The other night we had friends over for dinner. She is a teacher and I asked her this question: "Is it absolutely necessary to put your children in preschool?" I appreciated what she had to say, but thought I would put the same question out there to see what more people have to say about it. I really want to know what you think, so don't hold back. Make your comment as long as you want, or you can email me - deanne.l.peterson@gmail.com
I will be honest and tell you that one of the reasons I keep wavering is because I don't know how much it is going to cost. I think Katelyn would probably enjoy it after she got to know people.
What about Joy School? I know there are some people at church doing it and maybe I could get in on that.
Please, what are your thoughts?
14 comments:
I do joyschool with two other moms in my ward. There are four kids and my Abby loves it. We do two days a week for 2 hours each and rotate houses each week. I really enjoy the curriculum as it teaches goals, order, decisions, etc. There are tons of fun songs you sing and stories, free play time, some craft/art project, and a snack time. AS far as cost its a one time membership fee of $50 and $70 a semester. ONce you pay for a semester you have access to the materials for life. This is what sold me on it because I can do it with all my kids and only pay once. All there curriculum is online and they send you cds. I also like that I know her teachers and the other kids in the program, and I like that I get to teach but also get a break too.
Sorry, one more thing their website is valuesparenting.com
"It is a fundamental truth that the responsibilities of motherhood cannot be successfully delegated. No, not to day-care centers, not to schools, not to nurseries, not to babysitters. We become enamored with men's theories such as the idea of preschool training outside the home for young children. Not only does this put added pressure on the budget, but it places young children in an environment away from mother's influence."
--Ezra Taft Benson
A little strong, but that's my opinion. you know me! ;)
Joy School sounds like a fun way to go!
I think preschool is a good idea. But it's really up to you what to do. I was in preschool and I loved it but I think it was affordable for my parents. I think that's a tough decision.
i say keep them at home as long as humanly possible. i just feel like our society shoves kids out of the nest pretty quickly and your looked at as a wierdo if you don't. i think parents teach their children how to be good people the best. more one on one and nurturing. the reading and writing and math skills comes with age whether preschool is involoved or not. i've met all kinds of kids working in codys classes- some did and some did not go to preschool and they all end up just about the same and all learn to read and write... on the other hand, just getting a much needed break 2 or 3 days a week can be pretty refreshing. maybe a co-op that you are involoved in too. but i wont judge you whether you choose preschool or not....;)
I had Brinley in a co-op school when she was 3 turning 4. there were a total of 6 children in it. It was one day a week for 2 hours. I taught every six weeks. Brinley still remembers it and LOVED it. Plus, it gave us all a little break once a week...kind of like a learning play date and 6 kids wasn't overwhelming.
When we found out about Olivia, which was over the summer the year she turned 4, I put her in a preschool. It was 4 days a week for 2 hours a day. She again LOVED it. Her teacher was awesome and it gave Brinley some structure from her emotionally stressed out mother.
Brinley is very social and gets bored easily. Preschool was a good way for her to play with other children and it didn't seem to be too much for her. She looked forward to it. I helped out in the class room pretty often and am still very much involved in her education still (we put her in a parent involvement program at her school).
When she went to Kindergarten, I made sure that she wasn't in full day. I think thats a bit much for a 5 year old.
Personally, I think that you do wahts bests for you. I was going to homeschool Brinley until we found that her school has an amazing program that I absolutely LOVE and because it's a lot of parent volunteering, I know the other parents care about their kids education just as much as I do and I get to know them all. Plus, the kids are in the same class all through elementry school.
I've been mulling over the same question lately. Ava is ready to start as of this April. As I've thought about it, for Ava, I feel it's a good idea.
Ava needs help learning to sit and listen and follow directions. She is really social and would love those kinds of settings. And honestly, I don't feel that a couple hours a day is pushing her out of the nest. I just want to give her the best opportunities academically, socially and emotionally that I can.
Unfortunately, I'm not a trained teacher so I feel like I can still help her become a good person and give her the opportunity so learn independently from me. Does that make sense?
I've seen how much she has grown since she started nursery, and can just imagine the growth from a pre school setting.
I don't think it is necessary although sometimes nice to get a break. If you are worried about school readiness the internet is full of free preschool activities you can do at home and a playdate once a week works on the social skills. Thats what I do with my kids. Good luck in deciding.
I love Rachel's Joy School program plan - that sounds awesome. I hope they have something like that in my area when Brianna's old enough for preschool.
I also really like Haw's comment and the quote she shared. I'm totally stealing that.
Personally... I have no experience yet, obviously - but my mom told me I was the only one of her 8 children that did not do any preschool at all - just went straight to kindergarten. And obviously, I turned out way better than all my siblings. Combined. So there you have it!
I never knew that there was a quote from President Benson. Makes me feel better about my decision to keep my kids home. Abby is the only one I've done any "pre"- school with. I've been doing Joy school and I love it. Start asking around and see if anyone in the ward is interested. 4-5 kids is ideal. Twice a week for a couple of hours.
I've always felt that if I am staying home I should make it my responsibility to teach my kids and I'm also big on pinching pennies. It just didn't makes sense to me to pay someone to do a job that I could do just fine. The trick is to make the time to do it.
So I didn't read any of the previous comments, so sorry if I repeat something someone already said.
I was totally against preschool for the longest time. I figured there was nothing a preschool could teach Mason that I couln't. Plus the cost can be high.
Then I thought about when the time came for Mason to go to kindergarden. I didn't want to have one of those kids who cling to the parents leg and has to be pried away and then contiues to cry for most of the day.
I figured preschool would be a good way for Mason to get used to being away from me and realize that I will be back for him.
I really like the preschool I have Mason in, the gal is a member of the church, so I don't have to really worry about her teaching him something I don't what taught.
The cost is $59/month. Mush less than most preschools. But maybe higher than joy or co-ops. The preschool is in her home, in what would be the family room, in the basement, so it really does feel like a preschool. Mason loved it from the first day. Infact he told me that I didn't need to walk him in, but I insisted on taking him the first day. I have really enjoyed having that time with just Cooper. I think it has helped him not be so whinny too. I felt bad for a long time that Cooper didn't get much mommy-Cooper time, like Mason got, being the first born. Now I don't have to worry about that.
As for the joy schools, or co-ops. I don't know much about them. But another person in our ward does one of those with three other moms. Her experience has not been the greatest. One of the kids is really unruly. She said she has a really hard time with him but doesn't feel comfortable telling her friend (the mom) that her child is unruly. She is really afraid she will offend her. Plus she says it is a lot of work preparing for her week of teaching.
So I guess what I would tell you is, do your homework first. Whatever you choose is fine. If you choose a preschool, make sure it is one that fits into your values and what you want your daughter(s) taught. If you do a joy or co-op school make sure you have open communtication with the other moms involved so you can feel comfortable going to them with problems, and make sure you really want to commit that extra time to it. But I guess if you don't do either, you would still want to put in some extra time teaching Katelyn all that stuff anyway. It just might not be on such a regular schedule like it would with either preschool, joy, or co-op.
ultimately its up to you as her parent, knowing her strengths and weaknesses, knowing your budget, etc. but i dont think preschool is absolutely necessary. i think kids can benefit from it, but that doesn't mean a child who doesn't go won't be up to par. i think joy school sounds wonderful or just look online for preschool curriculum and do stuff at home, i have found lots of stuff online in looking for kids crafts on preschool websites. good luck.
sommer
I did joy school with Courtney and she loved it ... the rest of the kids went to preschool of one variety or another. Tiff went 3 half days, Kai went 4 half days and Sam went 2 half days. The all loved preschool, I sent them because they wanted to go and they learned a ton. One downside is you have to deal with the things they bring home that they learn from other kids. This is not fun, but gives you an opportunity to have some good discussions with your child. Each child is different, prayer about it and you'll know what's right for Katelyn.
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