Toured a private preschool today and OMG....

Makinroom4baby · March 2011

I couldn't believe the curriculum they had for 3 and 4 year olds. First of all, the school goes from pre K-3 through 8th grade and when my DH and I walked in at 9:15 this morning, we barely heard a pin drop (and there were classes walking through the hall), the kids were SO QUIET! We sat in the office with the director and she started telling us about how structured the 3 and 4 yr old classes are. The is NO circle time. NO centers. Every thing is done sitting in their desk. The only playtime they get is outside twice a day. No nap time either! It's VERY structured. I asked her about an adjustment period b/c 3 yr olds are either coming from staying at home with mom and dad or from a daycare which is definitely not that structured. She told me they give the kids 2 weeks (if that) and if the child doesn't seem mature enough to handle the structure, then they let the parents know that the school is not a good fit. We walked through and looked in on some of the 4 yr old classes b/c our son would be entering preK in August. I was very impressed that the entire 4 yr old class was READING words off the chalkboard and counting in unison. However, they all looked like little soldiers and that made my heart break a bit

Don't get me wrong, I was very impressed by the discipline they instilled in these kids at such an early age, but at the same time I feel that at ages 3 and 4, learning should be fun. This was more like boot camp. It sucks too b/c they have the very best tuition rates in the city.

Angiesmommy · March 2011

This reminds me of a news article another Bumpie posted about earlier.

I also believe learning should be fun. I don't want my child to be a kid at a desk. I want her engaged, discovering and socializing.

omurray · March 2011

Wow, that is wild. I'm all for academics, but there are so many ways to keep it fun. And, I don't think its healthy to keep 4 yr olds sitting in their chairs all day. I'm kinda suprised that kind of pre-k even exists.

jlw2505 · March 2011

Wow, in a million years I would never send my kids to a school like that.

m_and_m · March 2011

I used to think places like that were awesome (pre-kids), but now they give me nightmares.

JOEBunny · March 2011

That would scare the pants off me. There is significant evidence that type of education is really not a good thing for little ones long term. I would be really curious what methods they use to get them to sit like that. It just doesn't sound like any method of preschool education that I have read about as being effective, in fact, it sounds the opposite.

April37 · March 2011

Wow, I would never send my daughter to a place like that. I can't even imagine 3 and 4 years olds sitting behind desks, it's sad really. Don't they have kindergarden - 12th grade for that? I think kids learn best by exploring. Don't get me wrong, they need structure and rules but, gosh, that school just seems extreme.

MaddysMama07 · March 2011

Kids have plenty of time to sit at desks and do work. Preschool should not be about that! At that age kids learn through play. I would never send my kid to a preschool that structured. I want her to know that learning is fun not that she is expected to sit at a desk and do schoolwork at 3 years old.

brightning · March 2011

Run! Run away! There are a million better ways to teach self control than breaking the creative, playful, silly, loud, messy, nonconforming spirits of preschoolers.

Jinsy80 · March 2011

Sounds horrible to me! Poor kids...

bim38106 · March 2011

yikes. That makes me sad for those kids

The most important thing at this age is learning how to play (imaginary/pretend, with others, creativity, etc..) and interact with others. Studies show that kids in play-based preschools tend to do better academically and go on to get higher degrees. I would be running in the opposite direction from that school!

Makinroom4baby · March 2011

JOEBunny:
That would scare the pants off me. I would be really curious what methods they use to get them to sit like that.

Well, there's a similar private school that actually says on the website that they believe in corporal punishment (I kid you not) and that they will not accept any child under the influence of any drugs, including Ritalin or other drugs used to treat ADHD. I immediately scratched them off the list. This school didn't display that information on their site, nor did I see it in the packet she gave me (but I refused the registration form so it could be on there) but after seeing how those kids are all like little soldiers, I wouldn't be surprised if they were paddling kids

My husband is a military brat and retired military so of course he liked the school. He felt that eventually, Jayden needs that structure and I do agree but when I pointed out that there were ZERO toys or even imaginary play items anywhere in those classes, it hit him. I am still floored...

franciscaz · March 2011

To me that sounds so wrong. I love Harm's pre-k. He has so much fun and he is still learning (he can spell his name even). He just loves it. This week is spring break and he is climbing the walls. I couldn't imagine a quiet pre-k. There is time for that in the future!

luvmagoldn · March 2011

jlw2505:
Wow, in a million years I would never send my kids to a school like that.

This.

Makinroom4baby · March 2011

It's still bugging me today! I feel like that school should be shut down, but I know some parents may prefer this type of school. I mean there were several students in attendance! Another private school we toured right after that and it showed how they have religion class after chapel. In chapel they read a short story and then in religion class they are actually PLAYING with the figures and other things related to the story, thus learning (hands on) about the story they just read. Learning can be fun.

tammy79 · March 2011

Nia I cannot believe how big your little guy is getting. And just say no to that school, eek.

jason&robin · March 2011

I am a big fan of learning through play and exploration. DS has been in preschool for about a year now(he's 3.5) and he has learned so much...and probably has no idea that he has "learned" it. He goes and plays with his friends and has a great time and absorbs so much. I could never send my kids to a school like the one you mentioned. I think they would burn out of school in no time.

marriedchick06 · March 2011

That is crazy. 3 and 4 yo need to be socializing not sitting at a desk doing work.

fIowerchild · March 2011

Makinroom4baby:
I pointed out that there were ZERO toys or even imaginary play items anywhere in those classes, it hit him. I am still floored...

Woah....that's pretty hard core. I wonder what type of adult sends their kids to a place like that.

GeorgeAndWeezy · March 2011

Sounds like a nightmare and a great way to kill any enthusiasm for learning. Wouldn't send my kids to a place like that.

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