So we're struggling with whether or not to put Nathan in Pre-K in the fall...
What is this "Pre-K" anyway? Do we really need it? Kindergarten is the class to get ready for school. Now we need a class to get ready for kindergarten? I actually think it would be good for Nathan and is good for a lot of kids, but I don't know if I'm ready to give him up yet. Am I selfish to want to keep him home for another year? To want to be the main influence on him? I also love the relationship that Nathan and Jared are developing, and I would love to see them play together one more year.
But, I may be pulling my hair out by the time the fall comes around. I know alot of parents want to send the kids to school for the free daycare, and I understand that. But I don't know...
Anyone else having this dilemna or been through this??
6 comments:
I completely understand what you are going through. I struggled with the same decision last year with Josh. There are 2 things that you may want to consider. I don't know how much time your kids have spent socializing with other kids their age. With Josh, my mom watched him and he did do playdates once every other week. However, I still felt like he was behind socially and having no other siblings really didn't help. Pre-K is a wonderful way for them to socialize with kids their own age. The second thing you might want to consider is how education has changed. Since the Pre-K program has grown, they are "beefing up" their program. You might want to consider where your child would stand academically (if they didn't go to Pre-K) against other kids who go through the Pre-K program. The reason I say this is because Josh is in Pre-K this year and he knows all his ABC's, he counts past 100, he is writing words, he is doing basic adding and subtracting and he has already started reading just a couple of months ago (he has to read me books every night!). As you can tell, they really push the kids academically. But I am totally with you- I would love to keep my kiddo all to myself as long as possible. Josh gaining his independence has been very hard for me this year but I see how rewarding it is for him. If you are still hesitant, most schools offer 1/2 day Pre-K as an option and that might be a nice compromise. Hope this helps!
When Anna was a baby, I told myself that I wouldn't want to miss another year with her by sending her to pre-k. But, we haven't had any more kids (yet) and she DESPERATELY needed the social skills for school. Plus, she learned how to do several things like writing letters, numbers, etc, and it really prepared her for kindergarten. When we have another child - we'll send them to pre-k, too, because of all the good it did for Anna. :o) Good luck in deciding!
It totally understand! I went through the same thing with Cooper. I thought the same thing with the "free-daycare" thing, as well. I thought--I stay at home, I don't need anyone watching my kids, but me. I mulled it over and over and came to the conclusion that sending was best though. At the time, they only offered all-day Pre-K, for the most part. I was really not for that. I let the school system know that and they created a 1/2 day pre-k class for those that didn't want all-day. I believe that 1/2 day is widespread through Stillwater now. Yay, 'cause Grey is going this upcoming year. Anyway, I decided that Cooper needed the launguage skills that come w/school...he has been in speech since he was 2. Also, social experiences was a major thing. Then, they really DO learn!! It was fun to see the growth in Cooper. It was also fun to go to his class and see the fun things that they did. I think that the whole experience was a great one, and I am sending Greyson to Pre-K this upcoming year. That said, I believe 1/2 is best...that's just me though. I sent Cooper at 9:00 and picked him up at 11:15. It was a couple of hours. It gave me some one-on-one time with Greyson and then it was time to pick up Cooper.
But you just gotta do what is best for your family. :)
I wish we had non-private pre-k here. I feel it would have benefitted Jos to be in situations where he needed to sit and listen-we struggle even w/Primary. Academically he is great (to be accepted by gov. pre-k you need to be standard-substandard in learning-Jos topped the charts so we wern't accepted which was great, except I feel he would have benefitted. I really like the 1/2 day option in Stillwater. That would have been the route I would have taken. Good luck w/your decision!
Okay, so I don't have kids, but I'm speaking as a ped. nurse here. I really do agree with the importance of social development (and the role social development plays in intellectual development). That said, the social development with in families is also huge.
1/2 day is the way to go. Even better is 1/2 day 2 or 3 days a week instead of 5days.
Preschool rocks!!! I still have some pretty fond memories from my Tues. and Friday 1/2 day preschool. Its where I met Jamie and Cynthia. We totally kicked when it came to music time!!!:)
You seem pretty active at church and I'm sure he gets plenty of socialization there if you were to wait another year.
Just my opinion. Each child is different and you probably know him better than anyone! Go with your gut. And remember that no matter what you decide, Jared has two parents that obviously love him very much and that can't hurt:)
Hey Annie,
Bruce needed something!! He needed a challenge and preschool and Pre-K were really good for him. He loved "going to school" and seeing his friends. I think it is good practice so they won't be thrown in to Kindergarten and not know what to expect. It was also fun for me spending 1 on 1 with Beau before Bree was born.
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