do you think preschool really helps?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2003
do you think preschool really helps?
3
Tue, 03-02-2004 - 2:20pm
My son is now 4 and will start kindergarden next year. I have a homedaycare and watch 5 children now including my own 2. I am trying to decide if it would be worth while to send him to a preschool program, or just do the stuff with him here. He just turned 4 in January and he already know the sounds of the letters and how to count, shapes and colors. I try to do art with the kids at least 2-3 times a week and give circle time. I really don't want him to be behind when he starts school, and I am wondering if I don't send him to a preshool will he be??

thanks for any imput.

sheri
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2004
Tue, 03-02-2004 - 3:15pm
Hey Sheri...cool name. Personally It sounds as if your doing a great job with ds. I've been contiplating the same thing..my son is 2 almolst 3. I personally and so does my childs pediatrician think he is better off at home. My son knows how to count,all his colors, and all the shapes. I'm very proud that I was able to teach him those things myself. All I can say is I didn't and probably more than half or our generation didn't go,so why should they. But that of course is a good question, my sister-in-law put both of her children in preschool and she's trying to convince me to put mine. I love having my kids here at home and they'll get plenty of time in school as it is. You sound like your doing some really good work with the kids you watch also,so if your kids learning at home why would you take him somewhere else. Keep up the good job.

Your friend,

Sheri
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2003
Tue, 03-02-2004 - 6:19pm
Hmmm..that is a good question.....But I use to work at a Head Start..which is like preschool.....and I know it may be hard to believe.....but they don't teach them anything. They said they wasnt allowed to teach them things like ABC's..because when they got into kindergarden they would be ahead of the other kids who didn't go to preschool. So whats the use in sending them? All the kids did was play. Thats it! Plus if you take care of kids in your home....then the child gets to be around other kids...and thats about all he will be doing at preschool. I went to preschool..when I was younger..I am 20 now....and by the time I got out of high school..I was SICK of school...I quit college..because I just needed a break. If your child...doesn't like you leaving him....then maybe you can start leaving him with a babysitter or something while you take a break......Then maybe by the time he is ready for kindergarden..he will be use to u not being there ALL the time. It sounds like you are learning him MORE at home..than he would learn in preschool.. Unless you just want a break from him...then I would just keep him home.... U just work with him..also let him write his name. I was writing my name BEFORE I went to preschool...my mom use to make dots..and I was trace the dots to learn my name.. Now they say thats not good for them...But it helped me ALOT!

Good Luck

Christy

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2003
Wed, 03-03-2004 - 12:49am
That is odd, my DS (4.5 yrs)is in Headstart (mainly for speach theropy), and I am SOO amazed at everything they have taught him!! Out of the blue one day, he just started singing his ABC's, and walked up to me and told me he had an Octagon on his shirt!! He is writing/recognizing his first name constantly now, and so much more! I know his older sister does work with him on a lot of this stuff, but I also know that a lot of it was on his evaluation at our P/T meetings. I was SOO hesitant about sending him to Head Start, I had heard SO many rumors about how it was mostly for ESL, and not much to offer to children who already spoke English. I mainly agreed to put him in it becuase of the fact that he obviously did need the help with his speach. I am just sad that my youngest will most likely not qualify for the program. :( DS was able to join because of his speach, but it doesn't look like his little sister will have the same needs, and that was the only way he could go. :(

Now, I think an actively involved parent can easily teach a child all the "requirements" for Kindergarten just fine. I know a lot of the concern is with socializing, but like someone else said, your child probably gets plenty of that being around daycare kids.

Now that is said, we have to realize that school is SO much more advanced than when we were young. When I went to Kindergarten, it was a big play date, and they wanted us to be "familiar" with the alphabet to go on to 1st grade. Here in Kansas, they have a Kindergarten screening where you have to know ALL KINDS of stuff to even be PLACED in Kindergarten!! Now, to go on to 1st grade, they want the kids to be familiar with reading (very basic, but reading none the less)! I was SOO overwhelmed with what all they wanted my DD to know for her to go to Kindergarten! She had gone to two years of preschool, so she passed with flying colors, but it really made me realize how different things are today!

I think if you actively prepare your child for Kindergarten, he/she will be just fine.

Angie