Preschool vs no school?

Question

My son is 3. He will miss the cut off to start kindergarten this fall. There really isn't a structured preschool in my location. How important is it for my son to go to preschool?

Answer 1

I am assuming he is almost 4 since you tried putting him in Kindergarten. I think that there is little to no reason to put a three year old in preschool...however, I think 4's can benefit from being with other children...but don't leave him there all day like most parents do. Half a day is good for his age.

And, if you don't find a good preschool, don't put him in because it can do more damage than good.

By the way, kids with no preschool catch up very quickly to kids that went to preschool...

Answer 2

My little sister didn't go to preschool and she is the smartest kid in kindergarten.  We would just sit down with her and teach her to read and write once in a while ourselves.

Answer 3

Pre-school is important because it gets kids used to following a routine, rules, working with other kids, sharing, etc.  It's also important becuase it gives the basics, like writing your name, numbers and letters, colors, shapes, etc.  Now all these things are taught in kindergarten, too, but you don't want your son to be too far behind everyone else.  

If there is no preschool in your area, it is not the end of the world.  Just make sure you go over those things with him at home.  Give him a taste of what school will be like.  You can certainly prepare him at home, almost as well as a preschool can, and in some cases, maybe better.

Answer 4

not that important what do they do? play all day?

by staying at home with you, he'll learn many more things

Answer 5

preschool prepares children for the next step i think it is fairly important

Answer 6

If your son is smart then I reccomend putting him in kindergarten. But you should ask him.

Answer 7

Kids your son's age are like sponges - they learn very quickly, so from that respect it can make all the difference. I'd suggest you get some educational toys for him.

Answer 8

If you work and have the money, it will be beneficial for your son.  It will help him interact and have fun with other kids.

Answer 9

I think it prepares them for school and the socialization is extremely important.

Answer 10

It's important!! If there isn't one in your area, you could teach him at home.  Help him with the basics so that when he does go into kindergarten he won't have a hard time understanding.  Have the school give you the curriculum for kindergarten in your area and do what you can to prepare him.  It shouldn't take more than 1hr of your time.  Spend 20 min. on each subject.  There are lots of websites that you could get activities from.  Good Luck

Answer 11

If there isn't a structure pre-school in the area, then likely he won't be going to school with a class full of children that HAVE been to preschool.

K prepardedness is relative.  A lot depends on the norms and expectations of your area.

He may be a bit disadvantaged if he was the only who had not attended in a class full of those that have because the routine of school would be a learning curve for him as well as the academics.  However, it seems that he will be learning those routines with the rest of his class mates.

That being said, I have lots of friends that sent their children to K w/o preschool, and the kids have done beautifully.  

In lieu of preschool, take him to story time at the library or local bookstore (to get him used to sitting and listening quietly in a group), enroll him in an age appropriate sport or activity (to get him used to following directions from a "teacher" and doing something without you there) and work with him at home on letters and their phonetic sounds, counting past 30, and of course colors, shapes, etc.

He'll be fine!

Good Luck

PS I have to ask, if he is only 3, then wouldn't he start K not this fall, but next? Don't you have to be 5 in your area??

Answer 12

I think it is important. If your child goes to preschool he will learn to get along with other kids and start to learn what it feels like to make friends, be away from his parents, and learn what it is like to have a teacher and be in a class. Also, many things they teach in preschool they re-teach in kindergarden. So, he will be ahead of the game in kindergarden and might not have a hard time. I think he should go to preschool...he has nothing to lose.

Answer 13

It is not important for them to go to preschool as long as u put him into something else where he interacts with other children. Where he has to learn about sharing and others feelings, Tumbling classes, or something of  that nature. If u decide not to put him in a preschool try a daycare even if it is for a hr a day. Also i would start teaching at home. Putting on his on coat, pushing in his chair, teaching him that he has to put his own work/toys away and that they all have a spot that they go, Please and tys ect.

Answer 14

Preschool is a great building ground for many important skills. It's not all about playing... but there is a lot of that going on - mostly because children that age learn best through play. Besides learning letters, numbers, colors and shapes at preschool... the most important thing he would learn is social skills.

There are no preschools in your area? Not even "childcare" centers or church preschools or local school districts that offer pre-k programs? If that truely is the case... look into playgroups in your area. Music classes, tumble classes, organized sports, art/craft workshops, anything to get him socializing with other children in a structured environment. It is important to have some experience with a preschool type situation so that the transition to kindergarten is smooth.

Answer 15

I am a preschool teacher myself, but I might not send my own daughter to preschool (she is in daycare at the moment). Outside of social interaction there are many things you can teach your child at home, in a more natural and one to one setting.  For example, you can teach your child how to use scissors to cut paper, how to draw different shapes and use them to make pictures, you can let your child watch you cook and have him do something like measure or poor salt into a bowl, you can read to him daily and teach him songs with actions, take him to museums, zoos and national parks or even another country if you can! Another important thing to teach him manners and is what behavior is appropriate and what is not in certain settings. Teach him how to say "thank you" and "your welcome" and "excuse me." Explain to him what is safe and not safe.  Give him opporunities to wait patiently for appointments, sit still during a concert and eat in a fairly nice restaurant.    I think the only children who really need preschool are the ones whose parents never teach them anything at home.

Answer 16

In many ways, preschool is an over rated experience.  As long as your son has the opportunity to socialize frequently with a variety of children and has worked out the issues surrounding separation with you, he will be able to negotiate kindergarten quite well when the time comes.  If you are worried about "things he should know" consider that it just doesn't take the long for a person to learn 26 alphabet letters and ten numerals.  Most children in houses where books are read to them and adults read for pleasure and information in their presence discover the nuances of beginning literacy easily without formal instruction.  Your son may have a bit of adjustment at the beginning of his kindergarten year to the structure that is imposed by a school setting.  However, better that he plays catch up in that area than that he is already burnt out on school from having spent too much time in a school setting as a preschooler rather than playing.  Play IS the work of young children.

Answer 17

Scientifically the importance of pre-school is very debatable. in recent studies like preschool have had little effect on a childs test scores and intelligence, as IQ has proven itself a highly genetically predisposed characteristic. it may help him cope with social situations. if you have other kids around the house this is a nonissue though

Answer 18

I am from the old school.  Let your child enjoy being a child and learn to have alone time to play and imagine and enjoy his things.  When it is time to go to school, I guarantee he won't be any less smart than those who have gone to pre-school.  I believe we tend to rush our children into things these days.

Answer 19

very important and it's awsum.

he would have a BLAST.

Answer 20

If there is a good preschool in your area, then you might as well get your son started on the idea of school and socializing, etc.  You said there wasn't one available, so don't worry too much, just make sure you work with your son on learning colors, numbers, letters, as much as he is able to learn.  It will make kindergarten easier for him.  Just keep working with him even after he starts school.  Don't assume that the teacher has taught him everything he needs to know and your job is done.  The more you can push him to learn, and to enjoy learning, the better off he will be.

I didn't go to preschool, just daycare, but my mom worked with me in the evenings, so when I started kindergarten, I could already read.  I did just fine in school - graduated veledictorian, got a full ride to Texas A&M.  I never thought I missed out on anything by not going to preschool.