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I find kids need the year of pre-k before kindergarten here. While I'd love to say let kids be kids and let them play, etc. the fact of the matter is our kindergarten is only 3 hours a day and jam packed with material that needs to be taught to get these kids ready for 1st grade. There is no time for "playing" in kindergarten here. I really wish they'd go to full day kindy and then maybe that would change but its not the way it is. One of my dc mom's is a kindy teacher in our school and every year the curriculum just gets more and more demanding. There can be a HUGE learning curve from the kids who went to a "real" pre-k program and the ones who didn't. Is this true for EVERY child - NO. But too many come to kindy not prepared. I teach plenty of life lessons but I am not a teacher, I am a loving, home daycare. My kids usually head to a year of preschool before kindergarten and I encourage it. I do hate when they leave TWO years before kindy. I think that is earlier than necessary.
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Since this is an on-going debate, it reminded me of how a member here posed a challenge to people who strongly believe in the benefits of pre-school and asked that they post proof (actual studies) that showed the benefits of preschool academics for children who were not already academically behind, or living in poverty.
This poster challenged others to find studies they could show/post that proved preschool has it's benefits.
So far no one has been able to do this.
Here is an excellent debate about the benefits of preschool and early education. https://www.daycare.com/forum/showth...fits+preschool
There is definitely two different perspective s with very valid points on each side. I know where i stand but prefer to let others choose for themselves.Last edited by Blackcat31; 06-03-2012, 09:20 AM.Comment
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This. I don't tell my parents one way or another. My children never attended preschool, and are just fine. I don't see any added benefit of them going to preschool, especially since kinder in my county is only for 1/2 days. That is preschool to me, school starts in 1st grade.
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My Grandma told me something that still holds true. Before they go to kindergarten they need some sort of structured program that is more than just mom.
It could be Sunday School a preschool program or library hour. It teaches them to listen to others.
I know these kids that have been with me since birth are ready but they have always had me. Most of them do go to Sunday school and 1x a month the bookmobile comes here for a program and 1x a month a lady from REACH comes and leads an activity. This covers the advise from GrandmaIt:
: will waitComment
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Ok so what about a child who NEEDS to be in preschool? A 4 yr old very difficult dcb here needs structure. He needs to learn he isnt the only being on this earth, he needs to learn how to wait, how to listen to somone besides me, he needs to learn how to make friends, not annoy them so much that they still like him after ten minutes, not cry if he isnt first evrytime, etc.
He has been at my house since he was a todler. Nobody here wants to play with him anymore because he licks them, constantly touches them, doesn't share, doesn't stick with one activity longer than 2minutes (which obv limits play activities), constantly tests their limits.
He does good with me. Can't function at any outside events, bdays, family events, church etc. I know this because he is family :O.
I am a licensed early childhood teacher, and have my parent and family licensure. I do preschool everyday. My own son just turned 3, has been able to write own name since 2 1/2, is kind, knows all shapes, colors, can tell you a million facts about animals, can actually hold a conversation about everything including his imaginary friends. No doubt my daily interactions have helped. This 4 yr old dcb has made little gains since starting our preschool. He needs more than I can offer, more than play alone can provide him.
What I am wondering is how do you make it clear to mom that this child needs it? Our K program has spelling and reading (among a million other things) the first month school starts. This kid doesnt even know the 5 letters in his own name. He is not going to be ready just doing the same we have been doing. I do conferences, mom thinks K ready is a kid who isnt shy. Does anyone have a k ready assessment I can use to show factual evidence of what a k ready kid is? How do I make it clear, this isnt enough for this kid?Comment
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My opinion (only that) - you Can't make it clear to the mom. It is her child. She has to make the decisions and live with them.
I know you love this kid and really want what's best for him, but other than telling the mom straight out your feelings, there isn't much you can do to change her mind.
She must think he's in the best environment right at your place!
That's a wonderful compliment! I know you care, but sometimes we have to let the parent be the parent.
Just IMO.Comment
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I do not encourage my children to attend the so-called preschools in my area at all! I have worked at 3 of them and they are a joke! They do a 20 minute circle time and then the children simply play all day. The teachers NEVER sit and play or interact with the children other then to fuss with them, tell them to sit in time out, or send them to the office. Typically the teachers are chatting with each other about their personal lives or texting on their phones. The kids are running around, hitting each other, taking toys from each other, fighting, yeah, they do have lots of good, well behaved fun, but there's always at least one child harrassing someone. There are ALOT of disruptive children in preschools. I teach my children 1000 times more here in my home daycare then any of those preschools do! I actually got in major trouble for having the 4 year olds learn to write their letters on the chalkboard!
If you are encouraging children to go to preschools, I hope you have researched the preschools in your area and honestly beleive their programs are a good fit for the children you are suggesting them to.Comment
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Actually, I have referred about 4 or so kids to a preschool. Those kids were the types that were horrible to take care of. They needed to go somewhere where they could run more wild all day, be able to bother other children while those children tried to stay away from them, the teacher would be involved in her own adult conversations, and not caring about trying to get the children to use manners or proper grammar. Eventually, after a while, the teacher will get annoyed enough with the child harrassing the others that the teacher will send the child to the office for most of the day.Comment
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Most of them leave at four. I encourage and support that. Four is the perfect age.Comment
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I have a preschool program here and my kids are all reading (usually first grade level), doing math problems, writing their names and and can count to 100. I don't see the point of preschool when the programs around here just teach them letters, colors, and numbers. My kids are too advanced. The only kids I recommend for preschool are autistic kids because they have special training and very small ratios. Head start around here is a joke and most private preschools do not teach reading skills, just colors, numbers and letters and that's as far as they go.
My preschoolers graduate with cap, gown and diploma!Comment
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Oriental Trading sells some really inexpensive child size caps and gowns.
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I have a curriculum in my home daycare. I recommend preschool for the parents to send their child @ age 4. I feel with a preschool program it gets them use to a bigger setting and a more structured setting.Comment
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