Dont know if I should send my 3 yr old to Headstart?

Question

Where I live there is a headstart program you can send kids to when they turn the age of three. My husband and I plan on sending our son in November (when he turns 3). Now my family has lots of controversay over this saying he's too young for school, but my husbands family agrees with us. We believe that this will be a great opportunity for him to learn to get along well with other children plus the benefits of learning.I was just wondering what you guys thought...Is he too young to send to school?

Answer 1

Head Start does just what is says......it gives children a headstart to learning. You know your son better than anyone & if you think this would be a good thing for him then go with those feelings.

If you enroll him & after a reasonable period of time if you feel it's not a good thing then take him out. But I think you'll be surprised at how much he learns and he'll probably enjoy it.

Children today need as much of a "headstart" as we can give them.....good luck.

Answer 2

I've been hearing mixed reviews about Headstart programs. Some are really good, and others are horrid. Go ahead and send him- half day, 3 days a week, for socialization. He doesn't *need* to be "educated" this young, unless his family speaks English as a second language. But, you're right, it is good for him to be around other kids. If I could afford a Montessori or other todder program, my 22-mo son would already be in one. Just be sure to visit the school, and meet with the director and you kid's potential teacher. You want this to be fun, not work.

Answer 3

I have 2 kids that start Headstart today, one is 3 and one is 4, My 4 year old is in his second year, I think it is great to have a program like Headstart, My boys ride a small bus to school, they are gone Tuesday - Friday. My boys get to interact with other kids and learn.......... If I was you, I would go ahead and send your child......... it is a great opportunity........... Good Luck

Answer 4

There is nothing Head Start can offer your child that you cannot offer him if you take the time to help him learn some letters, colors, shapes, etc. and talk to him. You can also help him learn that doing things like coloring or PlayDoh (which means sitting at a table) is fun. You can have him help you do things like put out lunch placemats or flatware (one of each for each person). You can help him learn to know that sometimes a person can't run around wild and instead must listen to an adult by doing things like taking him to the bank and asking him to sit quiety while you talk to the "bank lady" or taking him to the Post Office and doing the same thing.

I have a concern about Head Start because that program is aimed at children who have parents who don't know how to provide the above type of nurturing so the child will be ready to attend school later. Because its aimed at underprivileged children there are often children who are fresh and aggressive and otherwise not necessarily kids you want your child to borrow behaviors from (and he may at his age).

Your local library may have a reading hour for preschoolers and their mothers. There may be some preschool in your area that your child could go to next year when he's four. You can sit down and play Duplo's with your little guy and talk to him about what you want to build next. You can play number games or shape games with him.

I know of a previously nice little boy who - because his mother was young and single - was recommended for Head Start for no reason other than that it is available to mothers like her. He went there, acted up with the other kids, and ended up on ADHD medication for the rest of his elementary school years.

I know the Head Start program means well, but I firmly believe one of the worst things that can happen with a child is to surround him with children who don't behave well or aren't very mature intellectually or may have aggressiveness problems.

Answer 5

I taught Headstart for 2 years several (OK, 27) years ago, and back then it was a great program. The kids do get a good start on beginning academics, and begin to learn social skills through play. I would highly recommend it.

Answer 6

At that age it's not so much about school as learning to socialize with other kids. If he's in a big family or has plenty of cousins and friends he probably wouldn't benefit much. If he's an only child it would be a good play experience.

Answer 7

Head-start is a good program to get your son into. YOU will not regret it!!!

Our 3 kids did a program similar to Head-start. IT does make a HUGE difference!!!

Mostly socialization skills. They learn how to share with others. How to raise their hands, How to wait until called on etc.

As well as learning academically.

Answer 8

I worked in a pre-school and 3 year olds are like sponges! They learn very fast, and this is a great age to send them to pre-school. IF.... it is a good pre-school and not a school that acts like its a daycare. Check this pre-school out, go visit and watch the teachers with the students, if you feel comfortable with it then send him. But I would definitaly check it out first.

Answer 9

you know eveyrone has their own opinions on this but i dont really agree with 2 yrs of preschool. dont see the point really.. my 1st daughter never went at all and did fine in kindergarten, shes a very good reader and writer... I dont really think they are teaching anythign there that they wouldnt learn at home anyway. I suppose for socialization.. but solitary play is also very important to development as well. I just happen to think kids are kids and we should let them be kids as long as possible and not rush them off to school. they have plenty of time for that later. Plus, i'm having fun with them at home ;)

Answer 10

I don't think it's too young.He might like it.And besides i'm sure it's only half a day.....You could use it to run errands or relax...And he probably will like to socialize with other kids..Just go with him and see if he likes it .If he wants to stay there then he's ready for school.If not give him a little more time.