As a stay at home mom would you put your 2 1/2 yr old in preschool?

Question

I have been a stay at home mom since we brought my daughter home from the hospital. She is now 28 months old and active in dance class, Gymboree classes and playgroups during the week. We are considering putting her in a preschool 2 days a week (and dropping Gymboree ofcourse) for half days, no more than 4 hours a day. Then when she turns 3 1/2 move her to 3 days a week and 5 days at the age of 4. We are hoping to prepare her more for Kindergarten by doing this. Also, when we have baby #2 it won't be such a drastic change for her. I was definatley going to put her in a preschool when I had another child to give me one-on-one time with baby. BUT I know you shouldn't start something this drastic right around when baby comes. So, do you or don't you feel that Predchool is necessary? Money aside.

Answer 1

Ditto Sparkle. IT'S NOT NECESSARY. I have experience in public elementary school and as grandparent. The topic has been addressed adequately, but I feel strongly about this one.

Kindergarden used to be pre-school, then Head Start, and now 21/2.(!) She's still a "baby" (I know she's your big girl, too). She needs YOU. Why defeat the purpose of being a stay at home mom. You have the ideal situation. Some moms of necessity don't have a choice. Their children will turn out great too. But if you have both options, my point is there will probably be sibling rivalry pre-school or not. So, to me, that's not a valid reason. Spend as much 1-on-1 time with her as you are able. She wants and needs 100 percent of your attention.

Children pick up more germs and unacceptable words and behavior. Haven't you noticed the questions about bullying. So be ready if you decide to send her.

Furthermore, studies have been conducted with twins. Twins A were formally taught to read early on. Twins B waited until school age. Twins B learned to read more quickly and caught up to level with Twins A. Later, they were both reading at the same level. It is not always an advantage to "push" kids. (Not implying that you are - just making a point)

As far as socialization, she is a socialized person already. She interacts with family. Some guidelines suggest for example, two guests at a two year-old party, three at three etc. Sometimes a large group is overwhelming to a little one who is learning to balance autonomy with getting along with others - tantrums, nightmares.

In fact, according to Dr. Hoecker, a Mayo clinic specialist, two year olds have a vocabulary of about 50 words and can link two words together. But even their parents understand what they are saying about 50 percent of the time (in general) and with strangers this can lead to frustration and insecurity for the child, resulting in tantrums (mayoclinic.com).

I can think of more negatives than positives, but that's just my educated opinion at this point in my life. When I was a working mom, I relied on childcare assistance. I justified myself as a parent with "Quality" time vs. "Quantity" time for my children. True. Still, I was lucky to have extended family I could trust. My children are happy, productive, well-adjusted adults. If I had it to do over, I definitly would have spent those early developmental years at home with them.

I am not being judgemental here. Every situation is different. You will know what is best. Pre-school at 2 1/2 is seemingly very young and when given the choice, not necessary. But, whatever you decide, be happy and feel no guilt. Enjoy the journey.

Answer 2

Unless she absolutely loves gymboree I would put her in preschool. Espcially if baby #2 is coming. If you wait until the baby is there she may get jealous that the baby gets to stay home while she's going elsewhere. I think it would be great to gradually adjust her to being away from home and learning things. It is such a shock to so many kids to all of a sudden not have mom b/c they're at school all day. Just make sure you have some days set aside where your husband or a daycare watches the baby and she gets mom all to herself. I have a 2 yr 8 month daughter and a new baby. She loves getting to have some playtime with just me while grandma watches the baby. And when this next year rolls around I'm putting her in preschool to give me a break. Having 2 kids is a totally new world and you can't imagine it until it's there!

Answer 3

I started my (now almost 4 yr old) with 2 mornings a week preschool just before he turned 3. I had also just had a baby, and at the time - the baby was 4 months.
He LOVED school. We were also doing Gymboree but stopped it for preschool. I planned on increasing him to 3 mornings a week when he was 3 1/2 but our plans changed and now he's in a special school 5 days (afternoons for2 1/2 hrs).
He LOVES school and I bet your little one will too.
It's nice to grocery shop without kids :)

Answer 4

I think too many people put their children in preschool so they can work in the workforce.. just selfishness. Of couse some people need to work and can't make it otherwise but those who place them, in preschool so they can do what they want to do and not raise their own children is hurting society IMHO.

Kids need their parents to raise them.. I wouldn't want my child being influenced by rowdy children who are just dumped off (and they know they are dumped off) so the parent can do whatever they want. Some parents just put kids in preschool telling themselves they are learning to share, manners.. etc. A parent could be teaching a child this very thing and it sounds like your child is well rounded anyway with all the activities.

Some parents put the kids in there just to get a "break". I honestly think people should consider their motives before having children.

My opinion is.. it's not necessary.
I didn't put my child in preschool.. she started Kindergarten and was close to being the brightest child in the class. She got all "A".. (yes she was graded in Kindergarten) So no amount of jump starting learning.. will make them do any better than the next child.

I'm sure your child would love to be home with you and the baby.. she can learn so much.. from you. She'll see how nurturing you are and want to help you.

Best wishes with your decision!

Answer 5

Why are you trying to make her grow up so fast.......... Let her be a child! The play groups are fine but the rest is way too much for a child that young!
A child should NEVER go to preschool until he/she is 4.
Get her some flash cards; alphabet letters, numbers, shapes and colors. Work with her on these and she'll be more prepared for preschool when she turns 4.
If you need one-on-one time with another baby - then you should wait until she begins preschool before having the next child.

Answer 6

I think she'll be very prepared for kindergarten with all of the activities you have her involved in. I think maybe preschool should wait. She might be overwhelmed. If it is just you and her during the day try planning some learning based activities. She'll love the one-on-one time with you and while you are at the museum or the petting zoo or in your own garden playing in the dirt you can teach her so many things yourself. You are the biggest influence on her and you can teach her so many more things just by going to the grocery store that a preschool can at 2 1/2. Things don't always have to be structured. Good luck and take care.

Answer 7

My children went to a Mother Day Out program at the church when they were 2. It was just 2 mornings a week from 9-12. Gave them play time with other children and gave me time to grocery shop or take a bath alone. Went to preschool 2 morn a week at 3 and 3 morn a week at 4..when Kindergarten started they were fine with going.

Answer 8

I started my kids at about 2 years two days a week to begin with. It was great for them and gave me a break. Preschool is more about socializing than anything else so it is good for children. The kids seem to like it but I wouldnt go overboard with 5 days a week. Also, there are a lot of germs in preschool and the kids will get sick a lot at first being around so many other kids. Overall I think it wil be a good experience for your child but just dont overdue it they are only this age once and they have a long time to go to school.

Answer 9

I've worked at a daycare for about 2 1/2 years and from my experience I will do all that is in my power to keep my future children out of it (if I have any at all in this crazy world). And I know you are talking about PRESCHOOL but to me it's all the same....the facility I'm at likes to call themselves a preschool...to me its still a kiddie prison under a nicer name.

Anyways preschool/daycare is not a good place to socialize your child. I've seen sweet angelic children turn into demons. They have to fight for survival among other kickers, bitters, pinchers, and generally ill-mannered children. If you get hit and bit enough you'll begging to fight back to and adapt the same survival techniques the others have.

Skipping the learned behavior lets move on to the attention aspect. In every state the ratio of children per caregiver is different but I don't care how low it is it's NEVER going to be low enough to give you child the attention she needs. Children crave and thrive on attention but frankly when there are 20 something kids in a room it's hard to focus on just one AND THIS IS ASSUMING THAT THEY ARE ALL BEHAVING LIKE ANGELS.

I could go on forever....but for more info go here: http://www.daycaresdontcare.org/

I am not by any means trying to scare you but if you have the option of keeping her at home I would do so. I found the info on the site to be truly accurate (especially the dictionary!).

Answer 10

When my daughter was about 2, I put her in daycare a few day's a week for a few hours at a time. Just to socialize her, and to get some alone time (house cleaning time). I've read though that starting is preschool too early can lead to burn out later in life. So my husband and I have opted to wait until she is 4 to start preschool.