I am undecided and need advice for my son who turns 3 in October...My older daughter currently attends a program at a preschool that has everything - music class, computer small group lessons, summer classes, enrichment classes to choose from, indoor bigroom, outdoor gated in room...the teachers were hit or miss - last year not the best at all..however, they communicate with daily letters and it's extremely safe. The issue was I felt the pre-k curriculum was a little weak - just a letter a weak and show and tell which is fine but mostly for my son they have a 2 1/2 year old program which matriculates children up til January turning 2/12...he'll be a full8-9months older than some of the kids if I am doing the math right. The class will only go up to 11 children but he'll more than likely be the oldest....there is another preschool that does not have the "bells and whistles" like music class, etc....field trips they dont have buses for , you drive them, which I don't mind and the student teacher ratio for the 2 1/2 year program /young 3's is slightly higher - 14. The teachers seemed friendly but you don't know til you switch -
I heard word of mouth they were nice.....I am debating switching only because age wise - he would not be the oldest - there are 3 other kids older and they all need to be 2 1/2 by september. Bottom line question - what is more important for my very independent active son - to be in a school with kids near his own age or a slightly smaller class with younger kids for 1 year?
I believe I will leave my son where my daughter went as this year she is super happy with her teachers this year and preschool should be fun as an intro to elementary school - letter of the week, exp. to art music, group play - the socialization part is HUGE! I also know now who to request there....
Hi do you think he is ready for more social interaction. Is he potty trained. If you mentioned that I must of overlooked it.
All my children attended nursery at 3yrs of age. My middle child was much clingy than my two other kids. I think he needed some time being socialized.
I think in most situations its a good idea it will get your child ready for kindgarten.
I think the important thing is what school fits your son better? You seem worried about him being the oldest in the class, but won't he be one of the oldest when he gets into K or 1st grade anyway due to his birthdate? Someone has to be the oldest and someone has to be the youngest. If you're happy with the program with all the enrichment activities, then stick with it. Don't get hung up on the age factor.
I'd go with the program I already KNOW and like rather than take a risk with my three year old. Dont worry so much about academics, the kids who dont learn letter sounds and days of the week until the end of K will catch up with the "advanced" kids. what really builds a childs intelligence ? stories and songs to build vocab, encouraging creativity not just everyone make the same craft every day, lots of interacting with peers, and MUSIC
the value of play:
www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/12/29/christakis.play.../index.html -
You want your son to be with kids his own age. A letter a week for a 2.5 yr old is fine. You don't really need to do pre-k with him until he is in an actual pre-k program. As in the year of school before kindergarten.
