WWSAHMD?

catycate

We just moved to the area and I'm looking for a preschool for DS. The only one I can find in our price range is through a church, which isn't a huge deal, but we are not religious and DS has never been exposed to it. DH has more of an issue with it then I do. But the other BIG con in my book is that it is academic based- like 10 minutes of play and then 15-25 minutes of table work. I just don't feel like it's appropriate at this age (3 1/2), and this is the age when he should be able to play and learn through that. I think this is how a lot of little boys in particular get labeled as ADHD and those labels and experiences can be a rough intro into "school". But this school may be our only option. And I truly feel like at this age he does need to be in some sort if school setting, learning with other kids without me around. So what would you do? Send him to get the social benefits but possibly set us all up for frustration? Or keep him home with me knowing it's not really enough for him?

ariel06

I think it depends on what their table work consists of.  If it's work sheets, skip it.  If it's something more fun and hands on, it might be fine.

penguingrrl

Ugh, that's a tough one. The church thing wouldn't bother me as long as they're not hyper religious in focus. I would not be okay with a preschool that wanted kids to sit and do table work at 3 years old, especially the bulk of the time. That's not age appropriate at all.

I would keep looking and see if you can find a school that's a better fit. If not I guess I would enroll him very part time to get him used to school while continuing to meet other parents and seek out more age appropriate programs. I think this is better than never entering school before K, but barely.

Cherryblossoms07

I would check it out if it is your only option.  Like Ariel mentioned, table work may still be fun based activities, not necessarily worksheets.  

We send our DD to a church based preschool and we are not religious.  DH had a slight problem with it at first, but the only real religious exposure she had was the snack time prayer which wasn't overly religious.  We have been really pleased with our decision and plan on sending DS there as well if we are still in the area when he enters preschool.  

spring_time

I would check it out with an open mind.  Find out what they are doing during table work.  They might just be stations with hands on activities.  If they are doing worksheets for a long period of time, I would skip it.

As for the religious aspect, I don't think it is that big of a deal.  DS's preschool is through a church. They say a simple prayer before meals, the priest comes and reads a story (non-religious) once a month, and they do Easter/Christmas crafts.  As far as I know, they don't even get into the Biblical stories of Easter/Christmas, they just make something like an Easter egg with a cross inside.

lexusolsen

I would check. Dd does "worksheets" once a week when they talk about the letter of the week. It usually involves cutting and pasting the pictures of something that starts with that letter or circling the object. They also color or do specific art projects to fit the letter, number or theme for the week. I think the majority of the time should be play based but I'm not opposed to very small amounts of table work either, depending on what it is.

kcisthebombdotcom

Option C. If this is truly your only preschool option I'd find some more social team activities like soccer to let him work on his social skills and give him ample free play home. Kids make more cognitive and social gains through play, not sitting at a desk doing work.