Send child to preschool?

Question

I have a 2 year old, and I have been told I need to send him to preschool (by my mother-in-law of course) and I cannot decide if I really want to. I've called several of them, and I hate to say it, but when did being a child become all about stuffing your heads so full of stuff at such a young age? I am totally for education, have a college degree etc, but teaching 2 year olds to write the alphabet seems a little much to me. I called sevearl churches that have mother's day out programs and they are the same, they go by the school day hours, and have a Sept-May year. I want my son to have fun and learn by doing things, but I don't want to put him at a disadvantage though because of not sending him and he is behind what is expected in Kindergarten. We do things, but it's not like a set structured schedule all day every day, I've tried that, and I had a hard time keeping to it because I have things I need to do too (errands, tending to the other kids etc). Anyone have advice?

Answer 1

I felt the same way you did.  I put my son in preschool when he was 3 (thats the starting age for many programs) and I wasn't really impressed with the setup and the way they taught.  He is in a different school now that he is 4 because we moved.  He has learned so much stuff and its not just about what he learns educationally wise, but its also about learning how to socialize.  This year has already been such a great experience for my son that I am very glad that I did send him.  Also, now adays, when you put a child in Kindergarten they are expected to at least be starting to read.

Answer 2

during 2-5 yrs old 25% of his behavior developed. i would suggest you put him in home school. i want my child to be influence by my good values not influence by others....its critical for this age!

Answer 3

I have a 2 year old. I know what you mean. You just want them to have fun and play with other kids. Just remember that everything at this age is a learning experience. What might be considered work to you is simply discovery for him. It is good to start them young now, just don't let the school pressure him or you. Every child moves at his own pace. I know a brilliant doctor that couldn't read until he was 7. He just wasn't interested until then. One day he just started to read. Put your child in a good program and simply moniter his progress. Is he excited to go or clingy? Is he happy when you walk in and he doesn't know you are there yet? Are you ready for him to go, because if you aren't he will know and not adjust well. Don't do something with your child because of being pushed. He needs to be socialized, yes, but if he is already getting that with other kids, than you do what you want. Psss... mother-in-laws, your kids are grown, deal with it!

Answer 4

I agree that two is young for preschool. I would start him off at 3 years old and I know, at least where I live, there are programs you can attend two or three half days which I think is a good compromise for 3 years old and then maybe a 5 day a week half day program at 4 years old.  I think being in a classroom setting at least the year prior to K is good a idea. Not mostly for the academics, but to get him use to being in a group of students, sitting for circle time following classroom directions and to get that academic preview. I know many of the K teachers I talk to worry that students who are over prepared for K will be bored because they still have to cover the same material for all the students that includes phonics and beginning reading etc.

Answer 5

With my first son, I put him in preschool at age 2 because his daycare provider lacked a certain structure that I felt he needed at that age. He learned to socialize, he was potty trained, learned his numbers, colors, etc...It almost broke my HEART to pull him from that school when the tuition went up and I could no longer afford it.

My youngest son turned 3 in July and I enrolled him to preschool this past September. I was reluctant to start him at age 2 because his daycare provider had a very structured academic environment.  She had him potty trained by 18 months and by the time he turned 2, she had taught him the entire alphabet (upper and lower case), his numbers up to 20 and his body parts. Now that he's in school, he's ahead of his class because he already knows the things that his teacher is going over.

I have 3 children at home...and they all learn from each other. As long as your parenting is structured, I don't see anything wrong with giving your child an edge on education. He'll get over the separation anxiety...and hopefully you will too!

Answer 6

well i would check out the schools and find out more about the schools because you want your child to have a fun time at school and you want them tyo go back to schooll them main idea of preschool is to get your children prepared for school and most preschools offer great programs for your kids and you should take advatage of these programs and if you go to these things with your kids or by yourself and they like it or you think your kid will enjoy it you should enroll them in doing that

Answer 7

Maybe start looking for Co- Op type preschool. My daughters went to one and I love it. They only go a couple days a week and they learn more about socializing than academics. They will learn all that stuff in kindergarten anyway. They let the parent be totally involved and you meet all the people your kids will be around.