What do you think about preschool?

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Would you (or did you) send your child to preschool? Why or why not?

[Logan]

I did! Actually I had no choice since I was a single mom at the time and I worked fulltime. Helen was in day care until she was 3 years old and then started at a "school", which started preschool at 3. She had preschool in the mornings and then just day care in the afternoons. It was wonderful for her, though, and she learned so much more than I could have crammed in during our time together in the evenings. Helen is entering the 11th grade this fall and is a very well adjusted 16 year old.

If things had been the way I really wanted them to be, she would have gone to preschool in the mornings and been at home with me the rest of the day.

Logan

[prechrswife]

We probably will look at Pre-K/K-4 programs when our daughter turns 4, but not until then.

[JenBKR]

I remember preschool from when I was little; I loved it. I have so many happy memories from preschool. I imagine I will be sending my kids to preschool, but I have plenty of time to think about that ;)

[critter crazy]

I went, hubby went, and both of my kids have gone. I think it gives them a headstart as to what to expect when Kindergarten comes. In our situation, our oldest lives with his mother, so my youngest is pretty much an only child during the week, so we felt it would be a great benifit for him to be able to interact with other kids, before he went to Kindergarten, so it wouldnt be such a huge shock to his system. I Find it a great Benifit for the kids.

Pre-K also helps to Identify any problems a child might have. Such as a learning problem, or anything else.

[Sirrahsim]

I plan on starting Tyler in preschool next year if we live close enough to one! Heaven only knows where we will be in a year though :eek: :)


I can't believe I just typed that.... my baby boy can't possibly be turning 3 and getting ready for preschool next year!! :eek: :eek: He is so quick to pick up anything new and I think that preschool will benefit him greatly :)

[carole]

Absolutely, both my children attended pre-school, my son the local free pre-school and my daughter went to Montessori, which opened up just around the corner from us, as i don't drive we decided this was so handy and had heard so much good about it we decided the financial struggle was well worth it, I remember hearing about two young chaps,who are well known but i cannot think of their names who became millionaires ,they swear it was their montessori pre-school that got them where they are today lol, let us hope so.

I think it is a great idea, it helps them socialise, get prepared for school ahead,and it gives you a break too, my children just loved it.

[Freedom]

I started school at First Grade. Kindergarten was not required back then as it is now.My mom read to me regularly and by the time I started school, I new my number to 100, my alphabet, and I was reading Little Golden Books.

I was the first child and my bro hadn't arrived yet. I hated being away from my mom. I cried constantly. We used to have a recess at 10 AM and get a bottle of milk then some time outdoors before returning to class. One morning, I asked the teacher if I could go home. She told me I could go home later.

Recess time, I had my milk, went outside and walked home! Well, it WAS later!!

My mom was stunned when I walked in the house. While she was paging through the phone book to call the principal and let her know I was home, I went in my room took off my dress and got into my play clothes.

Boy was there a scene when Mom came in and said I had to return to school!!

My cousins were in 5th and 6th grade. They walked up to my house and got me and brought me back. I guess the principal felt that having mom walk me back was not going to work. My cousins still tease me about this over 45 YEARS later!

I probably would have done the same thing in a kindergarten or a preschool, not sure. I guess you just need to get your children used to being away from you for a period of time.

And by the way, can't you just imagine if a child did this today? The school would be in lock down, the principal would have a heart atatck and the National Guard would be called in!

[Jods]

^ funny story!!!

I know a similar one with my mom in it. She was the same age and no pre-k either, but she walked to my grandfathers workplace and knocked on the big factory doors for someone to let her in :eek: HAHA aparently a man saw her and took her in and she found her dad and he was so mad hehe. HE took her to his mothers which was apparently punishment enough she says her grandmother was mean haha

[jackie]

I will be sending my children (when I have them) to preschool just for the socialization.

[lizbud]

Yes, both of my children went to pre-school.They couldn't start till they
were 3 1/2 yrs & they went 3 days a week. Mommies did car pools taking
the children. My kids loved it & learned so much. They seemed so proud of
themselves. :) The school even had a graduation ceremony with caps and
gowns. It was kinda neat. I didn't work outside the home so I was always
there for them when they came home. It was a blessing. :)

[Pam]

Yes both of mine went as well and enjoyed it very much. My grandson also went and his wee little brother (1 yr. old) will go when he is old enough. :)

[angelbow20]

My son will be starting on sept 5th and will be 4 the of sept. I think its a really good start for little kids and they get to play with children their age as well.

[Marigold2]

Oh my kids loved pre-school. For some it's there first time away from mom and it gives them a chance to meet new kids and learn new things. Those that don't go are sadly often behind in the basics.

[wolfsoul]

I started preschool when I was 2, and ended it when I was 4 -- I entered kindergarten at 4.
I loved preschool, it was a great way to socialise. I did not have great socialisation skills -- in my preschool report cards it details this. "Jordan needs to learn to use her words and not her angry fists." :rolleyes: It took two years of preschool to get me to behave properly with other children -- imagine how this behaviour would have been tolerated in kindergarten and grade 1? Not so much. I did love preschool though!

My (future) children will definatly be going to preschool. I want them to make as many friends and learn as many things as possible. I want my kids to be very educated and to have a busy and fulfilled life. I think preschool is a great way to do this. Not to mention I'll be working full-time and will need them to be somewhere during the day!

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Absolutely, no doubt about that!!
I am a premary school teacher( I don't teach anymore). All basic things are taught in pre-school : colour, cut with scissors, work in a group, quantity, social and physical skills, etc.... . A kid who learn all this has a tremendous arrears when it starts premary school.
All kids should be allowed to go to preschool!

[Taz_Zoee]

Oh, I just love this thread!:D Although I do not have children, and who knows if I ever will, but I did work in the child care industry for 12 years. So of course, I am a strong believer in preschool. I won't repeat everything everyone else has already said. :)
Some of our friends have children that are not in preschool. One boy is almost 3 years old and can't even look at a stranger. I know that could be good in some ways, but he cries his head off when anyone tries to hold him, touch him or talk to him. However, he is a very smart child. He knows his letters, colors, shapes and animals (sounds). So for him preschool would be a great thing for socialization.
Another of our friends have a boy who will be 5 in January. He is a very social child. He'll go up and talk to anyone without fear. He's got a great sense of humor and LOVES to play video games. One time I was playing video games with him and told him to press the triangle. He said - the red one or the green one? There is only one triangle on the control. There are different shapes and each is a different color. He knew the color but not the shape. He also didn't know the letters or numbers at all. So this child would benefit in preschool in an academic way.
So that's my two cents worth. :D All of this is pretty funny since I never went to preschool as a child. :eek:

ETA: If I'm not mistaken Kindergarten is still not required (at least in California). Although, everyone goes. :D

[cali]

no opinion on it myself lol my parents didnt send me to pre-school, I just went striaght to kindergarden when I was 4. probably would not have done much good to send me, I was so unbeleivably shy at that age....my mom said that when I was left at daycare I would cry the ENTIRE time until my mom came back lol pssst I know its for socilzing and stuff, but I wasnt like other "shy" kids and never have been, my shyness runs EXTREMLY deep, and no matter how many friends I had, I didnt start comming out of my shell till grade 11. I am still quite shy most of the time(not all the time obviously considering one of my co-workers started laughing and thought I was joking when I said I was shy...)

[Cataholic]

I didn't go to preschool, and kindergarten was only half day, back in the day. I managed to do okay, academically and socially. I don't think preschool is necessary to succeed in either area.

Jonah is going to preschool this fall, two mornings a week, 9-1130am. I don't welcome the onslaught of coughs, colds, etc., that will soon flock this household. I have spent a lot of time explaining to him that I will drop him off at school, and not go in with him. He hasn't been anywhere, yet, without a relative. :eek:

[Christiansmommy]

Yes, we did pre-school with Christian when he was 4. I will send Jeremy too when he is that age. Christian only went 2 days a week, it was a private school with tuition, otherwise maybe I would have sent him one more day each week. He cried at first, but got used to it pretty quickly and I think the most beneficial thing for him was learning to be away from mommy, for when he started kindergarten ( which for us was full day)...it would have been a total shocker for him ( and me) to have him home all day with me, then to go to Kindergarten from 8:30-3:40 every day w/o mommy. So it was a great transition for both of us. He enjoyed being with the kids and learning how to stand in a line and quiet time, and all of the basics. I can't believe how big my little baby has gotten...he's starting 1st grade in 1 month!!!!! He still has separation issues with me sometimes, but that is b/c he is definitely a mama's boy :)