Did you send your child to preschool?

Question

if you didn't, did they have a hard time, either socially or academically, once they started kindergarten?

Thanks for all the responses so far!
I don't know why someone has been giving all answers a thumbs down...

Answer 1

I sent my son to preschool out of necessity...I had to work to pay the bills but, I would not change a thing. Yes, I am one of those who believes that preschool is a defiantly something every child should go to. I think as long as you check the back rounds on the schools you will have nothing to fear. Also, you should not fill guilty because preschool is helping prepare your child for kindergarten. My two year old daughter just started in the same preschool that my son went to and looks forward to going. I have no guilt instead I feel good knowing that my children are going to be prepared socially and academically for kindergarten and beyond. I think it is important for our children to establish relationships outside the home.

Answer 2

I did not send my oldest (9) to preschool and did not have any problems in Kindergarten but has struggles a little since then. My second son (6) went to preschool and is struggling in 1st grade and my 4 year old is in preschool now (different one then my 6 year old went to). I think it's helpful so they are use to not being with you when they start school ( you don't want them crying on the first day of school) and they get use to the idea of having a structured routine.

Answer 3

Yes, I sent both my girls to preschool. My first daughter went for 2 years and is now top of her class in 2nd grade and my younger girl just turned 3 in Aug. and just started her first year of preschool and is doing great. I think it is important for them to go out and have a chance to interact with other kids their age and sociallize. It's only for 3 hours and she loves it. And it is easier for them to adjust to kindergarten if they've been to preschool. Especially now that kindergarten here in CA is full day rather than the 3 hours when I was young. I can't imagine a child going to school for the first time and having to be there for 6 and a half hours before seeing their moms again.

Answer 4

I sent one son and not the other. We sent our second only because my husband was elected to the Preschool Board for the preschool at our church. I didn't really see much difference.

The oldest was reading before he went to school, so academically, he was ahead of the kids who went to preschool. Socially, he had been in various kids activities where he was seperated from me and made friends, so he was okay that way. I think the biggest struggle he had socially was that his vocabulary was bigger than most of the other kids, so they didn't understand what he was saying, but he still made friends.
I think it depends on the child. I have a nephew who should have gone to preschool because he started kindergarten as a bossy mommy's boy who never had much interaction with other kids his age and was behind academically. When he tested for kindergarten, they put him in a pre-K class instead.

Make the best choice for your child, based on what you are willing to do to get him/her ready at home in the meantime.

Answer 5

I think it's better because it teaches them to be social, and they are more comfortable, and prepared and know what to expect in kindergarten. Kids have a lot to learn in Kindergarten now, and they actually learn a lot in preschool. I think it should be in a school type setting though, not in a home because that isn't showing them what actual school is like. It couldn't hurt, but I think it's best mostly for the preperation for school. I remember starting kindergarten and I was so scared. I didn't understand what was going on. I went to a daycare prior.

Answer 6

I didnt send my daughter to preschool but she did go to day care and no she was not at all behind when it came to academics or social things. I'm very glad actually that I didnt send her she's just where she should be and then some. She's in 2nd grade now and doing WONDERFULLY! But really its your choice. Do what you think and feel is right, your instincts as a Mother mean more than you know!!

Answer 7

Yes I did, She was already proficient with colors, shapes etc...when the director of the day care came and asked me if I wouldn't rather have her in preschool rather than the day care. By the time she was in kindergarten my daughter was reading, doing math poblems and simple science projects. Supposedly statictics show that children who go to preschool are more apt to go into college right out of highschool...I don't know if that is true I do know that now my daughter is in college...

Answer 8

It would depend on the child. If I had a precocious child, then I would say no to preschool. I want to spend time with my precocious child. It's not everyday where a child acts like an adult. As an adult, it is fun to talk to a precocious child. You can't always talk like this to every child. I would just send her straight to first grade. In New York, kindergarten is optional. Apparently most parents don't know this because they always assume that kindergarten is required and that it is good for children. Personally I don't think kindergarten is important. It is important for parents to spend quality time with their children. Our children are so important to us. It's sad that they grow up so fast.

Answer 9

no ; 4 of them; I thought that the time to be young and be at home is so limited; I had a kindergarten teacher tell me that I did a great disservice ; I told her no, you had to do your job, he didn't come in a trained robot so you actually had to teach; my children didn't suffer, in fact they had a great basis , tell me so all the time; we did without to be able to do this which was worth it; money comes and goes but those times are limited; also, I would ask my children why does everyone hang out at our house; my sons' told me , you are the only parent home in a 4 block radius; they played at our house, came over when hurt or a problem; got a snack etc and were supervised; case in point, one of those children /man now pulled into my driveway last night halloween, in his police car ; another one is also a police officer and they drive through our neighborhood keeping an eye on us; my children are all grown now and I miss out on the best times of my life when they were small; they still retain all the childhood friends and one of my sons just got married and they were all there , dancing with me , twirling me around , like they were my own children; I wish that I did even more ; sat down with them more; didn't need to watch my shows ; or wasn't so worried about cleaning the house everyday ; my children are all successful , mature, caring , giving ; we only pass this way once, the things that matter are the thngs with no monetary value on it. I now have my grandson and we get messy making cookies, painting , bubbles , I take him whenever I can and he loves coming over; no housework , just spending time enjoying each other and life.

Answer 10

I sent my older daughter to pre-school. She still had many problems adjusting to kindergarten. Now that she's in first grade, she is doing wonderful. I'm not sending my younger daughter to pre-school because she is not ready to leave my side quite yet. She freaks out if I leave her somewhere like bible study, so I think it just depends on your childs personality how they do in school, pre-school or not.