Preschool is not a requirement, but for many children it’s a wonderful experience. Call you local elementary school, social service agencies, and churches and get a list of programs to look into. Call those programs and ask what sort of license they have, and what credentials their teachers have. Ask what curriculum they use and what schedule they follow. The schedule should allow for plenty of free choice time for the children to follow their own interests and socialize. Try to observe a class in progress. If you decide to enroll your son in a program, plan to volunteer a little time in the classroom. This will allow you to see firsthand what your child is experiencing. He will learn social skills and gain a firm foundation in literacy, math, science, music, and art and will probably have a blast!

It sounds like you are doing a great job. The only thing he needs preschool for is an opportunity to learn how to function in a larger group and be without you. Kindergarten is so overloaded with work these days that teachers don’t always have time or patience for kids who have separation problems.

You can provide group experiences with library story hours or age appropriate classes in music or art. Most traditional nursery schools have four year olds go three half days a week. This is an excellent way to ease a child into school the year before kindergarten. For a really excellent experience for you and your child look for a cooperative nursery school where parents help out in the classroom on a rotating basis. They tend to be less expensive than other kids of programs and are usually run by a board of directors controlled by parents.

Hi! To answer your question posted, the simple answer is “no”, you don’t “have” to. Actually, Kindergarten is not a required class either, but if you choose that route, the first grade teacher will expect a tremendous amount of knowledge the child must have when your child walks through the door. Not only knowledge, but also verbal and socialization skills will be expected and could be very, very difficult for a child who had no previous experience.

Preschool helps primarily with socialization. Not only do they meet other children of different ages, but also different ethnic backgrounds and different social customs.

At preschool, the primary ideas we teach are socialization and personal safety. We also give them lots of tools to play with, paint with and explore. The children get chances to use pencils, crayons, chalk, play dough and other sensory experiences to strengthen their hand muscles.

We expose them to letters and stories of the alphabet. I personally, expose the alphabet to them by helping them write and understand the letters of their name. When they can do that, then we work on phone numbers and continue from there.

There are lots of very unique experiences that your child can enjoy in preschool. You don’t HAVE to enroll them, but think of what your child can learn if you do.

Take care.

i never went to preschool and i did fine. i wasn’t at the top but i was in the top 25%..there was only 50 of us. I worked at an at-home-daycare in high school and what you do at home…is exactly what we did at the daycare. we watched signing time movies, we learned spanish we did crafts, they had nap time, lunch, snacks, time to play by themselves. the only thing would be him playing with others. some of the older kids(4) who were just starting had hard time sharing toys. as long as you have him around other kids often enough…then i see no point in sending him right now…but maybe when he gets to age 4 send him to half days…you can still work with him after or before school, but he can get used to the school enviroment. but here in IL where i live our preschool was only for kids that were behind. kids that the teachers believe are neglected at home (in learning and general)

If he is already having quandary adjusting to daycare, placing him in preschool for just a few days every week may not support him. It is in all likelihood that he’s going to be disenchanted the times he has to move due to the fact that he’ll be so used to staying residence. I paintings at a daycare/preschool, and the few youngsters who do not pass day-to-day have the toughest time adjusting. So I’ll say all or not anything. Either have him there day-to-day or maintain him residence day-to-day.

Preschool is NOT required. (And in most states neither is kindergarten! Some states still have half-day kinder programs, others have full-day programs–which seems to be the growing trend.)

If you work with your son at home by reading with him, giving him access to crayons, paper, etc., point out alpha letters in environmental print, help him learn the abc song (although knowing the song is not the same as knowing the alphabet by sight), help him start counting and writing his name (first letter capital, the rest lower case), he will be on his way–just do this in the normal course of the day, don’t force it on him. Another plus for pre-school is the socialization–getting along with other students, minding other adults, etc. and not having a tantrum when mom leaves.

Florida has a free voluntary half-day 4 yr. old pre-school program (available at private pre-schools and at public schools) that is open to everyone, space permitting, as the state believes that students that do go to preschool are better prepared for the rigors of kindergarten. We also have full day pre-school for young students at risk due to disabilities.

Many students come into kindergarten well prepared to start their school careers because their parents work with them at home. Others, who did not go to pre-school or who do not have this home support (or who speak a different language at home, benefit from the pre-school experience; pre-school students with learning disabilities can be identified and services can begin in pre-k and continue into regular school without missing a beat. If the disability isn’t suspected until the kindergarten year, valuable time is lost in getting testing and proper placement.

In the end, it will be up to you to decide if you should put your son into pre-school. (Personally, I would keep him at home and work with him and find a playgroup for him to meet with others his age once or twice a week—they grow up sooo fast once they begin kindergarten!)

I think preschool is sort of a socialization period to get kids used to being in a classroom and following a routine. It’s like giving them a jump start on school, making them better prepared for Kindergarten. It also helps to develop basic skills. I think it’s worth doing.

I think preschool is a great idea. It gets them ready for the main school, all preschools are not the same. Some teach colours, numbers and helping them to start reading. It all so teaches them social skills and how to mix with other children.I found it great for my son.

Here is a short version of some of the other answers on here. If you are a good parent (which it sounds like you are) teaching him his abc’s and colors, then that is already a good jumpstart. What you need to look for is if he is people-friendly. If he can work with others, and maintain behavior in a learning environment, then you will have no problem with him! (I recommend it though)

Looks like he’s missing out on some important socialization and social skills. Find a play group once or twice a week so he learns to play w/others and has no fear of leaving mom and can make good choices w/others his age.