Preschool?

04-13-2004, 08:11 AM

My son is 2 1/2. We're planning to home school him. But, I'm wondering about what others have done for pre-school.

Also, would you talk about what you've done to make sure he gets enough interaction wiht his peers. We do the regular go to the playground, storytime, etc., but it doesn't seem to be enough time with other kids for him to really "get to know" other kids.

Thanks in advance for your comments!

Bruinsmama · 04-13-2004, 07:29 PM

Hello
I am a former Preschool Teacher. My advice would be that if you do send your child to a "formal" Preschool to do it on a part-time basis. Like a few days a week, 1/2 days. Then they get the benefits of socialization, etc without "burning out".

My son is just turning 2. I am going to follow my own advice and send him part-time to a private Preschool program, but not until he turns 3.

We take advantage of Library Storytime, and also some bookstores also offer a storytime.These programs are great because they are FREE! There are some art & music progarms that we will be looking into in the Fall. I prefer ones that are on "a pay-as you-attend "schedule rather than sigingin up for a block of several weeks and feeling committed to go. Also it can be very pricey to sign up like that!

We also go to the Zoo or even the Supermarket or Mall! There are always Kids there and sometimes free & fun things for Kids to do.
I hope that I was

ful to you! Feel free to PM me anytime & pick my brain. I was in Childcare for 12 years before I had my own kid!

Chris

kylan'smom · 04-14-2004, 12:57 AM

I have stayed home with Kylan for over two years and just now have "released" him to a pre-school program, only part time though. It sounds as if Bruinsmama and I have a lot in common by using the library activities. I also took advantage of the free "Parent as Teacher" Program offered by the local Family Resource Center. It is a nationwide program sponsered and supported by the local school districts, that offers goup play and activity sessions to stay at home mothers and their children. I also contacted the local Moms Club chapter in my area once I moved here. Very minimal fee to join ($20.00 per year here) and it offers your child the socialization skills he will need later in life while remaining under your supervision. My son is well above the educational level of a normal 2 year old class in a pre-school program environment; however, if he is not constantly inolved in other group activities, he would have fallen so far behind in his socializatin skills. I urge ALL home school parents to recognize the importance of this skill. How many times do you come in contact with people in the course of the day? Understand that your child will encounter this as well and the skills he/she gains in childhood will carry through his/her adult life.

Hope this

s

Angie

Bruinsmama · 09-07-2004, 10:26 PM

Anyone have kids starting Preschool this month? My son is going NEXT year, he will be 3 yrs and 4 months then! Part time 1/2 day 2-3 days a week.

we went to Open House last week and he loved it!

Chris

lulu · 09-08-2004, 09:26 PM

My nephew, Jett, started pre-school this month. He goes three days a week for half a day at a new Jewish center in town. No, they are not jewish. It is a fantastic program and a brand new school. He likes it but trys to play the guilt card with his parents to stay home!

I sent my kids to pre-school when they were four through a program called Early Discoveries through the YMCA. It was a great program. I only sent one child when they were three, Billieanne, and it was one day a week.

MaryEllen · 09-24-2004, 08:13 PM

I would not send my child to pre-school.! The neighbor kids go and it shows! They curse and make crude/vulgar comments and actions toward my dd. She's just turned 3yo and already know more "schooly stuff than the boys do.

We are not doing anything formally yet. There are many sites you can go to to get ideas of fun things to do. Here's my list:

http://www.users.rapid.net.uk/catphonics/contents.htm
http://www.dltk-kids.com/
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/owlmouse.htm
http://www.starfall.com/n/level-a/index/load.htm
http://www.songsforteaching.com/PA.html
http://www.preschoolersandpeace.com/
http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/preschool/index.htm
http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/index.html
http://www.downloadlearning.com/downloads/index.html
http://www.reading-tutors.com/
http://www.valdosta.edu/~degeorge/topic.html
http://www.niteowl.org/kids/hpdcolor.html
http://www.first-school.ws/
http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/go/jump2.cgi?ID=2307
http://www.teach-nology.com/workshee...ildhood/nurse/
http://www.storyplace.org/preschool/...asp?themeid=21
http://www.storyplace.org/storyplace.asp
http://www.geocities.com/mamabrown_1122/index.html

Bruinsmama · 09-25-2004, 05:27 PM

Thanks Maryellen for the website

s.
The schools here are quite dreadful as well. When my son goes, he is going to Private (Catholic) school & I plan on being a very strong presence there.

Chris

chickiepoo · 09-25-2004, 06:19 PM

I don't like the way most pre-schools are run around here. It's more like a glorified day care service with very little "learning" involved.
As for sending Steven to a pre-school, Spencer and I agree wholeheartedly on this: No!
We will wait until Kindegarten. Depending on how he does will determine if we keep him in school or not.
Here in WA State, a child doesn't have to be declared as a homeschooler or going to school until they are 8.

Ellie

angelkatey · 09-30-2004, 05:28 PM

my son went to pre-school for two years and it was a good thing for him

Marie