What do you think about preschool?

[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." 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! 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. All of this is pretty funny since I never went to preschool as a child.

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

[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.

[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