Is Preschool really important??

Question

We just recently moved. My son was in preschool in our old town, and now that we have moved, he can't start for a month. With us moving/buying a home, money is tight needless to say. Also, he can only get in, in the afternoon program and it would be easier if he could be in a morning program, but there is none available. In his old school, my son was one of the only children that could count to 100, spell/write his name, ect. Would it be bad of me to hold him back and just work with him at home. He would be missing out on 5-6 months of school, but we would be saving $500-$600. What should we do?

Answer 1

I don't think it would hurt him to miss out on 5-6 months of preschool, as long as you work with him.  I could no longer afford daycare about a year before my daughter went to kindergarten.  She has done fine in school.

Answer 2

Pre-school, nor Kindergarten is important for children, but being with their parents is.

Often times pre-schools are expensive day care facilities with some sort of "academic program".

If "schooling" is such an issue for the parents, because it is not for the children then get a complete curriculum book (Sam's for under $10.00), do a few workbook pages and call it good.

The most important thing you can do for such young children is be there, read to them play with them, and allow them to work/play along side you, and your husband according to their own abilities until they are ready for formal learning.

Book suggestion:

Better Late than Early by Dr. Raymond Moore, and Dorothy Moore.

Answer 3

There has been shown no developmental differences in children of preschool age that learn from home or go to preschool. You can just as easily influence your son as any teacher. Read to him, get him books, involve him in learning activities. one of the biggest benefits that preschool provides is "socializing" children, which means taking them out of the home and teaching them what is expected in public, how to cooperate, make friends. However, the same things can be taught if there are young children for him to play with. No worries... you teach your child.

Answer 4

No, not really, it's not like you learn anything anyways. WOW, NAP TIME, WOW, A PLAY KITCHEN, WOW, WE LEARNED HOW TO COLOR! Basic stuff you can teach your child at home. II skipped preschool, and look at me, I am in honors everything for every subject and the smartest girl in my school of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. I am a 6th grader.

Answer 5

Pre school is not that important except in terms of children learning socialization skills.  I would keep him home but make sure you take him to playgroups etc. and just enrol him next year in Kindergarten.

Answer 6

From a parental position and a financially tight situation, I wouldn't be able to answer (I'm 17, still at home, ect... all though I do have 5 nephews and 1 niece and when situations used to be worse I did school 3 of them as much as I could) Anyways, any teaching is important in their development as you obviously know, but I think preschool was important. Developing social skills at such a young age is important and irreplaceable at such a time during this development stage. Not only is it developing social skills but it'll advance them academically. I remember the 2 years of my preschool and a lot of what I learned believe it or not. From my first memories to my peers to learning and associating. I certainly wouldn't ask my mom to trade it for anything.  

Quick tip in case you do decide to address this at home, a child takes the most in from the after breakfast to 4 hours later, so let most of the learning be done then and the cartoons ect. at night (if allowed)

Hope this helps!

(I just read the above one, and agree. you'll most likely be closer. But I still do suggest the preschool)

Answer 7

I personally don't feel preschool is that important. I say this because I worked in preschools for over 5 years. I now have a 3 1/2 year old son, who has never been to day care or preschool. I spend maybe 15 minutes a day working with him on things like counting and letters, than the we other things like gymnastics, swimming lessons, and church for him to play with kids. My son has already learned to read his first little book, and can write all his letters. There are so many easy ways to teach children at home, and I would hate to have missed out on seeing him learn all these new things. You have to send your child to preschool for hours for them to learn what you can teach them in minutes. Good luck with your choice!

Answer 8

My daughter was in a Head Start program from age 3, something my boys didn't have the advantage of. Though I worked with my toddler sons on stuff (shapes colors etc), somehow, it coming from a teacher really benefitted. By the time my daughter was in 3rd grade she was the school's multiplication champ, sometimes against 5th graders. She started a program in HS called High Tech Academy, where in 10th grade she started taking college courses at the local community college (it counted for HS and college credits). When she graduated she already had 26 college credits! I know that the money is a lot, but am just giving you my experience with my 3 kids (in other words, I wish I had my boys in preschool!)

Answer 9

If you are getting him out and about among other children with regularity and teaching him things at home, then preschool is unneccessary.....

Answer 10

At his age you can teach him everything but if you can't pay the bills or enjoy the holidays he won't be happy. Spend the precious time with your son. He will need time to adjust to the new home & he can have an adventure with you to learn his new town!

Answer 11

I think one of the most important aspects of preschool is preparing them for the schedule of all day kindergarten and help socialize them. The number 1 reason for children failing kindergarten is lack of social skills. It seems that your son is very intelligent and is where he should be academically. I would see no reason keeping him out of preschool as long as he gets to interact with other children. There are plenty of programs at libraries, gyms, churches, etc that could help him (and you) meet friends in the new neighborhood. Good luck.

Answer 12

Preschool does give children a head start.  I would say it is beneficial but not necessary.  Children are exposed to colors, leter, writing, social skills, numbers, etc on a daily basis.  Social skills are also very important.

They are also in the routine of school and learn how school works.  They know to raise their hands to speak, and to respect others who are speaking.  That alone is one of the main causes if behavior problems in elementary school!

It just better prepares children and gives them a head start.