Moms out there - when did you send your child to preschool?

Question

I always said I would send my child to preschool at 3 but while he just turned 2 at the end of June, I'm wondering if he will even be ready/want to go by 3. I would like him to but so far, I'm wondering if he will be willing to by that age and I don't want his first experiences with school to be negative at all - where he feels abandoned, etc.. (I'm a SAHM). I rather wait until he is 4, if at 3 he really doesn't want to go at all, and understand why he is in school and knows it's a fun place. I will still try at age 3 but just was worried about him not going if it just doesn't work out. I just wanted to hear others thoughts. Thanks!

Answer 1

i always thought pre-school was for working mothers. SAHM's have all day to teach their children ABC's, counting, tieing shoes, and colors. i was a WSM (working-single mother...i made that up, i want a title too!) and my children went to daycare and pre-school...they had to, i had no choice.

Answer 2

Keep him home as long as possible.  You can give him a great start with some structured focus on educational activities.  The difference is, you won't need hours a day, just a few minutes at a time through out the day.  Most of all, you'll have time that you will never regret and he will never forget together.

Answer 3

My oldest did not go to preschool. My younger two started when they were 3. They both loved it. It was good for them (and me). My second one cried when I left for a few days, my second one the first day of school last year, gave me a hug and said bye mommy and was off. I wish we had sent my oldest to preschool.

Answer 4

Children at the age of 3 are entitled to one  2 1/2 hr session at nursery in the UK. (I presumed you were in the UK) and as a Nursery nurse I can't stress enough how important it is for a child to get this education at this stage. Not only do they learn how to ABC and 123 which is important they also learn how to play with other children, share and gain confidence within an environment which they will not experience at home. yes it is vital for children to get the time with Mum and Dad but in order to fit in with school when they get there they have to learn social skills that unfortunately a lot of parents differ in what is acceptable behaviour. Social skills cannot be taught to a child unless they are in a social situation. So yes send your child to pre-school because if he doesn't seem old enough emotionally now then he may be the same when he is 4 and therefore will take longer to settle in his pre-school year.

Answer 5

I have 4 children. My 2 older children went  to preschool and the 2 younger children did not.  The reason I put my older children in was beacause they needed to be a classroom setting... they were simple not wanting to learn from me!!!!

I think we as mothers ( working outside the home or working inside the home) know our children best. If you feel he needs more time...then he needs more time.

DO NOT WORRY WHAT FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE TO SAY.

Answer 6

Personally, based from my expeerience as a kindergarten teacher, 3 is the best age to start going to school, let them get familiar with a whole new experience and environment.  They will cry, definitely but it's normal for kids to have separation anxiety during the 1st few days or weeks in school.  After that, they'll do just fine and when they start their Pre-K, there won't be a problem anymore.