Pros & cons of preschool

Danielle - posted on 05/25/2010

Try enrolling your child in summer programs, most daycares have Summer camps and even if its only for a few days a week this will help her make friends and get used to being around other children for a majority of her day. Also it will help to lesson the blow on the first day of kindergartin when she will no longer be with grandmom everyday and receiveing 100% of her caretakers attention.

April - posted on 05/25/2010

Learning to interact with peers is a very important lesson to be learned. Public schools do not allow time for these lessons to be learned. I feel that if a child is not enrolled in a preschool or childcare environment, he/she should be encouraged to interact with others his/her age in other ways. This could be as simple as going to the park and encouraging your child to play with others, or joining a play group. This is a time for them to learn (in an unstructured way, ie, not a dance class or sport) sharing, empathy, cooperation, idea sharing, and much more! These are lessons that if not learned at an early age will be harder to learn later on. A preschool and daycare setting has it's own pros and cons. While learning is accomplished, the number of hours also makes a difference. Nothing can replace the love and enrichment that can only come from family. Also in a childcare environment, your child may learn things from other children that you are not prepared to explain. : ) I definetely recommend some sort of child to child interaction though.

Tania - posted on 05/23/2010

I think she is young enough to learn social skills. She will do as all the other kids are doing which is interacting and socialising. I think there is an advantage to getting a child interacting with her peers early, but it is not the end of the world if she hasnt done a lot of that yet.

Carmel - posted on 05/23/2010

Well, my son and daughter are having the same experience. My son is going to Kinder in the fall. As a teacher and social work major. Kids learn first social skills at home. Do you take her out to the mall, store, to eat, do you all just sit down and talk? All these are social skills. Yes, she should and she will learn to interact with kids her age but if you don't have to send her until kinder or 1st grade don't. I wanted to homeschool my children but I can't afford it. There are pros/cons. Grandma is probably teaching her all she needs and more. The only advice I would give is to maybe teach her some school scenarios and procedures (raising her hand, walking in a line, little things like that but she will do fine. If you have some friends find kids her age maybe ask your mother-n-law would she mind taking her to some classes with kids her age in the summer they have lots of programs where kids can stay for 1 hour (museums, library) she will do fine don't worry being home with grandmother will be a lasting experience more than any school could give her. There is lots of time for social interactions.

Letitia - posted on 05/23/2010

Preschools are great assuming you find one that you feel comfortable in. You know your child and your gut reactions. I've been in one daycare and it was absoletely ghetto!!!! They charged for breakfest. I felt uncomfortable no way I was sending my kid there. Ask for numbers for other parents or if you tour the facility ask other parents as they come in. Preschool helps social skills, discipline. Just don't be surprised about the other aspects--getting sick, piicking up other habits you may not like. For the most part, preschool is great, provides structure, interaction, discipline.

Danielle - posted on 05/23/2010

Social skills aside, there are a few other things that may come up when she starts school. For example, has your daughter ever had to stand in line by herself before? I took my 4 year old for a visit to the preschool she is going to attend in September. I noticed that my girl has no idea how to properly stand in line. It may sound kinda un-important, but honestly I think it is something you should work on with your child. Also, go over basic things, like hand-washing, and opening lunch-style foods. Can you open a juice box or a thermos by herself yet? You can work on things like raising your hand to ask a question, and taking turns with toys or whatever. All of these little things are sometimes difficult to prepare for, but since she is just going to be starting school for the first time as a kindergartner, you might not want her to be completely shocked when she finds that school is also about structure and discipline...all THAT aside, as long as your daughter is potty trained and can wipe her own nose, she should be ok. Good luck!

Rosanne - posted on 05/23/2010

As a preschool teacher I have seen the advantages children receive within this type of environment. Social skills being one. They develop confidence, self esteem etc. Choose a pre school wisely though they are not all equal.