The burning question on my mind tonight is this...send Ella to preschool this fall or no? The girl still has two full years yet until she starts kindergarten. Is it necessary to educate your child for the two years preceeding public school? Is it valuable?
I lean against it because it's pricey and because social interaction comes free. No need to pay to make friends when there are plenty running around outside our front door. Also, she already knows her letters, colors, and numbers. I think she's on track for where she needs to be.
I lean towards it because she's smart and it would give her new academic challenges. I'd like to get her used to the dynamics of a classroom. And I'd hate to hold her back from reaching her full potential. Plus, it just looked fun. We dropped by Kinder Kids this week to check out their program and Ella was ready to jump right in and participate. She was confused when we were leaving.
Mommas out there, what do you think? Is preschool your babysitter (which also has value--I'm not gonna lie) or do you feel your child would have been behind in school without it? I'm not interested in EVER homeschooling my kids when there are paid professionals nearby; I'm just wondering, is it necessary at age 3?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Preschool?
Posted by Katie and Bryson at 9:28 PM
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Ooh, I'm the first. Ok, I have never had any kids in preschool, but I have Weston registered for this Fall. I am so excited. He is going to love it. We have very few (NONE) kids in our neighborhood to play with so I am hoping he will learn to make friends that we can then see outside of school. Also, yes, he knows his letters, numbers, colors, sounds of letters, etc. I don't think there is any harm in a kid going to preschool. I did. Finally, the one we are doing is at our local public elementary school, so it's super cheap ($20/month) and only 2 days per week for a few hours. I don't think it's really "school" more like independent play time. Schpiel done.
PS-Totally your call though. My sister does only one year of preschool before kindergarten with her kids. Weston will get 2. I think Ella will be fine either way.
I am in the midst of deciding whether Kallie will go to preschool this year or not. This would be her year before kindergarten and I'm not so sure I believe in the educational value of preschool. We've been working on her letter sounds recently, and I have no doubt she'll be reading before kindergarten. Social isn't an issue, either. I've actually heard a lot of kindergarten teachers have said that learning academics during preschool is pretty much unnecessary, but learning respect for adults, how to follow instructions, etc. is a lot more helpful. I was actually reading comments on a blog about this exact subject the other day. Several parents said they opted for no preschool at all and their kids were never behind in school. I've thought about doing a co-op here using a Joy School type cirruculum, (put together by Richard and Linda Eyre), which is cheaper than preschool, but also requires you to teach every few weeks. Anyway--there are my thoughts. Probably nothing you haven't considered yet, though. :)
I am going through the same thing. Sofia is going to be 4 in November... so old for her grade too. I keep going back and forth. If we do it, we are going to do the student led one at the high school where chris works. Super cheap, laid back, the teacher is great, and the kids love the attention from the high schoolers. I am leaning towards maybe because it is only an hour and a half.. which is not too bad at all.It will also only cost us $80 for the whole year since Chris teachers there. Sweet. I am torn though. I don't think it is academically necessary at all to do 2 years of preschool, but I have a very social girl on my hands who would love it.. so that is what is making me possibly lean towards it.
We are facing this same decision with Ayden. He can start in the Fall but will have two years ahead of him before preschool. I've decided not to put him in for different reasons. First, I know I'm going to put him in when he's four so if I put him in now, basically he'll just be learning the same things twice. And I agree with the whole social interaction. Ayden gets a ton of it without having to be in preschool. I work in a gym daycare once a week and he gets plenty of social interaction there. I realized that once your kids are out in the world away from you earlier and more often, the sooner they start picking up and learning all the crappy stuff out there. I'd rather keep him home and teach him myself until I really do have to send him out there. Hope that helps.
IMO, no. It is not necessary at age 3. Or even age 4 at that matter. Katelyn is in preschool this year, but it is in no way for academic purposes. She needed some social interaction to get her ready for school I think. You're right, it's a lot of money. And if she has a lot of social interaction anyway... for free... why spend the money?
Parents get so hung up on wanting their children to know their letters, and numbers, and how to write their name perfectly, and how to read simple sentences before they start kindergarten. Newsflash: guess what they learn in kindergarten (speaking from the viewpoint of someone who has a B.S. in elementary education, and taught in kindergarten)? If they are TOO ready for school, they will be bored. And when they are bored they quickly become a behavior problem.
But, if you want her to meet some new friends, and do the occasional cool art project... Go for it!
oh, and I'd highly recommend Bloomington Preschool. It's kind of ghetto (in that it's in a lady's basement) but she's been doing it for over 30 years, and has a really nice set up. She has a 3 year old and 4 year old class. I know she's having registration about now, and I could probably get you a form if you'd like. This year, the tuition is $80 a month (for 2 days a week). If you pick up on time you get $5 off tuition, and if you help out in the classroom once during the month, you can deduct $14 more (meaning tuition can be as low as $60 a month if you play your cards right). Her school is on Swapp drive in Bloomington (so it's close to you). I could give you her address if you'd like to drop by sometime next week while school was in session. I know she wouldn't mind you stopping in and checking the place out. Morning preschool is from 9am to 11:20am. Katelyn goes on Mondays and Wednesdays.
I don't think it's necessary but could be enjoyable for her. I tried Emily Lara in preschool that early simply because it was free in England and she was miserable. A year later we tried again and she loved it. It was exactly what she needed to be socially ready to start kindergarten the next year. I am so glad we did preschool! I also enjoyed having those hours twice a week to do my own, child-free things. Good times! If I were you and she wasn't really chomping at the bit as far as the school experience is concerned I would probably just make an extra effort to have structured activities once or twice a week and skip the preschool thing this year. The folks who did Joy School last year here in Hidden Valley seemed to have a good time with it. That could be another option.
I'd say it's not necessary for Ella. The REAL question is: is it necessary for you to maintain your sanity? She's perfectly on track for her age, and Amy's right - they learn all the good stuff in Kindergarten. She could be bored if put in too early. The largest thing I feel to gain from pre-k this early is a knowledge of how to behave well in structured environments.
Another point no one's mentioned: Ella will be getting structured learning environments at church as well. From reading what you said and what everyone else said, I think your main benefits are that it's going to be fun for her and you'll have a little time for just you and Avery. You could also consider a dance class or something else (whatever Ella's interests are) so that she's still getting a lot of those benefits but isn't duplicating what she's already learned or will be learning in Kindergarten. Seeing as I haven't gotten to this point in my parenting, I have no idea about costs for that kind of thing or for preschool, but it's just a thought.
In my experience from teaching at a preschool, I think that it's perfect for a 4 year old. I think that 2 days is great and depending on your child's needs 3 days can work too! It is expensive but I think the benefits are more positive. I do have Tyler enrolled for a 3 day program. I think a great start with school is the best for every child and will help motivate them and teach them to love learning. It isn't "only preschool," it is the start of their education. Yes the structured part is definitely the best - take Ty for example. He needs to learn to be away from his Mom!
We are debating this same thing with Landon. We went to pick his friend up from preschool once and he has been begging to go back. He asks me every day when he can go to school. We have been doing fun "school" activities at home but I think preschool just provides a more structured group environment where he would have to learn how to work with others and cooperate. Do I think it is academically or socially necessary? No. I do think he would enjoy it and learn valuable skills from it and that is why I will probably have him go. If cost is an issue I would look into doing a co-op such as Joy School. It costs alot less, takes a little more of your time but I think Ella would essentially learn the same things. Good luck!
just put it in couponing terms...if you put Ella in school, that's just that much less $$ you'll be able to spend on great sales :) (just kidding, of course!)
I haven't put either of my kids in and they have done fine in school. I am kind of selfish with my kids time though, I hate it when they are away! Good Luck! I am sure you will be happy with whatever you decide.
Charity and Felicity have both attended preschool and loved it. I didn't do it just for learning. I did it for some good, structured fun. It gives me a break that I don't feel bad about. They aren't with some young babysitter for a couple of hours. They are getting great instruction and having some great playtime with friends while I can enjoy some one on one time with my son and husband who are st home with me.
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