as you are not plopping them down in front of the TV, your children will be just fine.  Preschool teaches developmental milestones like following directions, cutting, coloring, and writing their names that can be easily learned at home. They may miss out on social interaction, but they can receive this through interaction with the neighborhood children and their siblings.

Answer 4

I don't think you are crazy, but I do think that a high-quality preschool does provide some advantages over homeschooling in the way of developing socialization skills (outside of family members) and independence.

I have watched my daughter and her peers since Kindergarten (they are now in 5th grade). The ones who attended pre-K were noticeably ahead academically and socially. That trend is still evident today in 5th grade, though not as much. One little boy who had never gone to school outside the home was very reserved and academically delayed and ended up being retained in Kindergarten for another year.

Answer 5

My oldest child did not go to preschool but my younger two did. They went to EEE because they had speech delays.

Answer 6

If my family is financial able, I will keep my kids at home too. I will make sure that they are exposed to situations that will prepare them for kindergarten (i.e. sitting still for small amount of time, resolving conflicts with other kids, talking to other adults, being with another adult for a while.)

Answer 7

not sending them to preschool is okay my sister didnt send her oldest now 6. he is not behind or anything because he didnt go to preschool. There are a few things that they have to know by the time they are going to kindergarten. But if you teach them the things they have to know they wont be behind.

Here are some things they should know for example

There abc's

How to spell their name

Begin writing their name

Count to at least 20

Write the numbers 1-10

Recognize letters of alphabet on paper

how to recognize basic shapes

draw the basic shapes

Their colors

Read sight words(me,I,a,see,the,my)

I took this off of my nephews first report card from kindergarten last year.

Answer 8

you arnt crazy. its good to have a close relationship with your children. preschool is a grade that all kids do is socialize and it seems that you have done that your self.

Answer 9

My kids didnt go to preschool either.I couldnt afford it and I taught them just as much at home as they would have learned in school.Thank You Sesame Street.I used Sesame Street flash cards and the kids loved them!

I learned from a teacher that goes to my church that they are teaching kindergarten kids how to read sentences already.If I had a young child now,I would be home-schooling him for sure.They push too much on these kids now a days.And if they cant keep up,they shove Ritalin down their throats.And we are supposed to teach our kids,Just Say No to drugs?

Answer 10

I did not send any of my children to preschool either.  However, they do expect a lot out of the children when they start school now.  They usually already need to know their abc's how to spell and write their name, address and telephone number, know their colors and no some basic reading.  With each passing year, expectations seem to be higher.  Each of my 3 children are 8 years apart and it was totally different for each of them.  If you are able to keep up with what they need, I say don't worry about what others are thinking.  It is really none of their business how you raise your children.  Besides there are many home schooled children that really excel  far above those that attend school.

Answer 11

Most kids who have both parents working will be in preschool.  If a parent stays home like you do, i'm sure kids are less likely to go.

We've sent both kids to daycare and preschool, after they were about 6-9 months old.  At first for a couple half days.  As the started talking, they wanted to go more and more.  We liked the socialization with other kids and they loved it even more.

I personally suggest that even stay at home parents consider sending the kids off for a half day or day each week, so they get some contact with others and to potentially give you break.  Of course that's based on having the cash, the car and a good place to send your child, before you can even consider it.

And I'm sure there a millions of parents who feel the same as you.  The world hasn't passed you by and i'm sure you're kids will do great.

Have fun, appreciate them while they're home.

Answer 12

Preschool is practically a prerequisite to kindergarten now, because it helps to socialize children.  You may be a fine mother, but not all parents can afford to stay at home.  It doesn't mean they don't enjoy teaching and playing with their children, just as you do; so don't assume that.   Working parents have a different set of problems,which makes it more convenient for them to send their kids to preschool.   No doubt, there are those who think you're crazy, but most people are simply too busy to focus on you.  And as long as the child is properly socialized, it doesn't matter whether the parent stays at home or not, so don't pat yourself on the back just yet.

Answer 13

First off I applaud you for being a stay at home mommy. I was until my son was seven months old and then I had to go back to work. First he was wathced by my next door neighbor. Once he turned two he started at preschool. I chose this route so that he can socialize and learn proper behaviors that he will need in two years for elementary school. I have noticed that he talks more now then he did when he was not going to preschool.

Answer 14

We don't.  We have a 3 year old and a 4 year old.  They go to Wednesday evening playtime/church time and sometimes go to a weekly play group.  We have taught the 4 year old to write his name and count and he knows can identify all the letters of the alphabet, but is not reading words yet.  We generally teach both of them the same thing and the 3 year old will sometimes understand what the 4 year old is taught, sometimes not.  We don't have a curriculum at all.

They are home with a parent and the other sibling most of the time.

Answer 15

I am a mother of 2 and neither of my girls went to preschool either... I think being with Mommy is good for our children!

Answer 16

I am also a stay at home mother of 3 and i love preschool but only because i dont have any interest in teaching my children myself.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to teach and play with your children.  As long as they are getting their needs met then good on you.  Keep up the good work mum.

Answer 17

It is good you can do that for your child. Only make sure he/ she is spending as much time posiible with other children of same age.

Answer 18

I do know several families that are not sending their child to preschool. I did not plan on it either but my son is so shy and scared of new places/things that I decided to send him 3 mornings a wk/3 hours a day. (I would have been OK with 2 days but they are all at least 3 days)

I love playing and teaching my children as well. My son is ahead of most of the kids already and already knows what he needs to for kindergarten. I chose to send him just to get used to the whole situation.  If your children do not have this problem then that's great. Sounds like you are a wonderful, caring and patient mother. I hate hearing the parents who say "I can't wait for Mondays" or get upset when there is a holiday!

Answer 19

Good on you ,its a pity a lot more of these must have a baby mothers dont take more pride ,and do what mothers do

Answer 20

According to the state of California, children that attend preschool are more successful in their formal schooling years.

I was a stay at home mom when my first three were that age: and they never went to preschool and turned out just fine (I would've put them in it, but I was ignorant, young, and poor this was in the early 80s)

Now I am raising a second set of kids (and a stay at home mom like yourself), and both of them have been in preschool and are now in elementary school.  If I knew then what I know now I would definitely make sure that they had preschool!

I believe that preschool nowadays is more like kindergarten of yesteryear.  They have so much more of an advantage academically then they did 20 years ago.  

So, in answer to your question, I think preschoolers should be in preschool............. It's only about 2 hours a day and the rest of the day you can play with them and teach them what you want.

Answer 21

i didn't!!!!!! come to find out she aint any worse off than those that do go to preschool. one paper said, and i aint quotin', that most kids who enter school in kindergarten don't know their numbers, letters, or how to write their names anyway with or without preschool. all preschool does, in my opinion, is show kids how to socialize a little bit quicker and give them some idea of what will be expected when they start school.  i kept my kids out for several reasons: i could'nt afford it , i'm a stay home parent, and i aint gonna mess up my kids school records any sooner than necessary,>missing school because of behavior even in pre-k can have a bad effect on any kids school records such as attendance, how easy they are to be taught, their grades, etc.    i don't think your crazy. i think the people who give you the crazy looks are just jealouse that you were able to be a stay home mom!!!!          my opinion: excellent decision!!!