my little boy is coming up to three and currently at playgroup 3 days a week and i have been told that he would be able to start and the local primary school in september should i enroll him or keep him at playgroup for another year ?
2007-06-15 03:05:45 · 23 answers · asked by gempea 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I don't see any need to hold him back unless he has special needs of some kind. If enrolling at the school is the usual procedure for three year olds, then that is what should happen. You don't want to make him lose his peer group - I presume they will be moving on too? Don't create unnecessary trauma.
I found with mine that they were more than ready to move on at the right time, and the class that they moved into was structured especially for their age group. It sounds daunting to you to have your little one go to 'school' but it will be appropriately aimed at them and their abilities. They usually have more helpers in the class too to give extra assistance. It is kind of like a playschool or nursery still and probably part-time, but within more of a school environment, so when they do start full time in Reception, it is not traumatic at all.
Don't worry! I found that mine benefitted greatly from doing the same thing and loved school - still do! One is shy, the other is outgoing, but both did well. Just go with the flow - they'll be 18 before you know it!
2007-06-15 07:50:36 · answer #1 · answered by Katrina M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earlier the better, it helps children learn how to act with other kids and how to play. It als helps you have a little extra time to not stress. He'll be able to get used to being away from you and home sooner too.
Just make sure that wherever you put him in does do some teaching as far as basic things, many have some great programs where the children who go to those end up being much smarter then the other kids their age.
Also only send him to the short half day ones at first but after a while move it up to longer days, and remember to spend a lot of time with him when he is home.
Before you pick a place make sure you can come and visit it before you actually get him into it, and try and go when they have kids there so you can see how the people are, stay in the back and hidden so they don't notice you and act how they normally would when parents aren't around.
2007-06-15 10:16:12 · answer #2 · answered by Yomi Minamino 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it depend on the kid. If he is getting plenty of social interaction at his playgroup and he likes it why push him into a new environment before neccessary.Plus if you wait maybe some of his playgroup mates will be in school with him. Also try asking him if he wants to go to school or stay at his playgroup and see whta he has to say about it.
2007-06-15 10:11:11 · answer #3 · answered by uteva713 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All children from the age of 3 are entitled to a nursery place. My daughter was 3 in December 2003 and started nursery in January 2004. She had been going to a toddler group but I just knew she was ready to move on. Although she did 18months as such in the part time nursery setting, it was absolutely the best thing for her. She began to make friendships for when she started her formal education in Reception and it wasn't such a big deal. She loved the idea of being at "big school" and she got to know all the teachers who she would have contact with as she progressed. You will know if your little one is ready for that. Not sure if it is a national thing but at my daughters school they only come for a half day, either morning or afternoon to the nursery and dont start full time until they are in Reception.
2007-06-15 12:21:05 · answer #4 · answered by ANDREA A 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It totally depends on the kid. If your kid is social and enjoys being around the other kids, he may be ready at three or four for primary school. Does where you live have a mandatory starting age for kids? When you mention "primary" school it makes me think you are somewhere other than the U.S.A. since we don't call our schools that. My wife is a kindergarten teacher here in the U.S. and she thinks that most kids shouldn't start school until they are at least six since so many five year olds and under have such short attention spans and are still learning so many social skills that they aren't ready for academic instruction. I would recommend reading to your son, counting toys with him and stuff like that until he is older before sending him to school. I also highly recommend teaching him self control, self discipline and especially how to sit still for 10 to 20 minutes at a time without being told repeatedly to sit still and listen. If he can do that, he's ready for school. Too many of the kids my wife gets in kindergarten can't do that at five, sometimes even at six and it drives her crazy. Some of them come in not knowing how to control urges to pull hair, steal other kid's stuff, whine and complain about being told what to do, throw tantrums when they don't get their way etc. If your kid doesn't do those things anymore, then he's ready for school.
2007-06-15 10:19:59 · answer #5 · answered by John W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's up to you. If you feel your child is ready then by all means get him in school. If you feel that you may need to wait a minute then wait. It's all about choice. As long as he's 5 when he starts kindergarden, then you have nothing to worry about. It will give him a chance though to experience a school setting before he really has to buckle down, and that may help in the long run. But if you don't want to send him then wait a year. No harm will be done.
2007-06-15 10:09:39 · answer #6 · answered by Amanda M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5 is generally the rule of thumb.
Put him in a pre-school, not a play group.
Check what age they start enrolling for kindergarten at your local school.
I have a friend that when she went to put him into kindergarten at the age of 4, he fell behind so much, that he had to redo kindergarten. The teachers felt he was too immature. Well, he IS only 4. How mature do they want them to be? Apparently his learning skills were not ready.
But personally, I would keep him in preschool and wait till he is qualified to go to kindergarten.
2007-06-15 10:12:34 · answer #7 · answered by Mom of 2 great boys 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well i began kindergarten when i was three, skipped 5th and 6th grade and i was supposed to graduate this year, but according to the school board of California, i am "too young". It is not too young he will be done with the university in no time. Enough time for him to enjoy his money
2007-06-15 10:11:25 · answer #8 · answered by uzenze 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He should be fine, my children started in a creche at the age of 2. By the time they were 3 they couldn't wait for school and they didn't cling or cry for me as they were used to it. I loved it at the end of the day when they run and hug me and tell me about their day.
You will know when he's ready (deep down). Good luck.
2007-06-15 10:09:27 · answer #9 · answered by Tyanna-Daisy 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
enroll him a head start program will help him adjust to sitting down to do his work instead of playing all day so when he gets to school he won't have to adapt he'll already know what to do... and it's so nice to get the little things they make
2007-06-15 10:09:39 · answer #10 · answered by DIXIEMS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋