Is 4 yr olds too young to start VPK. for a full day?

Question

In Florida we have a program called Voluntary Pre-K. The school district we are in offers this to them if they are 4 yrs old before the beginning of the school year. I went for the inqury of the program, It is a full day at school, 8-2:30 and they ride the bus just like the other children. What is your opinion on what a good age is for them to start school. My son thought it would be fun, UNTIL I registered him and it is getting close to that time. He is getting nervous and saying he doesn't want to go. With it being Voluntary, it would seem if it doesn't work out, I would be able to pull him out until the next year for Kindergarten. I have two other children, both in high school. No kind of program was offered like this when they were young. That is why I am turning to you all. Thank you for all of your input.

Answer 1

I would have said 4 is not too early for Preschool... but then I read the entire message and saw it for for an entire day.

I think its up to you to know your child and how he will react to VPK. I would most definitely let him try it for at least 2 or 3 weeks. That would give him time to adjust to the new environment and schedule. If, after that time, he's not doing so well with the long day, etc... I'd take him out.

He's going to be nervous.. he'll be nervous for kindergarten as well... so don't let that concern you... unless it goes on for several weeks. Then I'd see about pulling him from the program.

Answer 2

I think that it's a good idea. Any preparatory program will only help the child do better when he actually starts school/ When other children are trying to adjust, he will already have done that and he will be more disciplined. I started kindergarten at 2 years( when you could go to school at 3) and everyone else was 3 years. I believe that helped me learn early on how to excell academically.

Answer 3

I think it would be OK if the class size is small and the teacher competent. I would be careful of large numbers of kids per teacher. One school I worked in had 29 kids in Kindergarten and one teacher. It was very hard for her to control and supervise all those kids by herself. Also--are the kids in the school well-behaved. I have seen a big difference in how kids behave from one school to another. Environment maybe? I would not put a small child from a sheltered home environment in a large classroom at such a young age. Maybe a small class would be good. And a great teacher. See if you can observe a class first.

Answer 4

I wish they had this where I live. I don't think it is too young at all, especially considering the fact that so many kids go to daycare from the time they are babies. I stayed home with my kids when they were that young, but if I'd had the option I would have enrolled them in a program like that. Kids don't really learn much in daycare, but pre k programs are design with specific curriculum in mind. I say go for it!

Answer 5

It just depends on the child. Personally I think it is very good for their development, both academically and socially. It prepares them for Kindergarten and being away from family and around new people. I do think that ALL day is a bit excessive to start out, but it certainly cannot hurt. Good luck to you and your little one.

Answer 6

I think 4 is a good age to start school. I was 3 when i started Kindergarden.

I would suggest that you ave a talk with your son and tell him that it would be fun...play time, nap time, snack time, and so on. Plus he would get to make new friends. If he still doesn't seem like he wants to go, don't force it on him. He is still small. he has lots of time to prepare himself for school.

Answer 7

Well here in Australia our kids starts Kindergarten at da age of 4 ....and i think it gives da kids da boost they need, especially for kids that are shy or a lil behind, gives em confidence and helps with learnin to be seperated from mum like you said if he becomes to distressed keep him home for those few extra months.

Answer 8

well i sent my daughter at the age of 3 years old to school just because she was to shy to talk to anyone well that whole year she started talking a little and than at age 4 she took a least a half a semester than she started to talk and fully opened up ,now she's 5 years old and starting kindergarden and happy she going.now i think she is well pepared to go to school.but not all cases are a like my 3 year old (who is't shy at all)cried every day when i left him from pre-k and after i left starts to have his normal fun day,about 2 months left for the school year he started to laught and cover his gorgeus blue eyes.now my younger baby now turning 3 years old is going who knows what she'll be doing now.well sorry for that long story but i think i have a point.these kids do funny things for many reasons they say they don't want to do something but may be he'll be scared a first than end up liking it.well it happened to my kids but every day i asked them do you want to go back to school after them crying a little after i left they always said yes i think it's a good experince for them.well good luck to you.god bless



















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Answer 9

I wouldn't. Not for that length of time, anyway. Plus, being separated from you during the bus ride might be stressful. You have lots of time, let your child be a child for a while longer. Ignore the in-laws and the do-gooders and decide for yourself.

Answer 10

even if that's a great college the instructors should be awareness. they could help U recognize the thanks to discipline and prepare him extra constructive at homestead. The social component of taking section in with different childrens is excellent. Being an in basic terms toddler is difficult on the single toddler. that's difficult to study the thanks to percentage without someone to percentage with.