when should i put my 1 year old in school?

Question

should I wait till kindergarten, preeschool or before? plaese give me details WHY you chose your answer

Answer 1

I just put my son in a Montessori school at 19months. He goes two 1/2 days a week and loves it. I thought he might be a little young, but the first week his teacher said that he had great focus and listened very well. When she said it, I looked behind me to see which mom she was talking to!! Then clarified she was talking about MY kid! HA! I would have never thought I'd hear "focused" and "good listener" when describing MY son! I really think his verbal skills have improved just in the short time he's been going and I'm told he gets along with the other kids well. The separation anxiety is still hitting him when I drop him off, but they say he only cries for a few minutes and then goes along fine.

I chose to put him in a program b/c 1)We needed a little "space," 2)I felt like he needed to be interacting with other kids on a regular basis, 3)I hoped that it would help his verbal-he communicates but not a lot of decipherable words and 4) He only goes half days on T,Th so I don't feel like I'm overloading him. I highly recommend getting your child into some sort of program. Even if it's a Mother's Day out that most churches offer(and you don't have to be a member).

Answer 2

If you find a GOOD daycare/Preschool I really think that it would be great at least 1yr to 1 1/2 yrs. old. The reason why I say this is because a child is ready at this time to start bonding with other children. Make sure that this school or daycare has teachers that are really teaching Not just watching (Babysitting)because anyone can do that. You want the education, help with potty-training, trust, love and more for you money.What I want you to do is before you choose (which may be a lot of work if your not refer ed by someone) is go around and sit in different centers and see whats going on,what are they doing to educate the children,what are they feeding them,how much supervision.

Answer 3

I have a home-based business and work sometimes evenings and weekends doing other things, but I am always home during the day while my husband is at work. My children have never been in preschool or daycare. You asked why we chose this and it's because my husband and I both believe that it's wrong to let someone else raise our children. The first 5 years, first 3 especially, are so vitally important for a child to learn security and love and human intimacy, and we believe that happens best at home with a loving family. The best daycare or preschool in the country cannot substitute for family. The best "learning program" cannot substitute for free play and imagination and exploration. I do think that there are understandable reasons for putting kids in preschool or daycare - such as if both parents have to work full time to pay the bills, or if mom needs a break a couple hours a week. But I can tell you, for me, personally, there's no job in the world that's more important to me than being there for my little babies, and I quit my 9-5 job after my first child was born. I want to see their first steps and read books to them and teach them their colors and letters and watch butterflies and all that - why would I want to give away all that joy to someone else?

Answer 4

My son started preschool at 2 1/2 years old because I had some post partum depression after the birth of my 2nd son. It was nice having a bit of a break and he really enjoyed it. He was only going for 2 hours twice a week. He is 3 1/2 years old now and loves it still!!

Answer 5

my older son started preschool at 4. he was definitely not ready at 3. He had zippo attention span, wouldn't sit still, etc. 4 was much better for him My younger son started at 3. He was VERY ready. Good attention span, got along well with other kids, and was ready to learn. Neither one had ever been in any kind of day care so I thought preschool was important to get them used to a school setting before kindergarten. Kindergartens these days have them reading at the end so I felt preschool was important as a foundation for that as well.

Answer 6

My children started attending a mothers morning out program at 2. They went from 9-12 two mornings a week. It gave me a few hours to get some stuff done and gave them time to be with other children and learn social skills. It is important for them to play with others and also to break the mommy only pattern.

Answer 7

Well-I would say wait until he is around 4 because most schools will not take a child unless he is potty trained.Also this gives him more maturity.I have a 20 month old and I am waiting until around 4.

Answer 8

Not sure when, but you may want to start off by putting him or her in an in-home childcare. Reason I say in-home childcare and not daycare is because most in-home childcare givers can give more attention to your child. Daycares have too many kids and not enough adults.