by Marie L.
Member since:
June 25, 2007

How Important is Preschool?

August 15, 2007 04:31 PM EDT
views: 803 | comments: 28

So how important do you feel preschool is in preparing for Kindgarten?  We are thinking of pulling Alex (almost 5) from preschool (she goes 3 days a week) and letting her stay with Grandma during the week so we can save some money -- the costs for her and her brother are a big chunk out of our monthly income.  Grandma (and Grandpa) want to have her and have they have always taken care of her a few days each week since she was 12 weeks old.  Alex certainly won't mind although I suspect that she will  miss the friends she has made at the school.  She will be starting Kindergarten one year from now.

But I wondered what others thought about the whole preschool issue -- I know there are preschools that have year long waitlists and I know there are parents who really feel it's needed so the child doesn't 'fall behind".  On the other hand, I never went to preschool at all (preschool wasn't that popular then) and did very well in school. 

 I'd love to hear what others think -- how important is preschool?  Socially?  Academically?  

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Comments: 28

Cindy Green (Romance Author) Aug 15, 2007, 4:35pm EDT
I taught Kindergarten in the past. I would say if your daughter is being socialized outside the classroom, then she is fine socially. Academically, if she can count to 20, knows her colors, shapes, letters and can use a pencil -- she will be doing great for Kindergarten. There is no reason she can't learn all that at home.
Margy O. Aug 15, 2007, 5:06pm EDT
Will she have friends to play with at her grandparents? That's the most important part of preschool. Sesame Street can do the rest. As was said, if she can do the things mentioned, she'll be fine. If you can get her to write her name, she'll be ahead.

Cat-House Sonnets
Peter Joseph Swanson Aug 15, 2007, 5:16pm EDT
It all depends on the quality of preschool and the quality of grandma.

And COST is a HUGE thing to consider!!!!!
Trudy P. Aug 15, 2007, 5:17pm EDT
I would say pull her out.... she needs some grandma time and she will learn much more from you than she will from being in preschool. If you are worried about interaction with other children take her to the park or get involved in a play group. She will be in school next year, it's not that far away for her. Practice writing her name with her, get her activity books to work in. Read to her a lot, she'll be much better off for it.
Angie m. Aug 15, 2007, 5:41pm EDT
I put my daughter in pre-school and I thought it accomplished a lot! By the time it ended she knew how to write all the alphabet, spell her first and last name, count up to 20, etc... She went for 2.5 hours a day and I think it was good for her. I tried to teach her at home but she wouldn't listen to me as well as she would in school.
Heather W. Aug 16, 2007, 2:04am EDT
If you do school based activities in the home, that is good
if you send them to an educational preschool, that is good too
Basically the earlier you start working on cognitive development, the better.
Leslie "Missy" T. Aug 16, 2007, 10:25am EDT
My oldest two never went preschool and did fine. My daughter's Kindergarten teacher asked me if she went to preschool because of how well she was doing. She was reading by then, but just because they go to preschool doesn't necessarily mean they'll do better. I think it's a good thing, but keeping them home while you still can and not rushing the whole school thing is a good thing too, as long as they are taught ABC's and 123's and colors,shapes, basic stuff. Saving money doesn't hurt either!
Marie L. Aug 16, 2007, 3:14pm EDT
Thank you everyone for the wonderful input, it's really helped me think this through. Grandma is really good with Alex and we've talked about making sure they spend some time reviewing the basics that she will need for kindergarten. She knows her letters and numbers, how to write her name, colors, shapes, and some basic math (simple addition/subtraction). She has wonderful verbal skills and will still have social time with the kids at Sunday preschool and the kids who live next door to Grandma. Grandma has even promised to take her on a weekly "field trip" to places like the art musuem and parks, etc. Makes me wish I was going instead of being at work :-)
Lilith Dorsey Aug 17, 2007, 4:29pm EDT
Someone I know slept out all night for the chance too send her newborn to our alma mater, at a whopping 18,000 a year. I feel that socialization is important, maybe you could have the grandparents try to attend a library play time or something. this would still allow for friends the child's own age.
Marilyn M. Aug 17, 2007, 4:44pm EDT
I think the preschool issue depends a lot on the child and on the family. For instance, a neighbor of mine wants to keep her child home until kindergarten. She sleeps until almost noon and lets the kid do as he pleases while she sleeps. He would be better off in a preschool environment.

But a child who can benefit from the widsom of a grandma - one who wants to take her on field trips? I think that will be an awesome adventure for them.

You can always find out from your local kindergarten what they expect a child to know. (I've lived in 5 different states, and it does vary.) The school district doesn't care how the child learns those basics.
Robert S. Aug 18, 2007, 12:42pm EDT
I was thinking about preschool DVD's!
I believe in learning developement even at the daycare level. Always trying to make the learning experience more like a game that's fun. Pre-schools here go just like kindergartners, every day.
julie (I want your coke codes) Aug 21, 2007, 3:37pm EDT
I would have tos ay that this ais a personal decision that you will have to consider all the good and bad and see what is best for your family. Personally I am a stay-at-home mom and I work with my daughters a couple times a week on "school stuff" and they love it. No I dont do it like they would in a preschool, but it works for us. Also just try to incoperate learning into everday things "how many fries do you have left?" etc... and she will still get the preschool knowledge w/o the nice price tag! And spending time w/ Grandma and Grandpa is deffinetly a plus! I dont see what it could hurt! I say go for it!
julie (I want your coke codes) Aug 21, 2007, 3:38pm EDT
and wowsers! I do know how to spell, just my fingers go faster then my brain lol, sorry for all the typos
Rebecca ~*Meow*~ B. Aug 22, 2007, 10:40pm EDT
My son did pre-school last year and is doing it again this year. He learned NOTHING. He had absolutely no interest in learning. He just wanted to play.
I think it all depends on the kid. If you feel like she has enough social skills then not going will not be a detriment.
Laurun M. Aug 23, 2007, 4:50pm EDT
I had to cut my daughter short on her last year of preschool because of finances. I felt bad but she doesn't even remember it. As long as you are doing some home-school activities (there are some great suggestions here) and take her to some social activities she'll be fine. There is so much out there and as Lilith suggested the Library is a wonderful place to start.
how many kids get to spend quality time with grandparents??? forget pre-school...my daughter didn't go to pre-school and is now 19..she did just fine.
Deb J. Aug 31, 2007, 8:56pm EDT
I agree with Cindy. I never sent my kids to preschool. Started them right in Kindergarten and they did just fine. I wanted to be with them as much as I could before they were legally required to be in school and I always hated to put them into the school system! I hate to see my daughter go back on Tues. and she is already in the 3rd grade.
Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. Sep 1, 2007, 5:00am EDT
I hope it's not important because my niece has not been potty trained and will be skipping preschool. I hope she goes to Head Start next year.

So, Deb, I guess you'll be pretty lonely on Tuesday!
Leslie ~ from NYC ~ R. Sep 6, 2007, 3:30pm EDT
Lately, there is so much "learning" in kindergarten, that the socialization and the preparation for learning takes place in pre-school.
I have a list of activities that will help a child be ready for school learning - they are activities you probably are very well aware of, but analyzed for educational purposes.
I have been a teacher for over 30 years - elementary, high school and junior college.
Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Sep 7, 2007, 9:44pm EDT
Leslie makes a good point. Kindergarten isn't what it was twenty years ago, when my last one was there. My grandchildren had spelling tests, worked math problems, and wrote book reports in kindergarten.
Jean E. Sep 10, 2007, 6:27pm EDT
hmmm - don't have kids - but there are some interesting answers here ~j
Tiffany G. Sep 12, 2007, 4:28pm EDT
My daughter went to pre school and loved it.. they went all day and it was free! Preschool in our town is part of SCHOOL now!

If grandma does not mind teaching her to write her whole name, letters would be GREAT.. she will need to know her address and phone number.. those are some main things they learned and numbers as high as you can go is best!

I thought pre k at our school is pretty much the same as Kindergarten. They really learned ALOT in pre-k. here!!

Good Luck on your choice! Let us know what ya decide
Tracey E. Sep 13, 2007, 9:53am EDT
Well since schools are expecting your child to be a brain surgeon when they enter Kindergarten, I think that some type of early learning is totally necessary.
My kids were all day-care kids and they also got all of their illnesses over before school started which was a big plus. My kids didn't get as sick as stay-at-home kids.
My kids also learned how to share and play with others.
Timothy S. Sep 14, 2007, 11:03am EDT
Were home schooling our two youngest boys.. One pre-school age, one kindergarden age! The alternative is a failing rated, racist school, where they wouldn't learn anything but hate!
Tab B. Sep 19, 2007, 11:50am EDT
I didn't go to preschool and did well in school myself. I am now homeschooling my K-5 who is ahead already of what she is learning. My 3 yr old son want to sit beside her and learn, so I might start him next year in Pre-k (at home of course!)
Jennifer U. Jul 15, 2008, 8:02pm EDT
I agree with the others. it really isn't that important they attend a preschool. It is to expensive. Pretty much anyone can teach letters and colors and shapes and numbers. If Elmo can you can. The hard part for most is socializing them with other children around the same age and getting them to work as a team doing something.
But if you look hard enough in your area you'll find a group of parents looking for the same thing.
Good luck and have fun!
Ann W. Jun 4, 2009, 10:50pm EDT

I pulled my daughter out of 4 year old preschool.  She just wasn't challenged enough.  I agree that if they have socialization skills, they are fine.

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