https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:56:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool/page/2#post-865880 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:24:08 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 865880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mewtill: with that particular article, it really helps to read the links to all the original research. It takes out the spin and provides the data. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool/page/2#post-865816 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:56:31 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 865816@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: My only qualm with articles like that Slate one is that it makes preschool sound like a waste of time. I agree that kids from higher SES families fare better academically than kids in low SES families, even with preschool out of the equation. I don't think preschool is a must for every kid (and I certainly think which "type" matters even less), but I do think preschool is good for most kids no matter what academic tests/research shows.</p> <p>Also, people twist this type of research around in order to deny the need for any preschool, thus depriving low SES kids. I wish the research would be taken and articles would be written about how important it is for those kids in need to have access to preschool, rather than saying "Hey [rich] parents, it doesn't matter anyway!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool/page/2#post-865633 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:49:44 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 865633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jedeve: if you follow those kids for 5 years, you'll see most of those gains extinguish in most kids. BUT, I'm with you. I think even early gains are important and that here should be universal pre-K. I simply offer an alternative view for those families that cannot provide these resources, that if they are worrying about this, they'll probably be ok.</p> <p>As you know, I'm very into preschool and am especially supportive of classical Montessori. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool/page/2#post-865470 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:06:29 +0000 jedeve 865470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: Respectfully disagree, based on this article on Oklahoma's universal pre-k program:</p> <p>The gains he found in 2002-2003 were among the biggest ever documented for a universal pre-K program. By the time they started kindergarten, pre-K kids were nine months ahead of their peers with the skills necessary for reading, like recognizing letters and being able to tell stories. They were seven months ahead in pre-writing, including the ability to hold a pencil, and five months ahead in counting and other pre-math skills. The four-year-olds who had been through CAP’s Head Start, as opposed to the regular state pre-K program in Tulsa public schools, were equally ahead in math, though not quite as dramatically ahead when it came to early literacy. (This is likely because Head Start, in addition to its academic goals, has a broader mission, including improving children’s health, establishing their sense of responsibility to society, and increasing their self-worth.) The most impressive part was that the gains were throughout this entire population. Though the poorest kids were helped the most, all of Tulsa’s kids got a boost from pre-K.</p> <p><a href="http://prospect.org/article/pre-k-range" rel="nofollow">http://prospect.org/article/pre-k-range</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864827 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:12:29 +0000 Koolbreeze 864827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: oh how I wish we could do a Montessori school but we live in a small town with none close enough. But that article does make me feel a little better. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864796 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:00:33 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 864796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's a great Slate article about how preschool isn't by and large needed by kids in middle and upper middle class SES. Please note that Classical Montessori did show an effect even for upper middle class kids that was long lasting.</p> <p><a href="http://mobile.slate.com/articles/double_x/the_kids/2013/01/how_important_is_preschool_if_you_are_researching_early_education_philosophies.html?original_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dslate%2Bpreschool%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari" rel="nofollow">http://mobile.slate.com/articles/double_x/the_kids/2013/01/how_important_is_preschool_if_you_are_researching_early_education_philosophies.html?original_referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dslate%2Bpreschool%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864793 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:57:08 +0000 Koolbreeze 864793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mewtill: my son will also be one of the youngest in his class which worries me. I agree it should be play based. When we're at home and play "school" I always follow his lead and don't push it. I'm kinda of worried kindergarten will be too structured but we'll see when we get there. I have been looking for some sort of thing for him to do without me though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864774 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:50:29 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 864774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Koolbreeze: everyone made great observations. I taught preschool for 4 years and then Kindergarten for 3 years. As a K teacher sometimes you can tell which kids haven't had the social aspect of preschool &amp; in the short term that's difficult for them. As a 2nd grade teacher it's rare for me to look at a kid and be able to tell if they did preschool or not. </p> <p>Finding a group setting where your son goes without you is great! Kids who do social groups, but always with a parent often had trouble when it came to being left at school. </p> <p>Also, if you choose to do some preschool, don't go looking for an academic one. Yes, Kindergarten standards are being inflated, but that doesn't mean it's right. Preschool (and heck, most of Kindergarten and even some of 1st!) should be play-based. Young kids need independent play time and learn many many many skills that way. I'm noticing that lots of my 2nd graders aren't very curious, creative, or willing to take risks with their learning and I feel lots of that has to do with lack of play. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864623 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:46:25 +0000 Koolbreeze 864623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsMamaBear: we definitely try to socialize him as much as possible. And were looking into something to put him in for that. Maybe sports or a part time/half day thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864607 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:38:02 +0000 MsMamaBear 864607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I teach Georgia Pre-K, which are 4 yr olds. If your son doesn't go to daycare, he should be socializing with other kids and learning how to work with others and the like. That is a big thing they want kids to know by Kindergarten listening, self control, etc. Basically, how to conduct themselves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864595 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:32:09 +0000 Koolbreeze 864595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: aw! I do remember loving one of my preschool teachers so much! She was such a sweetheart. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864579 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:22:36 +0000 heffalump 864579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Koolbreeze: Yes I was very shy too. But apparently I loved preschool once I was ready for it. I think it has a lot to do with the school, I went to one that was play based. And I had an awesome teacher who my mom is still friends with so I see her all the time, crazy to know that she knew me when I was my LO's age :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864575 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:19:40 +0000 Koolbreeze 864575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@artbee: I remember going to preschool at 3 and 4 and I don't even know how my mom got me to go that young because I was so shy and scared of people. Haha. I didn't even know preschool started as young as 2 until recently. That's so young! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864568 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:15:24 +0000 heffalump 864568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't have set plans for preschool yet. LO is turning 2 soon and not at all ready for preschool. My mom tried to send me at 2 and I hated it so she took me out until I was 3. I feel like LO is pretty similar to me so I'm just going to wait until she's 3 and she how I feel then, and even then she'll just go part time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864559 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:11:35 +0000 Koolbreeze 864559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>And thank you everyone for your thoughts and opinions! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864557 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:10:57 +0000 Koolbreeze 864557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Cowgirl: oh, thank you! I've been reading through it and love it! We have been talking about part time something or sports though for social interaction too. </p> <p>@Ree723: I agree with you! Everyone I know does full time preschool asap and I just want to treasure all the time I have before sending him off to kindergarten full time!! I've been looking all over for part time stuff but its so hard to find where I live (super small town). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864514 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:23:20 +0000 Ree723 864514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think preschool is important for learning school readiness skills as others have pointed out (waiting in line, following a schedule, having to follow rules in a large setting etc) but I definitely do NOT think it is necessary for academic reasons. It makes me a bit sad when I see three year olds going to full time preschool (a full day, 5 days per week); I think that's way too much and unnecessary.</p> <p>We will send our LO(s) to preschool when they are four, but only two or three mornings per week for about 2.5 hrs each time. I think that's plenty of time to learn what they need to and to be honest, I want to soak up as much time with my children as possible before they head off into full time school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864487 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:56:03 +0000 BananaPancakes 864487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man, I can't wait for my 14 month old to go to preschool. I wasn't even thinking about kindergarten readiness, though. I'm just so excited at the thought of him getting to socialize with other kids his age. He doesn't go to daycare and really loves other kids, so I think he'll have a blast! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864481 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:48:55 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 864481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I agree. Pre-school is definitely in my children's future. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-864478 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:41:33 +0000 Mrs. Cowgirl 864478@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Koolbreeze: I did a series of posts on Kindergarten readiness back in the fall: <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2012/11/20/the-new-kindergarten-how-to-prepare/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2012/11/20/the-new-kindergarten-how-to-prepare/</a> ! </p> <p>I totally agree with @lilteacherbee: that there is a lot that you can do at home to prepare, but that socialization, as @looch: also mentioned is very important. </p> <p>Academically, he already sounds like he's got a lot under his belt! The social piece is a little trickier to address outside of a school setting, but any programs where he can practice separating from you (sports classes, Sunday school etc) and practice being in a group situation with other kids would be really helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-863149 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:54:30 +0000 MrsTiz 863149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: that is exactly what I tell my SIL everytime it gets brought up. It's not so much for the education but it is for learning how to share, take direction from someone other than the parents, sit still, focus, wait their turn, and socialize with others.</p> <p>Our LO will go to preschool, it's not even a question. I think some sort of preschool is a great idea, half days or even a few days a week can't possibly hurt! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-863109 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:44:22 +0000 Koolbreeze 863109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lilteacherbee: oh I'm so glad to have a preschool teachers input. My son can spell and write his first name, spell his last, can write 1-10, write some other letters, count to 20, and more. I do wonder what he's suppose to know before kindergarten academically. We do "school" a lot though and he loves to sit and learn for hours, with me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-863105 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:43:36 +0000 Mrs. Twine 863105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A lot depends on the child. Ellie went to preschool not because she needed it academically but because she desperately needed it socially and in terms of being able to adjust to full-day kindergarten when that came. We've been considering doing homeschooling, but right now are so concerned about how and where she would learn and exercise her social skills with other adults and children that we probably will send her back to the school she was at last year, despite some problems and concerns. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-863087 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:40:45 +0000 Koolbreeze 863087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rawrasaur: I agree with you and we definitely give him tons of opportunity to socialize and play with other kids. </p> <p>@HLK208: I have thought about story time or something. I think our Y has a "mother's morning out" program for preschoolers. </p> <p>@aprk: sometimes I dream of homeschooling but I'm still not sure and heavily leaning toward public school. </p> <p>Thank you everyone for your replies. I totally understand the social learning that comes with preschool. If we were to do anything it would be a couple days a week at most. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-863085 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:40:39 +0000 lilteacherbee 863085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a preschool teacher, here's my take. I teach in an at-risk state funded program, so those kids really need it. </p> <p>For "average" families, it really depends. A lot of kids really need the time in preschool to be prepared for the expectations in kindergarten- following directions, sitting quietly, etc. The socialization and all that is pretty important for most kids, regardless of whether they really need the academic portion. However, kindergarten is getting harder and in my state, they expect kindergarteners to know how to write their whole names and recognize letters at the beginning of the year. Depending on some kids' personalities, it may be hard for parents to teach them at home. But the parent always knows the child and their family best! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-863041 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:31:26 +0000 HLK208 863041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think as long as you socialize your child with other children, not just adults along with doing arts and crafts, counting, writing their name, listening to directions and learning the ABC's then preschool isn't necessary.</p> <p>Maybe play groups or story time at the library once in awhile too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-863037 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:29:58 +0000 banana 863037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram @looch: I agree! I think the hardest part about trying to teach these non-academic things at home is that preschoolers tend to have herd mentality. So if they see another kid (or a group of kids) do something, they tend to follow suit. It's hard to teach them these things at home when they're the only ones there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-863032 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:28:47 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 863032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: that's a great point!</p> <p>when DD first started preschool... in just 2 weeks after when i put her in our church's children's ministry, the director asked me if she had started going to school. i said, "yes! how did you know that?"... and she said because she could tell that DD was good at following directions and understood sequencing really well. she was great about circle time, and group activities... that sort of thing that i probably wouldn't have been able to provide at home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-863030 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:27:59 +0000 looch 863030@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: yes, exactly. If my son wants to play cars, we play cars. In a school setting, he has to learn to wait and that it's not all about him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-else-not-sending-their-children-to-preschool#post-863027 Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:27:10 +0000 aprk 863027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: yeah. I was thinking only two days a week for example, as PT. </p> <p>@Koolbreeze: we are considering homeschool so it's a whole different conversation for us </p>