Pre-school or no pre-school for a 3 year old?!!

Samantha - posted on 03/09/2012

I sent my daughter to preschool at 3 and am sending my next one to school next year when she is 3. We don't go the whole week. My oldest went 2 days a week 9 - 1. The second one is going 3 days 9-2. The oldest loves it. She gets so excited to go and I still get to spend time with her during the week. She has learned how a classroom works in a fun environment and she has made many friends. They do many fun activities and offer lots of ways that parents can be involved. I don't look at it as missing a part of her life, but enhancing her life in a wonderful way.

Kaitlin - posted on 03/01/2012

Pre school for 3 year olds isn't really school- it's play time. Most programs are 2 or 3 days a week for 2-3 hours. It's not like he would be gone for a very long time. I am looking forward to starting my 3 year old in school- he loves to play with other kids. But if you or your son isn't ready, plenty of kids are just fine starting at 4 years. It's really up to you.

In the meantime, I would try to find some play groups for him to up the social skills- libraries have 1-2 and 2-3 year old programs usually. There are MOMS groups in most areas once or twice a month. There are plenty of ways for you AND your son to get out and meet some new friends. Enjoy!

Jessica - posted on 02/29/2012

My daughter goes pre-school all day! i work 5 days week. she loves it. the pre-school has helped her ply with other kids. she learned all shapes and colors and nubers!

Kacy - posted on 11/12/2011

you have to put hair spray and/or hair gel in there hair. i have my son in preschool he has became more social he is always attached to me and taking him to pre school has helped alot.

Bridget - posted on 11/12/2011

I think preschool is great! I am a stay at home mom to a 5 year old, a four year old, and a two year old. Preschool really gets them ready for kindergarten by being around other kids and teaching them basics like colors and shapes etc. I did alot of that at home with mine but i think it's still good for them to get into a school environment so kindergarten isn't such a shock for them. Plus it will make seperating from you alittle easier when they do need to go to school. My daughter started preschool when she was 3 due to her having some developmental delays and my other daughter started at four and they both loved it. So you could always keep her home till shes four if your feeling uneasy about sending her now.

Toni - posted on 11/12/2011

It is a personal decision. I did put my oldest in preschool only because he missed the kindergarten cut off but a few weeks...but I do not feel like he learned any more there then what I had already taught him. I feel it is a good option for children that need the social interaction or the extra attention to begin their basic skills. If there is no concern in those areas then I don't see a need. Kids do love being around other children, but he has a sibling and you can make play dates on your days off or take him to places that are kid friendly so he can explore. It doesn't hurt or help to any extreme so it is really whatever you feel comfortable with.

Ashley - posted on 11/11/2011

I am in kind of the same boat... sort of. My daughter is three, and I stayed home with her the first two years, and now she goes to a friend of mine during the day while I am at work. She is very smart, talks well, but I think I will start her in preschool when she turns 4, so she has a year of preschool before kindergarten. I think preschool is more of showing your kids how to sit still in class and how to work as a group... and it might be beneficial, but I don't see a reason for a little kid to have more than one year of preschool!

Lauren - posted on 11/11/2011

My son is 2 right now and I'm in the same boat. I also have a 4 year old son in preschool. I'm looking at it this way, as I am also a stay at home mom. My son is attached to me and isn't around anyone but his big brother. His social skills with his brother is "if I don't get what I want I'm going to hit you or bite you. I'm working on that, and since he won't be 3 until May, I have time to get him to quit. Plus the school doesn't begin until September. My 4 year old loves it, and when he's had bouts where family can come in, my 2 year old loves it as long as he knows I'm not going anywhere. It is me as the parent that knows I won't be able to sit down and teach him how to write his name and things like that because he doesn't have the patients at 2 to sit down and listen to me read a story or even color a wole page out of a coloring book. Therefore, he needs it. Why keep him out until he's 5 or 6 to go to kindergarten? Isn't that like putting a fish in a shark tank? I'm not saying this about your child because I don't know you personally, but I do know some parents don't or can't sit down with their children and get them to write their name and alphabet, but if your child can, then it's possible that you can wait until kindergarten. I just know with my 2 (almost 3) year old refuses to sit down with me to even try to do things. Good luck with your decision. Hope it works out. Another thing is if they are attached to you, they may be very scared to leave you. Mine finally got over it, but it took a week.

Rayana - posted on 11/11/2011

my son jus turnd 2 oct.7 and i am planning on putting him in pre-k when he turns 3.. i feel like it is very good for them to be around kids ther own age.. they learn so many thngs.. they learn how to interact wit others. i feel like that is a good thng for them.. i have heard when children go to pre-k that they become very smart! not sure but thats what ive heard :)

Paula - posted on 11/11/2011

I have a 4 years old boy and he has been on pre-school since 3, just in the mornings, I think he has enjoyed A LOT this time, this is more like interact with other kids and learn than studying like in school...

Nina - posted on 07/21/2011

I'm right where you are. My daughter doesn't really hve any other friends except for her cousins. And they don't see each other on a regular basis. I think it would be good for social interaction, but you could take them to a park or have play dates with other parents.

Jessi - posted on 07/12/2011

i definitely have the same concern, i am a stay at home mom and work part time as a nanny and bring my son along with me. i have chosen not to put my child in daycare, a decision i do not regret! but my son just turned 3 also and i will be registering him in preschool this year. im not thrilled with the idea, like you said, there never seems to be enough time with our little ones!! but... as far as my son is concerned, it would be very beneficial for him. i take him to as many activities with other kids that i can find, and i feel that he is ready for it. if you're not sure, dont make a decision you're not comfortable with! luckily, chances are that if you find a preschool it will only be a couple days per week, for a few hours at a time. :) its a good way to prepare for kindergarten too since depending on the town, it could be a full day

Nichola - posted on 04/23/2009

i am 22 with a 13 month old and one on the way, i work as a nursery nurse in a private day nursery and i wernt sure bout putting my baby girl in but ive worked with children put in nursery at all ages, and i think the earlier the better, even if just one or two days a week because it really does prepare them for school, and the staff work with your child to encourage lots of things, even i dont remember to do at home. as little ones they get used to being there, interacting, learning, playing and having fun, but ive found the older you put a child in, they usually iscolate themselves alittle. not always of couse. it depends on their personality.

if your at work anyway its not as though you are throwing them into nursery to get away from them.

if you do decide to put them in, please note it can take a few months for them to enjoy nursery, they dont all take to it straight away. all individuals are different xxx

April - posted on 04/22/2009

My oldest dayghter didn't go to pre-school she went straight to kindergarten, and in the area I lived in at the time was all day. It was a huge adjustment comparied to my other daughter. I put her in preschool when she was 3 and she is in kindergarten this year also full day and I can't believe the differences between the two of them. They are only 2.5 years apart but in complete different worlds at specific age developments. My only regret is that my oldest daughter didn't go. she is in second grade and finally developing the communication skills my younger daughter has. Even if it is only 2 days a wee, and maybe your church offers it so you can feel more comfortable. My daughter went to pre school at our church and my sisters girls go to pre school at their church. Good luck with deciding their is no right or wrong answer you know your kids best.

Maria - posted on 04/22/2009

my son started an early childhood program which is early preschool and i loved it i was so proud that my 3 year old son was able to write his name and learning a lot. i think a head start in school wouldn't hurt.

Emily - posted on 04/22/2009

I dont think they need it but some kids really like preschool! My oldest was 3.5 when she started and she loved it.

Chrystina - posted on 04/22/2009

I personally homeschool my kids so I do not have the problem of sending them away from me for schooling. But I would say that they are never too young to learn. My eldest was saying her alphabet and counting to ten by age 1 and reading 1st grade level by 5. I would say that even if you don't send them to school right now you could start the basics at home.

Tanya - posted on 04/22/2009

I just tried putting my 2 kids in school since they have been home with grandparents since 6 weeks of age, being used to that, my 3 year old(2 months from being 3) did not adjust, he hated it, so I ended up taking him out for now and stay with grandma until he's a year from starting school then I might try it again. I say enjoy the time home with them while you have it, like you said they'll be in school for 12 years! I wish I could be at home with mine but I have to work all week. =(

Melissa - posted on 04/22/2009

my first 3 kid did not go to preschool and turned out fine ... but this time my 2 yr old that is turning 3 is going all day for help with her disabilitys and since i have the baby at home it itsn't that hard i will have 4 going to school in the fall

Jamie - posted on 04/21/2009

I say do it, more or less to expose him to the germs hes going to encounter in kindergarten. Most kids who stay at home iwth mom and dad before kindergarten tend to be a lot sicker in kindergarten due to not being exposed to other kids and their germs. Plus it will help him get used to being taken care of by another adult during the day and kindergarten wont be sucha drama with you leaving him, and it will be less traumatic for you.

Heather - posted on 04/21/2009

I feel that preschool is a good way for him to learn things a different way than you may teach him while you are at home. Not only is it good for him to be around the other kids like you said, but other adults as well. He might pick up on things faster like counting and alphabets, and things like that if he had someone else teaching him a different way.

Antonia - posted on 04/21/2009

What is the diffence between preschool and kindy??

I think that some form of interaction with others is very beneficial for children even if it is just once a week. Children learn alot being in kindy, preschool, daycare or whatever you want to call it. Not only do they learn social skills amongst peers, but they learn to get along with their teachers too and they are able to also see how other families interact with each other. They experience new situations and become more able to define their own beliefs and feelings rather than just following what their own family does. And most kids have lots of fun too :)

Leah - posted on 04/21/2009

I love daycare! My son has a great time and has really learned to get along well with other kids. He has been in since 9 mos, you just have to just the right one