My son will turn 4 in January. I am not sure if I want him to go to preschool or wait until he is 5 and go to

Question

kindergarden. He knows his abc's, colors, numbers to 20. I think he is really smart. My sister in law said that she is not putting her son in preschool. She is waiting until he can go to kindergarden. I don't really know what to do. This is my only child and I know it will be a lot to handle.

Answer 1

I decided to send my daughter to preschool at age 4, but for only a couple days a week. My daughter knew all that stuff too, but I live in a smaller town, so I sent her so she could meet some of her future classmates so she could already have a couple friends on her first day of kindergarten. It also introduced her to schedules, you know, having math at this time, lunch at this time, all that stuff. Plus, it helped me not be so messed up when she started kindergarten. I knew she and I could handle not being around each other every day. Let's put it this way, I didn't cry as long on her first day of kindergarten. LOL

Answer 2

I think preschool is a wonderful way for them to transition to Kindergarten. Picture this, you have never been in a school or classroom setting before, never had to sit quietly and listen to others talking, never had to wait your turn at circle time and then you are suddenly thrown into this room where there are 24 other kids, a teacher, and you are expected to listen ALL day long. Wouldn't it be so much less scary if you started going for just a few hours a week with a much smaller group and ease into it?

My son started preschool this year (turning 4 in a couple weeks) he goes two mornings a week, and next year he will go three mornings a week. I too taught my son all of his preschool skills anyway, but there is a social and emotional element that we as parents cannot provide. Preschool provides important social interactions as well as endless learning opportunities.

You should be very thorough in your search for the right preschool. For tips on what to look for visit this site:
http://www.babycenter.com/expert/12602.html

Answer 3

I have had both sides of the coin in my family so here goes...I myself went to preschool, straight As through school. A couple of my older children didn't go, they went on and are in college right now. My youngest is really smart, a lot of it is because of her involvement with the older siblings but we put her in preschool anyway so she could have the social at least. Now after almost a year of preschool not only does she know her ABC's, colors and numbers to 20, she can write her ABC's, most colors, numbers to 100 and writes her first and last name out pretty good as well. Personally I think preschool helps in every step of social and academic success and who doesn't want success for their child? It costs a lot so we only send our child twice a week, but it works well and we are sticking with it. Prayers =)

Answer 4

Preschool is good where it helps your child start to learn basic classroom rules. These days kindergarten is more structured and most kids have learned the basic skills from preschool so they are moving onto bigger things. Children who lack these skills may have a harder time keeping up.
If you choose not to send your child to preschool, maybe he attends a church program that helps him with these skills anyways.
Keep in mind that some schools required a child go fulltime now and some even require a child test out.
I would send him if you have the option.
Good Luck

Answer 5

Overall, I think preschool is a good idea, especially for only children. This is a setting in which they can learn to function as a part of a larger group, and acquire behaviors which are required in school settings (like walking in line, sitting in his own spot during circle time, listening while others talk...etc). Preschool isn't just for academic skill acquisition but it will provide him with a good opportunity to maintain those skills, and even expand them to a degree. The other thing to consider is his age. In general, boys develop socially a bit more slowly than girls, and sometimes can benefit from starting school a year late, this also depends on when your school districts cutoff dates for school entry are. Given that your son is 4, I would reccomend putting him in preschool. Unless you feel strongly that his social skills haven't developed to the point where school will be useful for him.

I'm working my internship as a school psychologist and most of the behavior problem referrals I see for preschool and kindergarten boys are a simple matter of not having acquired the behaviors teachers expect of children in school, like standing and walking in line, waiting their turn to speak, staying in their spot (desk or on the carpet). Preschool is a good place for children to acquire and practice these behaviors.

On a sidenote, and perhaps more relevant to your question, my son will be 4 next november and will start preschool in august of the following year (he'll turn 5 in november of his preschool year). I'll definately not wait a year to put him in preschool.

Answer 6

Well, he sounds like a bright boy. I vote for preschool. I think that preschool is essential for socializing children -- especially if they don't go to day care, if they don't get enough "instruction" at day care, or if they don't have any siblings. As he is your only child, I think that he will benefit from preschool immensely. It has been nearly 35 years since I first attended preschool, and I still remember the place, the teacher and a couple of my classmates -- sure, the crisp facts fade but the positive feelings that I associated with going to preschool have stuck with me. I think that students that have attended preschool shine as individuals throughout their education and beyond.

I haven't read the link completely but here are some study results regarding the long-term socioeconomic benefits of attending preschool.

And, you'll get a break from your son -- it will be good for both of you.

Answer 7

I have a 3 year old and a 4 year old both are in preK....My 3 year old is very active and doesn't listen very well. If this is the case for you then you might want to consider preschool. My pastor/principal of the school said it is just that pre school, it will help him learn how to get ready for kindergarten without too many bumps in the road for him. He will learn how to listen to the teacher and mind, he will learn how to stand in lines and follow instructions and other basic classroom rules. It may be tough in Pre K but it will make Kindergarten a lot easier. Good Luck! and remember it is your choice, don't let people try to make you feel like you are being a bad parent for putting your child in PreK.

Answer 8

My daughter will be 4 in February. This past fall, I put her in a Mommy's Day out program, where she goes twice a week for 4 1/2 hours, including lunch time. They follow the school district calender. She gets to be in that classroom environment that I can't give her at school. The hard thing is that kindergarten is so much more intense than when we were kids, I feel like they need a jump start. My daughter is really smart too, but at MDO she is learning to "learn" to follow teacher's instructions, play, structure. All kinds of goodness! These programs are usually at churches or religious schools, but when I looked, several places offered them- dance studios, gymnastics places, even the karate school! Just be forewarned, Mommy's Day Out IS NOT the same as part time daycare- so most day care centers run a different type of program!

Answer 9

I started preschool when I was three and graduated a year early
my neice started when she was eight months, shes in 2nd grade and she can write in cursive, do multiplication tables up to 12, the teacher says that the only problem she has is that she helps the rest of the class before getting her own work done
I think that its a matter of whether or not you feel comfortable sending your child to preschool, but keep in keep in mind it also helps develop social skills
Take all of this into consideration and keep in mind the best things you can give your child is love and an education:)

Answer 10

preschool isn't just about learning colors and shapes but also about learning to socialize and be in a school type place. I think kindergarden is a wonderful thing b/c its not school but they will make sure he is ready emotionally and mentally. I would highly recomend it. School is so crazy these days that the children need all we can do to help them through the stress that we didn't have when we were in school. I would definately put him in preschool.