At what age should children start school?

Question

My daughter turned 3 years old in July... I haven't put her in a pre-school yet... is that bad? I have put her in day care where the curriculum is similar to school but I just wanted to know what age I should start her in pre-school or kindergarten.... any ideas?

Answer 1

My daughter is starting to preschool next fall(2008) and she will be barely 4, then she will start kindergarten when she's barely 5. She goes to a mother's day out right now which has curriculum, but nobody is a better teacher than the parent!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Kindergarten should start when she is 5. Preschool is totally optional and really depends on your circumstances and what you need and what you want. Most preschools cost money and it's only worth it if the money is not an issue. Chances are she is getting all the socialization skills that she needs from being in day care. If there is a curriculum being "taught" in day care, then it may ned up not being much different from preshcool. One of the things that might be different is the routine. Usually in preschools they try to have a structured routine -- something like free play time, snack time. circle time or meeting time, story time, singing time, outdoor time, arts and crafts time, lunch time, nap time, more outdoor time. These aren't really in order but, that's the general idea of the flow of the day. Some preschools really stress the kids needing to participate and "learn" and others are much more low key and believe (I think correctly) that just letting them play (with some structure) that those things are more appropriate for kindergarten and that it's more important for 3 and 4 yr olds to learn through play.

Answer 4

Usually 4 works well for most little folks...our grandkids went to a church preschool at that age, learned how to interact with larger groups than just around the neighborhood or at home, learned all their colors, shapes, numbers, letters, different activities than the moms were up for [kinds of games, team-building, cooperation with others, etc.] and participated in caring for a class pet, how to put away toys and games and fold up nap-mats, exercises of varying kinds that involved all their little bodies, etc.

From all accounts, now that they're in their late teens, this preschool/nursery experience was really their best "head start" and made easing into a public kindergarten or first grade a lot more smooth and comfortable. They took to school like ducks to water - and I think 4 years old would be just perfect for most kids.

Answer 5

If she's in a daycare with a preschool cirriculum, I think that counts as preschool. That's what my kids are doing.

It's not really wrong to not have them in preschool, as long as you're capable of teaching them the things they need to know for kindergarten. I did not feel like I was.

I would probably say that a child would really benefit from at least a year of preschool, starting at the age of four-by-september, and starting kindergarten the next year. Besides teaching them the academic stuff, it lets them have social interaction, be a part of a class, and get used to the classroom-type structure and routine they'll encounter in kindergarten.

Answer 6

Well not all states let just any child go into preschool ( public preschool I mean ) In MD your child has to be at risk ( be on medicaid , things of that nature ) or need special help getting ready for kindergarden. Also alot of places dont start preschool until the child is 4. And kindergarden , the child cant start unless they turn 5 by sept 1 or up to 45 days after.

Answer 7

In Australia they have to turn 5 by April 31st to start (we start the school year late Jan early Feb) but I wanted mine to be older and as their birthdays were March I held them back a year. So they turned 6 about 6 weeks after starting school. I am Melbourne so it must be different to Queensland. What she states was the dates when I was in Primary school. It hasn't been that for a long time in Melbourne.

Answer 8

public school starts at age 4 and its pre kindergarten my son is going. in my state you have to be four before nov 1, pre k is optional and your child has to be fully day time toilet trained. good luck dont rush your baby she can go to public school next year. some private schools have k- 3 which is 3 years old if school hasnt started you could look into it other wise you still have to wait til next year

Answer 9

There's usually a cut off date like the child needs to be a certain age by a certain date to be eligible. There also seems to be variance as to when Pre-School is because in my area it is age 3, with Pre-K at age 4.

Answer 10

Whenever they are ready. I think we push kids too hard, too fast. I'm a homeschooler though, so feel free to disregard that opinion.

If you opt for preschool, please please please look for one that is "developmental," not "academic." Little ones should learn by playing and being read to, not by sitting down for formal lessons.

My son is now in a charter school that is 2 days a week at school, 3 days a week at home. He is five and is at close to a first-grade reading level (with no formal training) and will be in first grade classes for math and a few other subjects. His learning was almost entirely through play. My daughter is 3, has had absolutely NO formal instruction, and will probably be starting phonics instruction with me by the end of the year (she's begging me). All because I read to them all the time, let them play, and generally engage them in fun activities. No 3-year-old need to sit down for lessons.

My non-preschooled kids play very well with others, have friends, and are generally well socialized. They are well liked by their peers and tend to be leaders in group situations.

There are plenty of preschools that are age-appropriate and do not force little ones to have formal lessons. Look for one of those.