I have to decide now whether to sign up for preschool in the fall when my son will be 18 months old. I have a choice of dropoff 2, 3, 5 or days/week or to parent/toddler classes and wait until next year. I'm torn because I don't know whether my child will be ready/benefit from dropoff at only 18 months? But if I wait until the next year he'll already be 2.5 which feels too late?
(I'm primarily concerned about socialization)
Maybe try to find some park district classes (mom-and-me and drop-off) instead of a pre-school program. I think even 2.5 is too young. Three is a good age. They'll be in school forever once they start. Now's the time you can hang out with him and have fun!
She is REAL young for "preschool."
At this age, its more like Daycare... toddler care. Not "school."
She's only a baby.
2.5 years old is NOT 'old' for preschool... nor too late.
At this age anyway, they don't "play" interactively with people... they "parallel play." Look it up online.
18 months is WAY to young to be spearated from mama, especially if he doesn't absolutely have to be. Wait, wait , wait, as long as you can.
Weather or not a child has preschool makes no difference on weather your child will excel accademically in school. No child will learn a concept any earlier than what the brain is already prewired to do. Just as your child wouldn't be able to run at 6 months old.
Trying to push educational concepts before the brain is ready is one of the reasons kids get fustrated with themselves and put up future mental blocks. Just as we wouldnt expect a 6 month old to run because their brain/body is not ready, so it is with other learning too.
I venture to say that young children who are well bred, engaged and disciplined- by the parent in a home atmosphere, fare better overall and certainly on social skills than those who are put into the pack .
Why does 2 1/2 feel too late? Most preschools I know require that a child be at least 3 and potty-trained. I feel that any drop-off facility for children younger than that is basically just someone else watching your child. If you can do it yourself, why wouldn't you? If it were me, I would do the parent/toddler classes. That way he gets socialization with other children while still having the security of being with mama. He has the rest of his life to be in school, away from you, around children you don't know and whose parents you don't know. Cherish this time with him. It goes so fast, and it never comes back.
2.5 is not too late. My son started nursery school at 3 where the entrance requirement was "3 and potty trained." What's the rush?
The best age to enter preschool is age 3. Preschool is not day care and is designed to have specific programs to help your child learn both socialization skill and learn concepts like numbers, letters, up/down, etc. In my opinion, 18 months is way too young. Also, most preschool programs will not accept the child if they are not potty trained. However, I do think both you and your child will benefit from parent/toddler classes.
what are YOU ready for? There is no need to push your child. I held my kids until they were 3 and 4, but if you feel like you need that time then it is a reasonable reason to send your son.
I agree - don't rush if you don't have to. I'd wait if it's an option.
Everyone is different but my son is 28 months old now and I've decided to wait on preschool for one more year. He will attend preschool for 2 years prior to entering kindergarten and I think that is enough. My older 2 children also attended part time preschool for 2 years prior to kindergarten and are fine. We have playgroups twice a week and go to parks, children's museums, etc so that he can be around other children.
Good luck,
K.
I don't have a choice so my daughter has been in daycare ever since.
If I had had a choice I would have gone parent/toddler classes and preschool after/around 2 years of age. My daughter has been used to being with peers, but has not really started to interact until she turned 2. Before that it is mostly parallel play.
Good luck!
At this age you are your childs best teacher. All he really needs right now is to be loved and cared for. Talk to him tell him what you are doing, let him help you with household tasks. Prechool is to help your child prepare for real school. As a former preschool teacher I think that as long as you have a well socialized child who can follow simple directions only one year of preschool is needed!
Hi Y.,
In my opinion..he is too little.....Socialization? there are PLENTY of ways to have your little baby socializing. Talk to him a lot, play with him and take him with you to playgroups or playdates. I think the last one may be more suitable for younger children. You can go with a neighbor and the kids to a playground, to the park, to the pool (indoor or outdoor), share time in your place or another's.
Kids will have to adapt at ANY age to be independent and far from mom, but it's not necessary to bring that so early in their lives unless it is absolutely necessary. Y....kids....our little ones grow up SO FAST! find ways to help him to acquire the social skills necessary with the "tools" yo have now. Socialization and socializing....it is everywhere!!!Enjoy him!!!
Good Luck
Alejandra
my son started his current program when he was 18months old(back in september)
there was a separation process as there is with ANY age when you start school, but it has gone well and he loves it. Its only 2 days week for a few hours, but it gets him in a different environment with different kids.
we go to mom/me classes as well, but i like the idea that he has something to do without me hanging over him.
DO what u think is right for you child, if you think he will like it go, you can always pull him out if it dosent work out!
My daughter is 18 months and we would LOVE for her to start school. To be around other children in a classroom environment, learning to share the spotlight and just learning to share period are my main concerns for her. Alot of schools even potty train your child for you...even more appealing!!! But the costs are a little much for us right now. If you can afford it, I think it would be very beneficial for your child and it will give you some time to get other things done - even two days a week will help get alot of thing done! Will you be 'locked' in to a contract or some sort? If not, you can always test it out...see whether she likes/benefits from it full-time and if not, pull her out a couple days.
When the kids are that little, "preschool" is more like MDO. Sure, they do crafts and have a schedule, but really it just gets them into the mode of "not with mommy" time. Honestly, if I had the money, I would have totally done the 2 or 3 day program for my kids. I'd hold off on the 5 day unless you want to start back at work, or really can just afford to pay someone to babysit for that long every week. If you can, good for you! He will only benefit from the time. And so will you.
I think the parent/toddler classes is great for his age. Or even a playdate or that you could do once a week. One or 2 days a week is probably plenty right now. They have something called Gymboree around us that is good for that. Or, they have soccer with parent involvement that I put my kids in at that age as well.
I own a preschool and I can tell you 3 is the ideal age if you are looking to enroll your child for socialization. Children under that age parallel play and really do not show interest in their peers at 18 months. If you do not need childcare then there are plenty of other things you can do to socialize your child. Mommy and me classes, little gym, etc. are all great ways for your child to interact with other children.
I did dropoff 2 days per week with my son in a Mom's Day Out program this year and he is doing great! He is now 21 months old (started when he was 15 months) and he is talking a ton because he is around other kids who are also learning to talk. It gives me a break and gives him some playtime with other kids. I think it's great! My daughter is in preschool at the same school, so they both go on Tuesday and Thursday from 9am-2pm. I don't think 18 months is too young. My daughter started at around 15 months also and they both loved being around the other kids. Best of luck!
I would suggest looking into parent/child (parent participation) preschools as you will be with your child most of the time (some of these programs are Parent Education programs so you may have a little time away from your child while you get your Parent Ed session). Your son will get the socialization and not have to wait till he's two-and-a-half. Some of these parent participation programs enroll students throughout the year, so you don't have to wait till fall to start. If Sunnyvale is convenient to you, you can look into Bright Beginnings Preschool. Santa Clara has Wilson Preschool and I think Mountain View has programs too, though I am not as familiar with their programs. Good luck.
