I have a 3 1/2 year old only child.?

Question

and am wondering how much exposure to other children he needs.? I moved to a new place about 8 months ago and friends are few and far between. I have been with him almost his entire life. (hardly any day care) People are always saying negative things about him not being in preschool or daycare but I don't really see why that matters all that much. My son is very intelligent ,but is also very hypersensitive. I am really worried about his social skills and his seperation anxiety. . Any advice with someone who is in the same situation or was in this situtation. What should I do? And no I am not planning on having any more children.

Answer 1

There is no need to enroll him in preschool, unless you want to. Try a community class (art, music, whatever) and search Yahoo Groups for local playgroups.

My kids are homeschooled, but they have plenty of exposure to other children through activities we do. They are very social. Still, I believe that the primary unit of socialization in the early years should be the family, not a random group of kids at a preschool. I'm not anti-school, but I have found that I am more than able to set up social activities for my children and provide them with enriching educational experiences throughout the day.

If you are not going to do preschool, you need to be VERY proactive about finding friends for your son, and also be strong enough to ignore comments from others about your decision.

BTW, I was an only child, and I loved it.

Answer 2

Children learn to adapt pretty quickly. My daughter was home with her dad her entire life and when she started Pre-K she hated it! With the help of a very determined school teacher (God Bless her) she got into the groove of things and really liked school since. Her social skills are not excellent, but she is handling it just fine. I would say that the best thing you can do is to start talking about school now and explaining to him how great it is going to be and how he will have a bunch of new friends that will be his age and just talk it up as the greatest thing so that when he does start, he will know what to expect. You could try to send him to a small daycare even one day a week so he can get into the swing of things if you think he will have problems with the adjustment.

Answer 3

I actually have 5 children, but I am a preschool teacher. My belief is that he doesn't really need the social interaction until he is ready for school. You could start him in a preschool class when he turns four. (or the start of the next school year) But typically a five year old is ready to start kindergarten and be able to separate from mom at that time. School is there to teach him the social skills and things he needs in that direction. You are there for him all the rest of the time and since he is your child, I wouldn't stress to much about the social stuff. It comes later.

Answer 4

I don't have an only - but my son is 4 and has been home with me since birth (I work from home).
He is the youngest of 4 and I swear by preschool socialization for children. Yes they learn certain things at home - but at a school setting they learn all those little things they will need to get through life. Lining up, following someone besides mom's directions, cutting and pasting lol --- and besides that......generally most kids LOVE IT!
My son goes to a 4 day program and he is miserable on Friday because there isn't any school.
Plus......I get 3 hours a day where I can pee with the door closed and noone is in the bathroom or beating on the door to get into the bathroom.....sheer mommy nirvana!

Answer 5

I would say maybe enroll him in a half day preschool. He could get the best of both worlds. My oldest was in daycare, and she more advanced and social. My second had no daycare/preschool and she was actually behind when she started kinder. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't teach her things, she wasn't interested. Now that I have number three, when is about 3 I am going to send him to half day preschool, both for education and the social aspect.

Answer 6

First, is your infant 3.5 WEEKS or 3.5 YEARS?? My son has a brilliant variety of respiration issues whilst he replace right into a infant too. the suited factor you're able to do to your baby is to maintain him/her far flung from smoking and different issues that are difficult on the lungs. 2d, to help your baby do away with a number of that congestion, supply her or him some Sudafed, if he/she is 3.5 YEARS, not weeks. If this does not sparkling up, then make an appointment and take the child to the well-being care expert. Ask some chamber that grants Albuterol- as allergies medicine. additionally, you may run a warm bathe and set the child in there for a jiffy and the moisture might relax the congestion.

Answer 7

Socializing your child is important. I am not a big supporter of pre-school so I take my kids on play dates and they are also exposed to other children at the gym and at church. I am sure there is some sort of group you can join. Also, your child is old enough now to start gymnastics, dance or soccer. Look into it. It is really exciting to watch them grow into individuals.

Answer 8

He should probably have some socialization. Can you take him to swimming class at the YMCA a couple days a week?
Can he do to day care 2 days a week? You need something to do, as well. Don't you get lonely?

Answer 9

You need to expose him to children in some type of way. I am an only child and my mother really never exposed me to other children and when i got older i found it hard to make friends .Try putting him in bible study or something where he can get some contact with other children good luck.

Answer 10

social interaction is important so he learn how to get along with others and learns how to interact with other people on a daily basis. Taking him to playgrounds, gymboree, music, sports or swimming class is an option without enrolling in a daycare.