At first I was hesitant to send my kids to preschool. But retrospect, I wish I had started them when they were two. The socialization and introduction to school environment are so important.

I am also a mother of a 2 year old little boy. He attends a local private daycare/preschool in the town that I live in. I think it has helped him tremendously. He is learning to count and learning to recognize his colors. Right now he thinks everything is orange. The interaction with all the other children has helped him. He is a very outgoing and happy child anyway. He looks forward to going to "school" every morning. I wish I could be at home with him but since I do have to work I don't think I would want him anywhere else.

hi my daughter will be starting pre-k in the september. I definitely thought about not putting her in because of her age. But then I think it's better to start younger getting her used to children her age and having to sit there and learn. I believe structure is what i'm trying to say. She is 3 and energetic as can be. I rather her get used to it now then two or three years from now. I was watched by an elderly lady from the neighborhood. So I got taught everything her way. Today's education is so much more different. I think it's great that you want ot start him early. Good Luck to you both. I hope he does well.

If I didn't have a great preschool program for our son I would have had to invent it. He is an inquisative, active, social, builder who wants to learn and do things on his own. We switched from a church based program (that had way too many tv days) to a national preschool program and he has really thrived in the new program. The material is age appropriate with plenty of time for the contruction area.

I think that its a great idea to send your child to preschool. He will learn how to interact with other kids and be prepared for "real" school. Also they learn a lot, so its always a good idea. When I was choosing a school for my son, I asked around a lot, and I am also planning to joint a pta, so I will alwasy know what is going on in my childs school. Good luck to you

I think preschool is invaluable for a childs development in terms of building independence, confidence, and enhanced socializations skills. You can absolutely tell the difference between children who have been in a more sheltered environment. Pre-school does can be part time and doesn't have to feel like school. Most kids love it once they full transition. If they don't it is usually more a matter of the fit of the particular shcool. Finally, without preschool kids are at a great disadvantage when they start kindergarten as, unfortunately, the expectations for kindergarten today are more like what first grade was 20 years ago.

I think that we are rushing our children of to preschool way to early at age 2 our babies should still be just that babies. Socialization is great and needed but can be provided in other ways art classes, mommy and me classes, ballet etc.. If you do choose a to go the preschool route look into coopertive preschools. We are sending our children of to schools earlier than ever and well....

pre-school is the greatest. I have nothing but great memories from when I was in pre-k. I can not wait till my sons first day of school ,as well as my son. Its seems that it would help with him being on his own. Don't get me wrong he is independent, However he has not to often been in an enviorment that a pre-school setting has. Being in pre-k would would help children in what would come for kindergarden. Plus it would help me out by giving time for what ever Ineed to do.

I think that pre-school is just great for little ones. I started my guy when he was three. It helped him to make friends, as there was not many other ways for him to meet other kids. It also gave him certain skills. I feel like he will be better prepared for kindergarten and that he will settle in much easier both to the strange new environment as being away from your parents is scary for a kid at first and he will also start learn strait away rather then just start to get used to that whole idea of learning.

on the other side I don't see how it could be bad in any way...

i will like to know the best preschool near to my house. I live in coral gables.

I went to preschool when I was young b/c it was part of the daycare. My 4 yr old Jenna (turned 4 last November) and she started a 3s program last fall and will do a pre-K next year. She loves it and it has really let her get used to the structured class time, learn independence and work with other kids. When I worked full time she was with my mom and when I came home full time she was home with me. She interacted at a play group sponsored by the hospital and they did structured activities w/ parents there and she loved it. She loves preschool! They are doing gymnastics and swimming and take field trips too. My daughter goes to the private program at our local YMCA.
Amy
www.workathome4dreams.com

It is a great idea to send your child to pre-school,they get the advantage of meeting new kids,and gain thier own sense of independence.My little boy went to school this year and loves it.He made some really good friends,and is not so shy any more and he has learned a lot.He seems much happier.So I believe you will be surprised at how much he will like it and the friends he will gain.

I have a boy and from my experience, looking for a preschool for a boy is totally different for a girl.So when you go to the school, pls notice how many boys in this school and how the boys is doing in the class.
That will give you some idea whether the school is good for you boy.Also if you can, pls talk to the teacher who will teach your boy before you send your boy to school.

I think so Preschool is the new Kindergarten. School is so hard now days why not give then every chance you can to do good plus it give you a break

First of all, it is really important to go and visit the preschool you are considering. Make sure things are clean, well-organized and the kids are supervised properly. Do you like the teachers? Do you like the play areas? It's important to know the philosophy of the school whether it's academic or play-based. We decided on a non-academic, play-based co-operative preschool (parents work there 1 day a week). My son went to preschool at 3 1/2 and he made some really good friends there that we still see, even though everyone goes to different kindergartens. The social aspect of playing with a group of kids was great for my son.

I am stay home mom. my son attended preschool when he was 3 1/2 yrs for a few months and then few months when he was 5 yrs old (right before kindergarten). I taught him reading, writing and math. and he is one of the smartest student in the class (acadamically). He looks very social, but he has this hasitation factor when he meets new kids, which I beleive wouldn't be the matter should he had attended the preschool for longer period. so, I beleive it's good idea to send kid's to preschool/ or surround them with lots of kids if you have friends with same age kids (which I lacked). To find the right school, go to check school without making the appointment, and checkout the classroom your child will be attending and see how the teacher/kids are behaving/working on. yes, being social is the main goal of attending the preschool, not acadamic progress only. acadamically, you have to work with you child if you wanna have a smart child, belie.ve me

Thanks for the advice :)

Hi toeseabius,
I have a 5 1/2 year old finishing up his last year of pre-school and I can't imagine him not having had this experience, so I am a firm believer in pre-school. I think most of the research out there will give you good insight into why it's so important. There are different schools of thought in choosing a pre-school. We chose a developmental pre-school which has very little emphasis on academics. The focus is on kids learning to work and play together, how to solve conflicts and what it means to be part of a community. You have to find what you feel is best suited to your family, but for us there was no choice. We feel strongly that with parent involvement like reading to your kids the academics will come. Learning to get along and problem solve is a skill that all kids can use! I doubt you will regret sending you son to pre-school! Good luck.