Is it necessary to send your child to a preshool?

Question

We have a two-year-old girl and are wondering how important it is to send her to a preschool? I have heard the pros and cons of it and don't know whether we should send her to one. Anyone can help?

Answer 1

I don't think necessary is the right word, but there are many factors that can help you decide. If your daughter spends time with other children, either in play groups or in day care, then she will learn social skills in those situations. You can teach her colours and letters and how to count, and you can give her structure and rules and small responsibilities. But if she is home with you full time, you might find it helpful to enrol her in preschool to get her used to being with a teacher and other children, following instructions and learning good group behaviour. You don't have to decide when she's two, wait and see how confident she is, how well she adapts, and how mature she is compared to others her age. Trust your instinct when the time comes, and don't let others pressure you one way or the other.

My children didn't attend preschool, but they did go to a weekly playgroup. I taught them all the basics myself, and they were fine when they started kindergarten.

Answer 2

Something that I didn't see anyone else write is that pre-school is so much FUN for many kids! My son absolutely LOVED pre-school. There are many different options too. At his school, the 3 year olds went 2 days a week from 9:30 - 12:00. A very short time, but well worth the money. It was only $90/month. The 4 year olds went 3 days, so it didn't take too much time away from other activities. I think it's a nice gradual transition to kindergarten.

Pre-schools generally aren't too academic, but they do introduce important skills like playing together, some letter recognition, and building listening skills. They do a lot of cute projects, and songs that you might not think of doing at home. My son didn't use scissors too often, so he was "behind" in the scissors skill area. I hadn't thought about doing cutting at home, parents don't know everything. They do a lot of cutting in kindergarten, so it was good that we found that out (even though it seems small.) Kids who attend preschool generally have better behavior in kindergarten. Preschools require kids to be fully potty trained, which sometimes is a problem for kids.

Make sure that it's a true preschool, not a day care. The staff in all 3 rooms of my son's preschool had master's degrees in early childhood education. Day care workers do not need even need a bachelor's degree.

Whatever your decision, I'm sure it will be right for you and your child.

Answer 3

Preschool is very important because it gives them social skills and helps them get a head start in learning. However, you do need to make sure to check out the preschool and see what exactly the children are learning (some are more like daycares where they just watch the children). Also some school districts require children to attend preschool before entering Kindergarten so you should check into that. Kindergarten has change alot in the past 20 years so be prepared for your daughter to learn to read during that time. Also many Kindergartens have taken play out of learning whereas they get this type of stimulation in preschool. Personally, I believe that preschool is an advantage for children. I'm a mom of a preschool child, work at a preschool, and am in school to get my P-4 Education degree so I've been doing a lot of research in this area.
Another option if you are still apprehensive is to enroll your daughter in preschool part-time that way she can get the experience in limited doses. If you have any other questions, just let me know.

Answer 4

Preschool is good if you want:
--To give yourself a break from 24/7 parenting, if only to do errands
--To help your child become socialized (especially if they're only children and used to adults more than children their own age)
--To help your child get used to a school setting without you around (if you plan on not home-schooling)
--To help your child learn skills that you either don't know or haven't been able to teach them.

Preschool isn't as important if:
--You enjoy the 24/7 aspect of parenting
--Your daughter has many playmates already with which she can become socialized
--You don't trust the school system
--You feel you can teach your daughter all she needs to know to be in kindergarten.
--Or, preschools are simply too expensive.

Good luck! No matter what you decide, I'm sure it'll be the right decision for you.

Answer 5

I believe it depends on how you parent. I think that if you are teaching her, and involving her in social play places like church/ mommy and me groups etc...it's not necessary. Studies say that even homeschooling through elementary ages is not socially stunting (although after that age, it can have it's downfalls if you aren't very careful.)

But if you don't read to her, don't teach her things, and spend your time engrossed in your own activities or television programs so she isn't getting stimulation and social skill from you, then yes, preschool is a good idea. Most likely, there is no one who will teach her with the same patience you will.

One way or the other, she certainly doesn't need full-time preschool...a few hours a couple days a week would probably be fun for her, and a break for you...

But if she or you are not ready, there's no rush...you are her best preschool teacher if you care to do it...

Answer 6

At two years old I think kids still need to be spending time with their parents. Take her to playdates but don't enroll her in pre-school just yet.

I enrolled my children when they were 3.5 and they both did very well. It really helped them learn social skills and gave me a little break during the day to run a couple errands. I don't recommend starting them full time, just 2-3 half days a week. Pre-schoolers tend to learn a lot of social skills and have different mediums to learn with, such as access to a playground, paints, sand, etc.

Cons: Cost of preschool isn't something to sneeze at. I pay only $185 a month for 3 half days and that is really cheap. The only other con is that your child will be sick more often just because of the germ factor. It's frustrating but there isn't much you can do but let their immune systems build up.

Answer 7

I would say if she is your only child than definitely YES! At least for a few hours or a half day. Preschool not only helps children prepare for kindergarten and school, but allows them to learn needed social skills. The focus generally begins to shift a bit from the ME ME ME to a more sharing, social focus. Just make sure to look into the preschool before entering your child. There are good ones and not so good ones.

Answer 8

If she has a group of friends she can have playdates with, parents who begin teaching her the basics of reading, and a regular daily schedule, it's not really necessary. Many people use preschool as a means of early education in reading and socialization, and exposure to a group classroom-type experience. All these things can be easily taught in a home environment if the parents are willing to put forth the effort.

The popular idea that it's necessary to send children to preschool to learn socialization and rules is a sad reflection on today's perception of the responsibilities of parenting!

Check out the preschool. In some you'll see children running around shouting, fighting, throwing toys, playing video games, watching cartoons, and crying in the corner with non one paying attention to them. Not what I would call a beneficial or educational experience!

Answer 9

For me, I sent my children to preschool since I wanted them to have an easier time adjusting to being around other children. They seemed to learn things that helped them when they went to Kindergarten. Socially, they learned to be in a room with other children and what was right and wrong. I think it really benefited my children to attend preschool. It also made it a little easier for me to let them go. When I have the kids around all the time, I tend to not make time for myself. This also got the children used to being away from mommy a little easier. Overall it worked for us. You should look into different preschools to make sure they are not just taking care of the kids, but helping them learn things they should know about for kinder. Learning to write their name, knowing their name, basics (ABC's, what is not appropriate behavior, etc.), that their parent will come back to pick them up and how to handle other kids behavior. I definitely favor preschool. However I didn't send my children until they were 4 years.

Answer 10

Preschool is definitely worth it! My oldest went to preschool and changed from a shy little girl into a very articulate young lady. She made wonderful friendships and learned school doesn't have to be hard work or scary. Also the every other day program made the transition to kindergarten easier for all of us.