Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

Talk to me about it....

Christopher will be 2 in April, and I've found some leads on 2 year old programs for September that sound good to me.

DH is hesitant to put him in b/c he feels he is too young, I feel like the socialization will be good for him.

What are the programs like? Are you happy with them? How does DC do in them?

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

It was good for both of my kids, for different reasons.

DD is very shy. Painfully shy. So the socialization was fantastic for her. And it's helped (somewhat) getting her used to changes to her routine, and that it's not always a bad or scary thing. She still freaks out when we do something new, but the meltdowns are much shorter and more manageable.

DS had a slight speech delay. The teachers were better at getting him to use his words than I was. I've spoken to his teacher, his doc and my SIL who is a speech pathologist and we all think a lot of it had to do with his sister not being there to speak for him like she does at home, hard as I try to keep her from doing it.

They both love school. They have recess and snack every day, they do art projects, they have at least one book read to them every day. The 2 year olds have movement (gym), music and library 1x every week. My 3yo also has an art appreciation class weekly. They have show and tell which they get so excited to pick a toy for and tell everyone about.

I was so on the fence about it, I thought they were too young, but it really was great for them. I can't tell you how happy I am we did it.

ETA: Forgot to say they learn a lot of nursery rhymes, songs for all the different holidays. DD is learning about chinese new year right now. DS is so proud when he sings us a new song.

The school teaches the kids that they have to share everything but snack, which is important to me since ds has food allergies.

And our school doesn't really reprimand or punish the kids at all. The teachers will tell a kid that something they are doing makes them sad or another friend sad, but they never say that they are a bad kid or anything like that. The worst punishment is to sit in timeout until they are ready to apologize for taking a toy, hitting, whatever.

Message edited 1/27/2009 2:31:42 PM.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

My DH felt the exact same way as yours does--especially since her b-day is in Sept. and she would have *just* been turning 2. Nevertheless, I enrolled Kate for one day a week; it was 2 hours.

I think the class was pretty free-flowing. They sang, they danced, they had snack and played outside--not a ton of structure, but plenty of opportunity for free-play and socializing.

Let me tell you, my DH told me it was the best decision I've ever made because she did so well even though she's pretty shy. Also once she started nursery this past Sept. she had virtually no transition issues.

In fact, I just enrolled Abby this morning for the same program--but this time I opted to do two days.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

we are currently doing the two year program at our parish's catholic school (full k-8 program)...

it's one hour, one day a week. I stay with DD- but don't interact with her. It's a wonderful program in that it exposes DD to the nursery, the structure, the teacher, and other children (and a few ear infections too- ha ha).

We have been doing this since October and DD has gotten a lot less shy. DD is painfully slow to adapt to new situations, and oftentimes cries when in environments she isn't familar with.

The program we are in has open play for 45 minutes- with different activities children can choose to do: finger paint, sand table, water table. There is also every toy on Earth- kitchen, little people, dress up, blocks, baby carriages, train table, etc.

After the play time, there is a 5 minute clean up period, after which follows snack and the teacher reads a book.

DD has taken very well to the environment and the structure.

What's wonderful, is this is the same room and teacher she will use for nursery next year (3 days a week, 2 1/2 hours a day)- we already enrolled. I don't have to worry about DD adjusting to the environment or the teacher- so I'm very happy for that!!!

oh- in case you're wondering- we are at St. Martin of Tours in Amityville. The 2 year old program is $80 for 10, 1-hour sessions. They run it in the fall & spring.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

I wanted her to start out slowly and just have a short time away from me once a week so when she starts a 3 year program she will be more comfortable. So mostly for the separation and the socialization. Plus the baby will be here in summer so it will be harder to do our usual mommy and me classes. I signed her up for a 1 day a week 2 hour separation program nearby. Basically the moms go for the 1st class then it is up to the child how long you continue to go with them - I was told some moms go for 1 class, others 2,3 or even 5 classes. When we went to check it out DD ran off to play with the other kids and totally didn't notice that I was even there - in fact she threw a fit when I tried to take her home.

Some of our friends want their children in a program several days a week. But I think that for us that is better for 3 or 4 years - for 2 years I just wanted something to get her comfortable and out of the house without me.

BTW not sure if this is an issue - but a lot of the 2 year programs I saw the children had to be potty trained to start or they had to be 2.5 years old by Aug or Sept.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

Posted by KateDevine

Posted by Lillykat



BTW not sure if this is an issue - but a lot of the 2 year programs I saw the children had to be potty trained to start or they had to be 2.5 years old by Aug or Sept.

That's interesting b/c the 4 I called all said they didn't have to be potty trained...

And my DS will be 2 yrs, 5 months in September

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

We definitely plan on sending DD when she is 2 years old. Probaby 1 or 2 days a week. At 3, I hope to do 3 days a week and at 4 possibly 5 days a week.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

We have a wonderful program that utilizes children as mentors for children with disabilities. Grace is one of two kids in her class of 12 that does not have an IEP but receives services as if she were. She works with these other children to model things like speech, motor skills etc. She goes two days a week for 3 hours each and LOVES it. She gets lots of attention(they rotate in groups of 4 or less with a Masters level teacher or service provider). Her language skills, which was always been good, has exploded. I also like that she is exposed to ALL different kids- unlike the very homogenious group she would find at an area school near us. It doesn't hurt that its very affordable.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

Posted by CkGm

We have a wonderful program that utilizes children as mentors for children with disabilities. Grace is one of two kids in her class of 12 that does not have an IEP but receives services as if she were. She works with these other children to model things like speech, motor skills etc. She goes two days a week for 3 hours each and LOVES it. She gets lots of attention(they rotate in groups of 4 or less with a Masters level teacher or service provider). Her language skills, which was always been good, has exploded. I also like that she is exposed to ALL different kids- unlike the very homogenious group she would find at an area school near us. It doesn't hurt that its very affordable.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

I'm just looking into this now for my 26 month old. I wanted to put her into a program this fall (when she'll be almost 3; she turns 3 in November). There are a few places here in Illinois that she won't have to be potty trained for. Those are the ones i'm looking at. I really would like her to start in the spring, but not sure if I'll find any openings. I think it would great for her to learn how to follow directions better. She's becoming very bossy and I'm not doing the best job of stopping that.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

DD started a little school program when she was 23 months. It was a little rough to start - she cried alot - and is alot younger than all the other kids. Most are turning 3 (or have turned 3) since she was born at the end of the year. But now she LOVES it. She goes 3 mornings a week for 3 hours and even eats lunch there.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

Posted by CkGm

We have a wonderful program that utilizes children as mentors for children with disabilities. Grace is one of two kids in her class of 12 that does not have an IEP but receives services as if she were. She works with these other children to model things like speech, motor skills etc. She goes two days a week for 3 hours each and LOVES it. She gets lots of attention(they rotate in groups of 4 or less with a Masters level teacher or service provider). Her language skills, which was always been good, has exploded. I also like that she is exposed to ALL different kids- unlike the very homogenious group she would find at an area school near us. It doesn't hurt that its very affordable.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

Regardless of DS diagnostic, I was going to put him in preschool next September. I took him out of daycare at 11 months and realized that he needed the socialization.

I personally prefer the 2-3 days per week because I am a SAHM during the week and it would have left me with "some" freedom to do other things (aquarium, zoo, museums, etc..).

While we do things at home and out, it's never that organized and non-stop like in an organized setting.

So I am going to try to find him a spot in special needs school anyway.

He will be 2 in June.

We looked at Kiddie Junction in Levitown which I was going to enroll DS in before his diagnostic. They have a slow separation class over the Summer before Pre-school starts in September. It's a bit under 2 hours each time (2 times per week) and the kids leave the moms at some point in the session for 15-20 minutes then come back and mommies hand a snack. It's in July and August.

ETA: a lot of places who takes 18-24 months kids don't need them to be potty trained.

Message edited 1/28/2009 11:35:54 AM.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

Robbie was in a "play school" which started at 18 months. He went 3x a week and I beleieve it was 2 hours a day. He loved it and the social interaction was great for him, because he was really only interacting with adults.

Re: Mommies who put DC in a 2 year old program...

I am enrolling my DS in a 2 year old program in Lindenhurst in Sept.. It is 2 days, 2 hours. It doesnt seem like it has alot of structure either. Play, crafts, snacks. He will be 2 yrs 4 mo by the time it starts in Sept and doesnt have to be ptty trained. If he continues there into the 3 yo program, they like him trained or at least trying and in a pull up.

This was not that expensive and its close to home. Its less per hour than a babysitter! Right now he plays with me and the dog all day so i am hoping this helps him to socialize more than he does now.