Preschool at age 2? Yay or Nay?

Bride2b2004 · March 2012

Just found out DS1's church preschool will start offering a class two days a week from 9-12 in the fall for 2 year olds incorporating playtime, crafts, storytime and singing. I am a little tempted to send DS2, but I am on the fence since he will be so young. WDYT?

GinandTonic · March 2012

I didn't look in your ticker, but how "old" a two will he be?

DD turned two in December and the following fall, I put her in a once a week, half day two's Mommy and Me class. She loved it, but she was 2 and 9 months when it started and one of the oldest in the class. It was just like her current 3's class, but the mom's were there to help facilitate - they did free play, circle time, a craft, a snack, and some outside play.

I do have to say that the younger two's didn't get as much out of it - lots of tantrums, not quite "getting" it, etc. My son's birthday is in August and I don't think it would have worked for him.

So my answer is that it totally depends on when his birthday is...

surprise3rd · March 2012

DD was 2 in March and I enrolled her in a Montessori program starting the following september so she was 2.5 two mornings a week. She loved it and I loved the break:) I say go for it, and if it isn't working you can always stop going.

Bride2b2004 · March 2012

His birthday is in May, so he would be younger.

birdnkaz · March 2012

My DDs started preschool (9-noon, 3 days a week) when they were 2.5 years old. They loved it! Both had some separation issues but that's very normal. I credit their preschool teachers for getting them potty trained! Mostly I just like that they were able to socialize with other kids their age and be away from me for awhile. It was a very easy transition for my younger DD since she had been to the preschool so many times with me to pick up DD#1. I say go for it!

LoveTX · March 2012

My twins went at that age and they loved it and it gave me a wonderful break!

Zenya · March 2012

That would be too young for my comfort level.

beachgirl1977 · March 2012

My son turns 2 at the beginning of july and will start 2 hours one day a week in October. My oldest son started dc at 9 mo and got so much out of it. now he was full day 5 days a week which I dont need now that I'm home, but I thought my younger would benefit from having getting used ot being around other adults. I don;t really consider i t"preschool" more a MDO

Glendi428 · March 2012

I think this is totally kid-dependent... for DD#2, no way, but for DD#1, absolutely. I put her in a MDO-type program two morning a week a month after her second birthday, and she hasn't looked back. It felt kind of funny to bring my 2-year-old to "preschool" when I was home full time, but I'm a firm believer in following my child's lead when it comes to stuff like this... in her case, she was simply ready, even though I wasn't (quite)!

Mrs Manners · March 2012

Ds went to a MMO program at a church for those same time periods starting when he was 18 months. He loved it and it was great for socialization. We had a full time nanny (who actually had to take and pick him up) so we didn't need the childcare aspect. We did it because he seemed ready to be around more kids and have new experiences.

Bride2b2004 · March 2012

Thanks for your thoughts.

Mrs Manners:
Ds went to a MMO program at a church for those same time periods starting when he was 18 months. He loved it and it was great for socialization. We had a full time nanny (who actually had to take and pick him up) so we didn't need the childcare aspect. We did it because he seemed ready to be around more kids and have new experiences.

Yeah, I am a SAHM, so I would be doing it for the socialization (there will be a total of 8 kids in the "class") and new experiences too. I know the teachers and really like the school and I think DS2 would love it... but he will still be so little... not sure I am comfortable. But he LOVES singing and stories and I think he would really enjoy it.. I'm torn. He will definitely be going there 3 days a week when he is 3 (from 9-12), but IDK about this year.

JenniC1135 · March 2012

The preschool my kids go / went to offers a 9-11, 1 or 2 day a week 2 yr old program. My twins went one day a week at 2y3m because I had a 6 month old at home and otherwise never would have had a chance to be with him one on one. And, it guaranteed us early registration for the 3 yr old program, which was nice - not having to worry if the class we wanted would be full before we had a chance to register. My youngest went at 2y6m because I felt like he needed to spend some time with other 2 year olds. Being so close in age to the twins, he just didn't socialize much with kids his own age because all our playdates were with their friends. I think it was a good experience and would do it again.

thumper57 · March 2012

DD started a montesorri program at 18 months and she is almost 2 now. She loves it She listens and follows instructions well and has great table manners, and I am sure her routines at school helped alot.

susan1017 · March 2012

DD was very interested in numbers, letters and colors at 2 and knew most of them going into her 2s program. I think for her it was worth it and she was mature enough to handle 'academics' (as most of the programs in my area are). Now with DS, I can't imagine him in the same program. He is a great kid but much more on target for age then DD who was obscenely advanced (now in K she is evened out some but still ahead). Also, he is 2 in July so I think it is way too early to consider. I will continue with Mommy and Me with him and maybe in January nesxt year I might add him 1/2 way through the year if he seems ready.

I agree it totally depends on the age of the child, chronological or cognitive.

jlw2505 · March 2012

I am all for preschool or daycare of some sort as I think its so great for kids to be around other kids and away from mom (or primary caretaker) for a bit - everyone can benefit - mom gets a break for a few hours and kid gets to make friends and learn how to act in a social setting, etc. My kids have always been in daycare/preschool full time but I have some SAHM friends who started part time preschool at age 2 and it showed in the kids - the shy ones came out of their shells some and the really roudy ones seemed to do better when we would get together. Even my friends who worked but used home daycares all switched to a preschool or daycare center at around age 2.

Angela814 · March 2012

DD2 (20 months) is in daycare 2 days/week now while I'm looking for work. She typically goes from 9am-4:30pm those days. She had just started at a new daycare, and I got laid off the next day. I thought it would be easier for her to transition back to daycare if we kept her in at least part time. Plus I now have an opportunity to look for jobs, schedule interviews, etc. She was 18 months when she started there. It took her about 2 weeks to adjust. She absolutely loves it now. We walk in, she goes to join the other kids, and that's it. She'll lean her cheek into me if I ask for a kiss goodbye, and she'll give me a dismissive wave as I leave. She's in a small daycare center in a local church. Unfortunately, they don't offer a part time preschool program. I would love to be able to do 2-3 days/week from 9-12 or something like that. Honestly, she loves going. I would send him.

luvmygirls22 · March 2012

FWIW, we put DD in preschool at 2.5 and I was thinking that was a bit early but it was great. It was the right thing for her and now it has paid off and it shows. She LOVES it there and is learning so much! Each child is different. Only you know if your son will thrive in that environment at this age. I say its never too early to socialize your children

MNgirl326 · March 2012

If all the other kids are the same age, 2, I see no issues with it.

But then again, LO has been in a daycare center since he was 12 weeks old....

lsufan · March 2012

As long as you can afford it, I really don't see why you wouldn't do it. My older two started a few months before they turned 2. They loved it, I loved it, and I really can't think of a single negative. My youngest has a May birthday, and we could have sent him at 15 months, but I didn't want to pay for 3 preschool tuitions at the same time. He started a few months after he turned 2, and I still feel like I cheated him out of a year of preschool. He was so ready to go when we finally sent him.

Want a personalized experience?

Preschool at age 2? Yay or Nay?

Re: Preschool at age 2? Yay or Nay?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards