BTDT Moms 0f Preschoolers - or Moms preparing to send their kids to Preschool ? for you

What are some things that you have done with your child to prepare them for preschool? What age were they?

Also - what exactly do they learn in preschool? Do they start to learn the alphabet? Counting? What are the requirements for them to graduate preschool? Do they need to know how to spell/write their names?

I guess I'm just a curious mom here :)

DD is just starting to speak alot more and repeat everything and I was just looking to find new ideas on what she should be learning and ways to prepare her for the next stage......DD is 2.5 yrs old.

Thanks moms

Re: BTDT Moms 0f Preschoolers - or Moms preparing to send their kids to Preschool ? for you

My DD started pre-pre-school about 2 weeks after she turned 2. It was only 2 hours a week. This September, she turns 3 and will start nursery school.

I don't think she necessarily "learned" anything academically in her little school. I think it was more of a social interaction thing. They colored, painted, read, sang, danced, dressed up--that sort of thing. There was no graduation. The school had a little party at the end of the year. Pre-school is not required for any child, so I'm sure there are no standards a little kid needs to fulfill before moving on to the next level.

We did not necessarily do anything to prepare her. She knows her letters, numbers, colors, shapes. We read to her daily. I'm not sure what else I can do. Honestly, and I am an educator, but I don't want to formally sit down and practice writing with her at 2 years old--there's plenty of time for that and more than enough pressure on students of all grades and ages that I'd rather not start in nursery school--although I'm sure my DH thinks we should.

I can't wait to see her in nursery school!!

Message edited 7/14/2008 4:14:02 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms 0f Preschoolers - or Moms preparing to send their kids to Preschool ? for you

I think 2.5 is the perfect age to start - that's when my daughter started. She went 3 days/week for 2.5 hours. I really did it for the socialization.

This past year she went 3 days/week for full days. She learned colors, shapes, letters and numbers. She also learned a lot of facts about a variety of subject areas. She would come out with facts sometimes that made me say where did you learn that from.

She also learned to spell her name - although she can't write it yet, we're working on it.

This year she will start Pre-K and I can't wait. I will be on maternity leave for a while, so I"m only sending her for 3 full days/week, but if I return to work she will go 5 full days - she's ready.

ETA: I forgot to say how I prepared her...I think I need more preparation than she did...

For her first preschool, we just talked about it and on the first day I planned to stay for a little while. Well, she was ready for me to leave in about 2 minutes.

For her preschool this year we drove past it all the time and she knew that's where she was going. I also planned on staying the first day for a little bit, and this time she needed it. She was a bit more clingy this time around (a lot more kids in the class), but after about 2 months she was fine.

Message edited 7/14/2008 4:47:05 PM.

Re: BTDT Moms 0f Preschoolers - or Moms preparing to send their kids to Preschool ? for you

Andrew is starting in Sept. He will be 28 months old. I am doing nothing to really prepare him. He knows where his school is and every time we pass he tells me that is his school. Also he has been there several times for my niece and nephew.

They really don't "teach" him much until the 3 yr program. This is more to get them used to school.

I am so excited for him!!! He really needs this.

Re: BTDT Moms 0f Preschoolers - or Moms preparing to send their kids to Preschool ? for you

I played up pre-K before they started - told them how they were such big boys, took them on a shopping trip to buy them new 'special' school clothes and supplies. Picking a backpack was a HUGE deal for both of them.

Robbie was pretty advanced - but he came a long way socially in the program we chose. He also learned to swim and gained better coordination, etc..

Both boys had programs that included recognition of shapes, letters, numbers, colors, etc.. Both learned basic phonics and simple word recognition through repitition - a lot of regurgitative learning. They did some math building things - manipulatives were introduced to help understand addition and subtraction.

Noah additionally had basic science concepts introduced. They did experiments and wrote observations. For example - noting the changes in their shadows from morning to afternoon and trying to understand why, etc..

Socially they were taught the difference between independent play and teamwork, sharing, helping classmates, the importance of cleaning up and waiting your turn, etc..