| ugh it may seem like you just brought your baby | | | | and home. |
| home from the hospital, the time may have | | | | Most kindergarten programs are full day programs |
| come that you are now considering whether or | | | | now so it can be quite a difficult transition from |
| not preschool is right for your child. Sending a child | | | | staying home all day with mom to suddenly |
| off to preschool is always a subject of debate | | | | having to go to school for six hours a day. In |
| that is equally divided amongst experts and | | | | many ways, this forms a transition period for |
| parents alike as to whether preschool is the best | | | | both the parent and the child. |
| option for children. | | | | Bad Idea |
| The debate largely surrounds the idea of whether | | | | There are just as many experts and parents on |
| a parent can supply the type of socialization and | | | | the other side of the coin who deplore the idea of |
| learning that takes place in a structured | | | | sending tiny tots off into the world to |
| environment. Let’s take a look at the two | | | | “fend for themselves”. These |
| sides. | | | | folks think of the structured setting as a waste |
| Good Idea | | | | of time and even think that it might be |
| Many experts and moms alike agree that | | | | detrimental to the child. |
| preschool is the perfect setting for a child to learn | | | | Many parents feel that they are the best |
| in. The educational system has really changed and | | | | teachers for their children at this age and feel |
| modern expectations hold that children entering | | | | that shipping them off to school prematurely is a |
| kindergarten should know basic things like their | | | | waste of time and money. Their stance is that |
| numbers and “ABCs” that were | | | | children only get to be children for such a short |
| once taught only in kindergarten. | | | | period of time that enrolling them into school too |
| Many experts say that most parents will not | | | | early only cuts into those precious few years that |
| spend the time and effort needed to teach a child | | | | they get to spend at home with mom or dad. |
| the way an organized learning environment will. | | | | There are some experts that feel putting a |
| They also site the socialization factors as well. | | | | young child in preschool can actually hinder the |
| Basically preschool has replaced what kindergarten | | | | learning process because they are so young and |
| was once geared to do. | | | | do not have the cognitive ability to learn what is |
| Kindergarten used to be the place where a child | | | | being taught – and some further cit that |
| went to learn group based social skills, but these | | | | preschool is a competitive type of setting that |
| are now required prior to beginning kindergarten | | | | can actually turn the child “off” |
| – and that’s why this type of | | | | when it comes to learning. |
| setting prior to entering “real | | | | The choice to put your child in preschool or not is |
| school” is recommended by so many. | | | | a personal decision and should be based on the |
| Experts also cite the idea that children learn | | | | maturity of the child and the level of comfort |
| better when they are in a group of peers. | | | | that both parents and child feel with the idea. |
| Preschool also provides moms with a little down | | | | Your child may be ready to get out there and |
| time as well, while working to wean the child from | | | | meet new people and learn, or he may need a |
| being at home all day with mom. In this way, a | | | | couple of more years at home with you. That |
| structured setting can be a stepping stone to | | | | decision, ultimately, lies in your hands. |
| kindergarten without the sudden split from mom | | | | |