Is he ready for Pre-K?

Question

I have a four year old (turns five in November) who starts school this year. I am not very knowledgeable to how the process goes but I was pretty sure he would have started head start first. They have put him in Pre-K. I am concerned that he is going in too soon considering he has not gone to school before. They said to get him in this year he HAD to go to Pre-K. I'm just wondering if he's ready for this. He doesn't quite know his alphabet or numbers and I am just curious if they are going to be patient or just throw him in and expect him to know as much as the children that have already attended. Any advice for a mom new to having a child in school??

Answer 1

I'm not a parent, but I think that he's ready. You can learn your alphabet and numbers in pre-k. Your child is actually old enough to be starting kindergarten, so this is kind of late. Most are in kindergarten when they're five. The pre-k I was in as a child was two year, so the kids started when they were only 3. If 3 year olds can handle pre-k, then a kid that's nearly 5 definitely can.

Answer 2

RUN, DON"T WALK... PUT HIM IN!!!

I am a pre-k teacher and it will be for his benifit to be in pre-k before going to kindergarten.

They do not have to know the alphabet or anything... that is what we will get to and slowly teach them at thier pace. We also teach them how to write thier name and cut and do all those good things so that they are ready for kindergarten. You will not regret putting your child in pre-k. Your child will also learn how to make friends and also how to act socally. It actually makes me sick to think that some parents don't put thier child in Pre-k.

Also I have some students who are great... they know everything and some students who barely respond to thier own name, let alone know how to follow directions. Your childs future teachers will thank you for putting your son into pre-k.  

Answer 3

He is definitely ready for Pre-K. I am a Pre-K teacher here in Texas and he is at a perfect age for it. Head-start is usually for 3 yr olds who for whatever reason are considered at-risk (language, economic level of parents, etc.). 4 yr olds are automatically placed in Pre-K. As far as he not knowing his alphabet or numbers, this is exactly why Pre-K is important. Here we teach them the letters and the numbers and start them in pre-writing assignments. In kindergarten they focus more on the sounds of the letters (phonetics) and how to get them combined to make words (to get them starting on reading). I would highly advise any parent for them to place their child in Pre-K.

As far as any advice for moms, well the one I can always think about is trust your teacher (I know this sounds obvious coming from a teacher) but remember we were trained on the needs of kids and  how they learn. If you trust the teachers and give them the necessary support at home your child will succeed, which is the ultimate goal: success and safety of all kids!

Answer 4

He's totally ready! He'll learn his letters and numbers in pre-k, that's what it's all about. The only advice I have it to start teaching him to write his name and don't baby him if he starts crying when you leave him at school. He has to get used to the teacher!

Answer 5

He'll be fine and is at the perfect age for Pre-K.  Headstart is not mandatory.  You will be surprised how much he will learn by the end of the school year.  He isn't going to be behind.  Most pre-k children don't know their entire alphabet and many can't count past 5.  Pre-K is a learning year and you have to be a patient teacher to teach that grade level.  He is going to learn ABC's, 123's, colors, shapes, sharing, friendship, socialization, etc...  Pre-K is a learning year and your son will be just fine.

Answer 6

I think he'll be fine given that he's going to be at an age advantage. Most kids had barely or just turned 4 when they enter pre-k. He'll be mature enough. He doesn't need to know the alphabet or numbers that's were they introduce them to them, but it would help if he did. I think he is going to be ok.

Answer 7

I believe he is ready my i put my son in when he was four to and he learned alot!!!!!!

Answer 8

It's not too soon to put him in PreK. He will learn many things this year. Just make sure you work with him at home as well.