should your child go to preschool with children he will go to kindergarten with?

Question

I asked this once-but now cant find my question...sorry for repeating ... my question is about my 4 year old son who will start preschool in Aug. we are trying to choose a preschool and have narowed it down to two, one of which is a little further away and not in our school district so he wont go on to kindergarten with these kids. He is shy and we are wondering if starting kindergarten will be easier for him if he already knows some of the kids from preschool. Should this be one of the determining factors? Thanks so much!

To each his own as far as the homeschooling goes but for my son, we feel he needs the social interaction. He is already ahead in academics (he's been tested) because I do teach him at home. The preschool is 3 mornings per wk.

to thomas j: I didnt say that homeschooled kids do not get social interation, all I said was that we feel our son needs THAT social interation. I have nothing against homeschooling at all! Its just not for me and my family

also: thomas J: how do you know they get far more interaction-how do you know we dont take our kids to parks, etc... homeschooling is great for some people but Im tired of people for thinking they are better parents than me b/c I choose not to do it. I dont feel Im a better parent b/c I choose not to.

I want to aplogize If I offended anyone who homeschools. I dont think they dont socialize. I thought about it and decided against it for my own reasons. I just dont feel like I should have to explain them or defend myself.
Thanks to everyone for advice.

Answer 1

It can be one of the factors, however you shouldn't put it on the top of your list. Your son will learn social skills in preschool and will take those into kindergarten, regardless of whether or not he already knows kids.
If both schools are equal in other ways then it won't hurt him to go to the closer school, however, if the other school is better send him there.
I have seen many shy children go through my class and all of them do well socially in kindergarten. You could help your son by getting him to other activities where he will be able to make new friends also. Try a swimming class or a sport. Making friends takes practice, teach him how.

Answer 2

I chose my kids preschools by reputation (friends opinions) and I had to use a different preschool for my youngest daughter and they both actually ended up with kids from their preschool in kindergarten. My youngest is very shy and in kindergarten this year, she has had some problems when her best friend (just met this year at K) is gone, but the teachers and the playground attendants have been very nice at helping her find someone to play with (at my request).

I also just asked the other preschool parents toward the end of the year what school their kids would attend and what teacher they were using. Turned out 1 mom had no kids in school prior and he would go to the same school so we both asked for the same teacher because they were both shy.

Just had to add 4 yrs is not to young for preschool, both my daughters started at 3. I think every child needs preschool if they will be going to public/private school. It teaches them how to interact with others, I volunteer (and volunteered for older) for my daughters kindergarten classes and the kids who have been in preschool are much more at ease (even if shy) and not so overwhelmed by having 20+ classmates.

Answer 3

Well, especially where he is on the shy side, it will definitely put him more at ease to start kindergarten with at least one child he knows. I would put it as one of the determining factors. But for what its worth, my son is very shy and started kindergarten this year not knowing a soul, and the first day was a little tough but it really went fine. At that age, they make friends so quickly and easily - especially boys.

Answer 4

It was easier on my kids when they started kindergarten because they already had kids that they knew...thanks to preschool. I would suggest that your son does preschool and kindergarten at the same school if possible. It does make it easier on the kids...this way they are excited to play with their same friends from preK once K does start. Good luck with all your future decisions.

Answer 5

I wanted my daughter to go to preschool with kids that she would go through school with. I believe that bonds that are stated early on are thos that can last a lifetime...not to say that others would not, but starting kindergarten would be easier on the child if they already know some other kids.

Hope this helps!

Answer 6

I agreewith some of the others to take it into consideration along with other things.
I also agree with you that homeschooling is for some people and some children but not all and neither side should have to defend themselves and neither side should put down someone else for making a different choice

Answer 7

Preschool is not a good idea for 4 year old boys. they are too young to comfortably leave their mothers, and besides, as Dr. Brazelton (pediatrician) and Dr. Greenspan (child psychiatrist) note in their book "The Irreducible Needs of Children" - children this age learn best with their mothers, because learning is relationship-based. Academics is not a good focus for kids this age - all learning about numbers, letters, letter sounds, colors, maps, etc etc etc will take place if you just spend time with him, talking with him, having him help you bake (numbers, fractions, seeing the uses of reading), garden with him. You say things like - here's your red shirt, oh, i like these three books, wow, the letter A looks like a triangle, etc etc etc

Have fun, don't send him away - let him learn at your side as he is biologically programmed to do. (I don't think much of K for boys, either.)

Answer 8

All kids will be shy the first week or so, but yes it helps if they know one or two of the people in their class. I'd say stay closer to the school. Mom to 3.

Answer 9

To each his own on homeschooling indeed, but the idea that kids who homeschool don't get social interaction is absurd. They get far more social interaction, because they're not stuck in a classroom with kids from one place, of one age, all conforming to one program. They're out in the real world, and they got to park days, coops, etc.

Answer 10

do what is best for you, your son will be fine even if he doesn't know anyone.