https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 01 Jul 2026 19:42:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2410616 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 20:24:43 +0000 Raindrop 2410616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: Excellent info. Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2410602 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 20:09:54 +0000 mrsjyw 2410602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started ds (also a grandmacare baby) at a private preschool part time a few months before 3. It's definitely more activity based vs formal schooling and has been amazing for him to have social interactions and his language has exploded in the last four months, even though he'd been talking prior to that. He only goes three days a week for four hours! He'll stay there until 2017 because of his late bday and kindergarten starts at 5+ around here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2410595 Tue, 05 Jan 2016 20:00:14 +0000 Raindrop 2410595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the comments everyone! </p> <p>I'm still super on the fence on this actually. The more people I talk to the more on the fence this makes me. It would be like one person super for preschool with good reasons and then the next person super for not preschool for good reasons.</p> <p>In fact one of my co-workers sent me this today <a href="http://qz.com/546832/stanford-researchers-show-were-sending-many-children-to-school-way-too-early/" rel="nofollow">http://qz.com/546832/stanford-researchers-show-were-sending-many-children-to-school-way-too-early/</a><br /> Knowing that I was thinking about this.</p> <p>I'm going to do more research and call around my area.</p> <p>I was hoping to find something and have LO start sometime in March or at least by September so he has a full year of school before kindergarten. </p> <p>I'm actually taking it easy about this because from all this talking... it actually sounds like I can't really go wrong. Sending him to school, not sending him to school, what type of school it is, teaching him a bit at home if he shows interests, having him just free play all the time, really anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2407248 Sat, 02 Jan 2016 14:14:55 +0000 honeybear 2407248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I agree with you. I think there is tremendous value for both children and adults to being in an environment that is not artificially segregated by age. Socialization certainly happens within one's family and in the community! </p> <p>@Raindrop: If your son is spending weekdays with Grandma and his little brother, he's getting way more one-on-one time with an adult than any traditional preschool can provide. I wouldn't count a gym class as the "only" socialization he gets unless Grandma is not engaging him at all. I'm betting that she's freaking awesome, though (seriously, not-amazing Grandmas don't agree to help out anywhere near that much!), so I think it's unfair to not count time with her and little bro as "socializing" time, because it certainly is! Even more important, it's <i>positive</i> socialization. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2407239 Sat, 02 Jan 2016 13:48:32 +0000 Greentea 2407239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am surprised, it seems many people, even SAHs, send kids to preschool on HB. Our Kinder starts at age 4, LO will have just turned 4 when she starts, so for us I don't see a need for her to have formal schooling before that. I don't think it is necessary, and isn't popular among the people I know IRL. But there are a million ways to look at things and I assume people have reasons and do what's right for them and their family, just saying I don't think it necessary for all, but our kinder also starts sooner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2407225 Sat, 02 Jan 2016 13:03:57 +0000 gingerbebe 2407225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well granted the education system is different now, but I was grandma/SAHM/family cared for until kindergarten and had mostly adult interaction with some cousins, neighborhood kids, and church interactions. I transitioned just fine, didn't have issues with manners or politeness - if nothing else I had better manners because I'd been around adults. My brother went to traditional preschool from 8-3pm beginning at 3 and he was also fine. Academically I did slightly better than my American raised brother even though I started off in ESL. </p> <p>Most European countries don't even have kids learn how to read until they are 6-7 years old and focus on playing in daycare until then. It seems to bear out in the research that shows that regardless of early education approaches, things more or less even out by the time kids are in 2nd or 3rd grade.</p> <p>I'm not trying to push one method over another - do whatever feels right to you - but I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't think it matters quite as much as people fret about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2407203 Sat, 02 Jan 2016 12:31:27 +0000 Boogs 2407203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: Look into your city's recreations programs. They offer pre-k and usually for a reasonable price. Also, I'm not sure of your exact area, but That Wife posted (a bit on her IG and maybe her site) about how much she loved the school she found for her kids and I think it's near you? She since moved to a bit of a different area, but she might be of help to you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2397537 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 19:18:52 +0000 math.nerd 2397537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: @Autumnmama79: Thanks so much for this! I guess I'm just having trouble choosing between lovely options, so I'm very lucky! I agree - my main goal is that he is loved and feels safe while he gets some socialization. Thanks for the reassurance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2397535 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 19:16:02 +0000 Autumnmama79 2397535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: Yes to what that article says! Preschool experiences should naturally compliment what parents are doing at home and in the community. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2397534 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 19:14:38 +0000 Autumnmama79 2397534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: Awesome! Hopefully theres something in your area :happy: </p> <p>@math.nerd: When I was seeking a preschool for LO, I wanted something that was going to mimic how I would care for and 'teach' her myself. What I ultimately found was a preschool run by an older woman who really LOVED my LO and the other children there. She worked on basic numbers and letters and colours. Nothing crazy, just the right amount. The other important element is socializing in a way that is similar to kindergarten. Circle time, transitions, outside play time, eating together with other children, etc. </p> <p>Top 3<br /> 1. Loving a caring environment<br /> 2. Teaching a few basic skills (writing name, numbers, etc)<br /> 3. Practice socializing</p> <p>Its amazing what a difference we see in children who have vs. haven't had the opportunity to attend preschool. Good luck in your search! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2397533 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 19:13:53 +0000 Raindrop 2397533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@math.nerd: If this helps you.. while waiting for comments. I found this <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/the_kids/2013/01/how_important_is_preschool_if_you_are_researching_early_education_philosophies.2.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/the_kids/2013/01/how_important_is_preschool_if_you_are_researching_early_education_philosophies.2.html</a></p> <p>Basically says if you can fret about what pre-school is best for your kid, it probably doesn't matter which one they go to because they have good parents / good home environment that will actually see them through a successful life. I'm para-phrasing of course. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2397525 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 19:02:22 +0000 math.nerd 2397525@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnmama79: I'm not sure if this is the best place to ask this question - but what do you think breeds the most success in a preschool, as a kindergarten teacher? I'm touring preschools now and I'm finding myself a bit unsure about what makes one "better" than another. Your input would be appreciated! Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2397522 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 18:57:29 +0000 Raindrop 2397522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnmama79: Thanks for the input! Alright I think I'm going to look into getting him in somewhere after the holidays. Hopefully there is an open slot somewhere! Hehe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2397517 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 18:52:11 +0000 Autumnmama79 2397517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think starting preschool next year is a great idea. Having taught kindergarten in the past, it is so incredibly helpful in numerous ways for a child to attend preschool prior to formal schooling. In my opinion as an educator, essential! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2397513 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 18:48:35 +0000 Raindrop 2397513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey: Very interesting. I'm not sure if they offer pre-K here!! I'll look it up. Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2397510 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 18:42:34 +0000 chopsuey 2397510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Raindrop: DD started preschool when she was 3.5 years old. We found a local center and sent her part time. She's in pre-K now (she'll be 5 in March) and attends 4 days a week for 4 hours a day. She's doing well and will start kindergarten fall of 2016.<br /> DS just turned 3 and we plan on having him start preschool in the spring. He'll go 3 days a week for 4 hours a day to start. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-pre-school-thoughts#post-2397487 Tue, 22 Dec 2015 18:15:03 +0000 Raindrop 2397487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For some reason I had a random worry about pre-school today. Maybe I dropped the ball?</p> <p>I think we can still make it to pre-school. He is going to turn 4 next year (March) so he would ideally start pre-school next year and then go to kindergarten the year after. Right now he’s being grandma-cared with his little brother. We do spend a lot of time hanging out and talking and naturally getting him to learn things. So I’m just a little worried about his social skills since he doesn’t interact with other kids on a daily bases (if you don’t count his younger brother).</p> <p>I haven’t looked up or applied for pre-school … which is why I asked and why I’m a little worried. Maybe he won’t even get in?! Should I have applied this year?!</p> <p>We did have him do Gymboree for 2 years (once a week) and now he’s going to little gym once a week. I’m not sure if that’s enough social interactions. </p> <p>Any thoughts? </p>