Preschool Question

Keep him home with you. There's no reason to rush into school. It sounds like you're doing a great job with him. You'll wish you hadn't if you start him too soon. Enjoy this time with him.

There is no one answer here- as your "research" has shown! :) You know your little guy best. It sounds to me like he's doing great with mom- all those classes and programs are giving him plenty of social interaction. But if he's very independent, and/or if you would like a break as well (which is allowed!), there is nothing wrong with starting him at that age. To be super specific, he'll actually be about 2 1/2. That's different than 2, and the age that many Montessori programs begin. There's a reason for that age choice. Many children ARE ready for the structure of half day preschool at 2 1/2!

So it's up to you and your son, and where you think he'll be come September. Maybe you should sign up for a waitlist, if that's an issue. And then make your final decision over the summer, when you'll have a better idea of where he is. It's almost impossible to tell now, because it's 10 months away.

This, like all things, is about your gut instinct. You're the mama, and you know best. But you don't have to know right now. You just have to keep an eye on him, and keep his options open!

Good luck!

2 is still 2 young for children to follow directions, and they still play by themselves at 2 and into 3. You will overload yourself and him I think, as I have a daughter in preschool now (3). All they will do is babysit, and if you want to have that time for yourself then go for it, just cut out the quantity of time in other activities. Trust me, you dont want to overload him, because he will then overload you!

When I worked in a preschool, I met many moms like yourself. And I suggested that they try a part time program, where their child attended preschool only two or three days a week, for only three hours a day. It worked great for most children, getting them ready for interactive play and also getting accustomed to leaving mommy for a short period of time. It also works great for moms, giving you a bit of a breather. Small 2 yr old settings are less intimidating, so maybe you'd want to give it a try and see how your child likes it. He already has some experience with the classes you've introduced him to. Hopefully the transition will be an easy one. All the best to you!

It really depends on the child. My daughter was desperate to go to school at 2. My boys...not so much. My oldest son started at 3 and so will my youngest. In retrospect, I wish I hadn't started her so young.

As a professional educator, my advice and opinion is to not not rush it. Mommy and me is great at 2 years old if that's your thing. A 3 days a week for 1/2 day program for a 3 year old is beneficial.

For the first year of placing a 2 years old child to pre-school, he will be struggling with lots of detachment issues crying your heart out. For anything happens to him at pre-school, he may not be able to explain everything to you. However, it will better prepare him for elementary school. So, what you consider waiting until he turns a little over 3 before placing him to pre-school is your maternal instinct for protecting him which sounds a good choice to me. If you keep debating yourself whether placing him at 2 or 3 to pre-school, it is really your maternal instinct for protection debating your rationale for academic achievement. You just make a choice to see if your child's safety and psyche come first or his school learning comes first. At 2, he needs interaction with other children of different ethnics enjoying each other's company in the playground which will shape him into a well rounded persona and get him accepted easily into today's society of diversity. I suggest you to take your children to join local public libraries' children activities, children museums, community centers for children, and parks with children playgrounds. Participating all these children activities in different places will help not only children interaction but also increase your children's knowledge and give your self a chance slowly detach from them. It is only my personal opinion as to each child is different.

Dear J.,

I own a preschool and if you are not working and your baby does not have to be there keep him home with you. It sounds like you are socializing him a great deal and trust me a child under 2 and a half is really young to participate in any type of structured academic program. He has plenty of time to be in school and even if he is over three in September that is even better. Especially for boys they are not quite as mature as girls, and trust me socialization is not as important to them. Separation anxiety is very high at 18 months old and even the expectations for them to be able to follow directions is asking to much. Most of my toddlers as hard as we try to keep them engrossed go from one activity to the next and really parallel play at this age anyway. So as far as enrolling him to play with other kids its probably not going to happen until age 3 which is expected and normal. I am very proud of the program I have put together, however any child under the age of 2 1/2 is probably not going benefit from an independent academic program right now. Give him time home with you and honestly you do not have to wait until September, if you feel at 2 1/2 you would like to try then do it. Most programs if they have openings will allow enrollment at any time throughout the year. But remember that putting a child into school before they are ready can sometimes do more harm then good. No one is going to know that as well as you do as his mom. It sounds like you are a great mom and are enjoying your little boy. I wouldn't struggle with this right now you are doing the right thing. Good luck!!

Hi J.

I encourage you to put your child in a preschool program of some kind as he's approaching 2 years and absolutely before 3. We put our older child in preschool when he was 2 1/2 years. He had a hard time adjusting and developing social skills (playing with others, sharing, etc.). He was also speech delayed which was our initial reason for putting him in a preschool at our pediatrician's recommendation. He's five now, doing fine and sought out by all his friends as the "class best friend". Both in daycare/preschool and now as he's entered kindergarten, the kids fight (a bit) over him. (ha-ha)

I share that to say, "let go mom". He'll be fine and it's good for his development. To find a good environment, I encourage you to look an accredited program under the Nat'l Assoc for education of young children (http://www.naeyc.org/).

Good luck. Let me know how it works out. -A.