Is It Too Early to Begin Preschool? (First Time Mom Unsure)

Hi Kae!
First off...don't let what other people are doing sway what you know in your 'Mama instinct' is right for your child. I am a daycare provider and teach preschool in my program. I think the most important thing for kids at any age is to socialize and learn about their world through play. I have had to explain to parents inquiring about my program that I do not sit down and 'grill' my kids on their ABC's and 123's. All this will come naturally. If you are worried that your child will not be ready for school because they are not reading at 3- all studies point that most kids' skills even out after the first year of school. The most important thing you can do for your child NOW is read to them. Let them hold the book, point out pictures and words...but most of all develop a love of reading. I am a big advocate for early literacy. Get books into the hands of kids. And then there will be that one day when you will be surprised when they read to you. It sounds like you are doing everything right..from having a playmate and being creative. Like I said in the beginning...you know what is right for your child, don't get wrapped up in what other people are doing just to keep up, because in all actuality-you are already ahead of the game.
Good luck! Keep playing and keep reading!

Blessings to you Kae! Being a single mommy is so hard and its so awesome to have a church family support you. You sound like great mom. About preschool...I started my two boys at the age of 3 years and they both went to preschool for 2 years before going off of Kindergarden full time. Boys are sometimes not as ready as girls due to their development, but in my case both of my boys were very ready and were at the "top" of their preschool socially and academically. You don't want to start preschool too soon because children can get bored if they do it too many years. Hopefully that makes sense. It sounds like she is being socialized with the child you are nannying, which is important. And she is with you which even more important in developing self-esteem, so I would probably hold off until she is 3. I'll be praying for you!

Warmly,
J.

I initially had the same worry. When, where, etc. But we have decided to wait until our daughter is older. I am a SAHM, so we go to music classes, toddler classes through the local college and to soccer. And we do them together! I think as long as your child is able to interact with other kids on a regular basis, and you do activities with her, which it sounds like she is, then she is getting what she would out of a pre-school. Plus she is spending time with YOU as well. She is so young still. And I think the more time we can spend with them when they are this age the better. Try not to get pressured into what everyone else is doing. I almost did. :-) Just enjoy your daughter. It sounds like you are doing a great job!

I started my 5 year old in formal type preschool at age 3 1/2 years old. He was showing signs that he was ready for it so that's what we did. Up until that point he was at an in-home daycare but was getting bored. Each child is different and you know yours best so go from there. If you think she'd enjoy and benefit from a more formal setting try one out and if she doesn't like it then no love lost in my opinion.

Good Luck!
T.

I think it definitely depends on the child. But i put my first son in preschool at age 4, my daughter in at age 3 & my youngest son in just before he turned 3. It was the hardest on him!!! But he's learned so much this year...he knows all his colors, shapes, numbers, and can spell his name outloud & write it! :-)

I'm with Janet! It sounds like you're doing a beautiful job interacting with her and offering up lots of play experiences for her. I'd say keep doing what you're doing, and if you start to feel like you're running out of ideas, just check out a pre-school activity book from the library or search online. There's a ton of info out there to help you think about what kind of learning opportunities are important for kids at different ages. I started my daughter at 2 and a half because I felt she needed interaction with other kids on a more regular basis. If I had to do it over (which I kind of do, with my second daughter) I'd probably wait until 3 years of age.

Co-op preschools usually imply that as a parent you commit to a certain number of hours "working" at the preschool.

Keep up the good work!

J.

Generally depending on the pre school they dont take them till their like 3 or 4 and they have to be potty trained, however wherever you live, you should be able to find some great mommy play groups so she has the exposure to other children. I live in Eugene, OR and we have a place called Birth to three and they have some great groups to get involved in where you can meet other mothers, and create play groups. Hope that helps

I'm not a big fan of structured preschools for little kids. I think they need to play, be creative and learn how to interact with other kids. I had all the same concerns you expressed and was so glad to have enrolled my son in the Marysville Coop Preschool. They have two different programs. One is for 18 months to three years and one program is for three to five year olds. We LOVE this program and it is perfect for stay at home moms because it requires a LOT of parental involvement. It's completely child-led. Essentially, it's just a great big play date with a whole bunch of children! The toddler program meets one day a week for two hours requires a parent to stay the entire time. The three to five program requires a parent to stay at least one day out of three (but you can stay more). This program is so much fun for my son. He's allowed to play wherever he wants, so if he wants to paint - he goes to the painting room; if he wants to play dress-up - he goes to the drama room; if he wants to play with blocks . . . well, you get the idea. I can't wait until my 10 month old twins are old enough to start!

You've gotten some great responses! Keep doing what you're doing! Make sure you are introducing lots of different opportunties for learning and you are doing fine. And keep in mind that some kids never go to preschool. ;) It's not required and they can enter first grade just fine, although I think most kids do go to Kindergarten these days.

Coop preschools are run by the parents. There are different degrees, but in general parents attend classes with the child for a certain # of hours a month and are responsible for some aspect of running the class when they are there. Getting snacks ready, reading books o the kids, cleaning the room, kitchen or bathroom, that sort of thing. There is a full time teacher so parents assist and are guided by him/her. Also parents are responsible for some other aspect of running the school like being a Board Member (sec, tresurer, etc.) or lawn maintenence or something. I'm not totally sure what all the jobs are, but there must be enough for all the parents!

I believe 3 is the youngest age and they only go for 2-3 hours 2-3 days a week. Then 4 yr olds go a little longer 3-5 days a week depending on the school. So you have another year before you should even be thinking about it! But it sounds like you've got a great setup as a nanny and raising 2 kids together is enough of a school setting for a while, in my opinion. You can enroll them (or just yours) in classes like art or music or gymnastics or a sport, but just do one class at a time. Take them to places where other kids hang out like parks or the zoo or kids museum. Kids are all about playing. That is how they learn when they are young. So just offer many ways to explore through play time!

I think 20 mo is awfully early to be putting her in preschool alone but there are "wobbler" classes that you can join and do with your daughter. I don't know whewre you live, but if you're in the Bellevue WA area, there's Bellevue Community College and they have FANTASTIC preschool programs where you can meet other moms and get a great experience for your child and yourself. The BCC program is based on a co-op model, which means when your child does go to a co-op preschool, you help in the class when its your turn and you get parent education. As someone who has 3 children and they've all gone through the co-op, I can say that it's in my opinion the best preschool program out there. Good luck!

I agree with Julie and Janet on all comments. You are providing her with all the learning experiences she needs at this age. It's been years since I studied child development but as I remember it at that age it is more important for the child to be with their mother. You could look child development up at the library or on the Internet.

My granddaughter went to preschool which was combined with day care because her mother was working. I think that she was 3. One of the requirments was that she be potty trained. She loved it. But by 3 she was very social and searched out other kids with whom to play.

I think 2 year olds are still side by side players. I think that at 2 a baby still needs to be with a consistent caretaker if not their mother to continue developing a sense of security.

I started my daughter in a program for kids her age 0 -6 and she transitioned her into headstart she started when she was 3 . i am also a singel mom.children who start school earlier generally have less problems.It is also good to stay involved and be active in your childs education

Preschool is typically for kids 3 and older, but you can probably find an education-minded daycare that will take a 2-year-old in the Fall. I don't know anything about a co-op, but I hope you'll ask so you can fill me in! I wouldn't worry about asking, I'm sure the moms will be happy to fill you in on the details.

My daughter is two and her KinderCare level is referred to as "early preschool." Different centers (indeed, different teachers) emphasize the learning differently, but at this age I feel like just socializing her with other kids and getting her to learn new songs and games from other adults is enough. It's a great break from the hard work of mothering, too! There are usually options ranging from 6-8 hours a week to full-time (which only makes sense if you're earning enough money to pay for all that care!)

Cheers!

You are the smartest woman!!! Talk about rejoycing when life is less than perfect!. I was a single Mom most of my 3 children's lives- it is VERY tough- but you sure get to do it your way!!. My 3 are now 26, 32 and 37 - and good, kind, loving people. Coop preschools are often offered by Community Colleges --- they are a group of Moms - with a teacher/advisor from the College - that run a play group/preschool. The cost is much less than a typical preschool and you have the advantage of being part of the staff - cause the Moms do the majority of the work. ( so their down-side is that they often don't work for working Moms - unless your schedule is REALLY flexible) Make sense???? And this Mamasource is the PERFECT place to ask all those questions that you don't want to ask in other environments. You are one smart cookie- and I know the years will see many exciting adventures and so much fun for you --- and I'm not even psychic!!!

''''stumbling forward
rejoicing somehow'''

fondly
J.
aka
Old Mom