- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Cincinnati Babies
adamsbabble
member
Anyone NOT start DC in preschool at 3?
adamsbabble
member
The school that Ava will go to for K-12 is a private school and they have a preschool program that starts at age 4 so it makes sense to me to enroll her in that program when the time comes. But what about next year? I know that a lot of people choose to start their DC in a preschool program at age 3, but did anyone NOT feel the need to start DC then?
I've looked into some programs and need to make a decision soon about registering. I'm leaning toward not sending her until she is 4, and maybe I just need to hear that that is okay and hear from other parents who waited. I sort of feel like once she is 4 and in preschool, and then in full-time kindergarten the following year, she is going to be in school for a loooong time, so what's the rush? Why not just savor one more year of having her at home with me? I feel like she is learning plenty. We work on everything with her, granted not in a structured setting, but by looking for teachable moments through play and living everyday life. Academically she is perfectly on track. She also goes to my mom's house usually one day per week, and my mom does in home daycare. She goes to the church daycare, we do all kinds of outings where she is around other kids, etc. We are definitely giving her the opportunity to play and socialize with other kids. I also think we may start her in dance or gymnastics next year, or maybe even some other classes. Really the only benefit I see to preschool, since she is learning plenty without it, is the structure that will prepare her for full-time kindergarten--but we plan to do the 4 year old preschool program before then and that program is 2-3 days per week. I feel like that is enough.
Ava Caroline 8.27.07 I Charlotte Grace 5.18.09 I Lila Katherine 1.20.11
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Anyone NOT start DC in preschool at 3?
If I were in your position, I would keep her out another year.
With me working full time, I feel DS would get more from preschool at 3 than staying at the home sitters another year.
Rylee was SUPER attached too! I mean, there would have been some SERIOUS tears if I tried to send her at age 3. Now, I am no doubt that she will be fine starting at age 4
Rylee was SUPER attached too! I mean, there would have been some SERIOUS tears if I tried to send her at age 3. Now, I am no doubt that she will be fine starting at age 4
Thanks everyone for your responses!
And Tosha you just reminded me that our gym has a class that she can do a once a week class when she is 3. Maybe we will do that since it is the same place she'd be taking gymnastics if we decide to do that.
I'm not sure if I should answer this since I'm pretty sure you mainly want opinions from people who aren't/haven't sent their kids at age 3, and reassurance that it's the right thing to do..but here goes:
We are sending Piper at age 3 (2 mornings/week). IMO all the playdates and learning stuff at home with Mom in the world can't replace the socialization and structure that a good preschool provides (I don't really care about the educational stuff, they'll learn that one way or another). I've seen a big difference in Piper since she stopped going to daycare and it's not necessarily for the best. (I'm not saying that kids who've never gone to daycare are worse off, just that the difference is striking to me.) Plus - especially with another kid at home - I just don't have the time and/or resources to provide all the kinds of fun activities, art projects, and other stuff that she'll be doing at preschool. It's only going to be about 4 hours a week - it will be a nice break for both of us, and while I bet there may be tears the first day or two, I don't think that's a reason not to send her. We tried the dance class thing and me watching from the lobby totally didn't work - all she did was want to run out and see me. I think it will be better for her that I'm not right there in the next room.
You guys would probably shudder - I have a friend who has a 2 year old she's sending to PT preschool in the fall. She's never been to any kind of daycare and only has her grandparents ocassionaly babysit for her, and she's extremely attached to Mom. They also have a new baby and Mom is looking forward to the break. I don't think this is terrible, I think it will be great for this little girl!
All that said - do I think kids who don't go to pre-school at age 3 will be irrevocably worse off? No, of course not. All I'm saying is that IMO age 3 is a good age for a kid to start getting used to being away from Mom & Dad for a few hours a week, and learning to have fun without them there. The preschools we're looking at have waiting lists and oodles of people trying to register their 3 year olds, so obviously many people agree with me. The programs exist for a reason (and I'm guessing it's not for working parents when they're only for 2-8 hours/week.)
Alison of course you can answer!
I have taken into consideration all of the same things you have mentioned, and I completely agree that she needs the structure, which she will get... but she'll get it at 4 instead of 3. I understand that a lot of great schools choose to start their preschool programs at age 3 and there are long waiting lists for these programs, etc. etc... but at the same time there are a lot of great schools (like the one she'll go to for K-12) that have preschool programs that don't start until 4 so obviously people in the education business feel that that works too. I don't think I've seen any conclusive studies that 3 or 4 is a better age to start.
I'd actually probably be more inclined to send Ava off to preschool at 3 if I thought she really needed to work on seperation issues, but we really don't have that problem with her. She runs into her Sunday school class, the classes at our gym (which is more like a family place with programs for kids, a waterpark, etc. it's not just a regular gym daycare), my mom's house (where she does in home daycare and is around other kids), etc. She is attached to us in a way that I think is normal and healthy, but is also secure enough to let go. I think a big part of it is her personality. She is a social butterfly, and does great in social situations (as long as she's had a good nap).
Like I said, I'd never send her off to Kindergarten without some sort of preschool that gives her a structured environment, but I'm just not convinced that it needs to start at 3 vs. 4. Once she starts school, she'll be there for along time, so I'm just not in a rush, especially since I don't feel she is falling behind in any way.
Overall I don't think there is a drastic overall difference between starting school at 3 or 4, or skipping preschool altogether. Honestly the smartest and most socially mature children I know are two little girls (they are middle school age now) who have been home schooled their entire lives, but their mom did it right. They've been given plenty of opportunity outside of their classroom time at home, not sheltered the way some home schooled children are. I think there is a lot more to it than just the right program and when you start, because some children will flourish in ANY program or situation.