Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

DD is 2 (January bday) and I wanted to sign her up for preschool this sept. DH was telling his friend about this and he told him that she would then be in preschool for 3 years til kindergarten. My thought is so what, it's school.
What are your thoughts? Is it too much for a 2YO?

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

We sent DD at 2yrs and 3 months for 2 3hour sessions a week. I see nothing wrong with it, it's not like school-school, where she's chained to a desk and not having fun. She does 1 little project, has 2 snack times and either indoor or outdoor free play. It was all about the socialization for me. She'll be going 3 days as of Sept and then pre-k the year after.

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

That is what I wanted her to get out of it - the socialization. Plus it's only 2 hours 2 days a week. I forgot about pre-k.

Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

I agree.. so what?
AJ was accepted into a Montessori Pre-k 2 at 18m
Makes no diff. Like PP said, its not like she's got a book in her face. its just more directed play time is all. What harm can it do?

She was in pre-k from 2 to 4 and then school at age 5. It was only 2yrs for us because her bday is just before school starts. I think it really helped her. My biggest benefit? that year of constant colds and sicknesses meant none at all her kinder year. Not one single sick day all year. WHOOHOO

Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

I don't think its too much. Nothing wrong with learning and socializing at an early age.

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

well here is my feeling

my kids have been in fulltime "daycare" since 10 weeks. M-F 8am-530pm.

From day 1, it is a learning environment.

So, no, IMO, NOT too much Never too much learning and socialization!

Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

My son is also going to preschool starting this fall when he'll be 2.5. I don't think it's too much since it's not "academic" in a homework or test-taking type of way. I'm sending him because, among other reasons, he would benefit from more socialization with other kids his age and he will get to do really neat things and have neat experiences that my parents (his current caretakers while my husband and I work full time) can't provide. I mean, there are children who are in full time daycare from 6 weeks old, so I personally don't think preschool for X hours a day, X days a week, is overwhelming.

ETA: It looks everyone else already posted what I thought, while I was typing out my response. =)

Message edited 6/24/2014 12:22:27 PM.

Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

My son is in daycare for 10+ hrs a day and its learning not just playing. He has been there since 8 weeks. he surely doesn't think its too much. He asks to go sometimes on the weekend.

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

I agree with you husband. Kids are in school long enough. Let them be kids and if you don't have to send them don't send them at 2. I understand people need to send there kids to daycare and that is a different situation.

Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

My twins will be 3 in Oct & we are just starting now in Sept 2014
They will go 2x week 9-11:30
I say also, enjoy the time with them if you can. Plenty of mommy & me you can do ... why rush it.

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

DS1 has been in daycare since 3 months old. I left my job when he was 3 and has been in school since. Just a lot less hours.

DS2 started at mommy and me at around 18 months. Then I did transition when he was a year and a half then at little after 2 went to the preschool there. He goes 2 days a week for 3 hours. He will be 3 in a couple of weeks and going the summer camp program at the preschool 3 days a week and also in Sept. He LOVES it there. He's active, made friends, became social and from the crazy, nonstop boy that never listened honestly calmed down a lot from preschool.
He runs into school and LOVES his teachers.
If you think your LO is ready then go for it. It's not going to harm them. Can only help

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

Posted by maymama

well here is my feeling

my kids have been in fulltime "daycare" since 10 weeks. M-F 8am-530pm.

From day 1, it is a learning environment.

So, no, IMO, NOT too much Never too much learning and socialization!

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

Mine is born in January too. I'm not sending her this year.

My reasons:
1. She'll have enough school in her life. I went through too much school & I didn't go to a day of pre-school.
2. DS started pre-school at exactly 3 & didn't really start to get much out of it until 3.5 (it's an academic Montessori which I love).
3. DD is the second child, her social skills are not an issue
4. We hire a babysitter FT anyway because I'm a FTWM.

I can see sending the kid too... especially if it's a first child or you are a SAHM & need a break... but for an added expense & added inconvenience, it's not worth it for me.

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

I sent DS to nursery when he was 2..turning 3 end of Nov and he learned so much. He will be going to camp full time this summer and is looking forward to it and also cannot wait to start prek in sept. I say go for it. And when they are that age 2-3-4 they do learn but in a fun way. It was great for DS socialization, he is maily around adults and I felt he needed to be around kids to learn how to interact with them.

Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

He will almost be 3 - I think it is the right time to send him.

Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

dd started in a 2's program at 2 1/2. Started in Jan turned 3 in May. Went to a 3's class this year and a 4's next. She did amazing and loved every moment of it. I am a sahm and was pregnant with dd2 and I needed a break and toward the end couldn't do much with dd1 so school was perfect. She went 2 days a week 9-1. I think it's perfect. 2's program are becoming more and more popular

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

I think it's up to what you feel comfortable with for your child. For me, my DD just turned 3 & won't be going to "school" until pre-k at 4. She's a social butterfly already, knows her letters, numbers, etc. and I just bought a calendar center & some preschool work books to play "school" at home.

She goes to dance & has no problems following the teachers directions or sitting for circle time etc.

I feel why send her if she's thriving at home with me. Plus I SAHM, so we'd rather not spend the money on school just yet.

So to each their own, I don't think you should let your friend's comments change your mind if you think your LO is ready. :)

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

I think it's a good idea for socialization purposes. It's not like you have to send them for full days.
They also learn a lot, and they learn to be away from you for a little while.
I think it's a great thing.

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

My son is a January b-day also and I started "school" the September before he turned 3. It was perfect. He only went 2 days per week (it was 2.5 or 3 hours, can't remember). It's not as if it's real school it's more about socializing and playing. Learning through play so I never understand the argument that they're in school long enough why put them in so early. DS goes to K in Sept and I don't think it was a big deal to have 3 years of nursery school.

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

Older DS started preschool at 2.5 when I was home full time. He used to go for 3 hours per day.

Younger DS started preschool at 2. It was a little earlier than I would have wanted but I started working part time.

I think it is geographic. Down here, everyone sends their kids to preschool at 2.5. This goes for both SAHMs and working moms. I have had friends concerned because their 2.25 yo did not make the 2.5 yo cut off for certain schools and they were afraid their kid would be behind academically.

At the same time, some people only do pre-k at age 4 and their kids are perfectly prepared for kindergarten.

I personally love our preschool. They have so much fun. It is a perfect blend of play and academics. The kids have tons of socialization and I am truly impressed with all that they learn.

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

DD started school right before she turned 2. I sent her because I wanted her to learn to be away from me, and to be able to socialize in a group environment. It's not like it's really school - it's more of structured socialization and play. There's no stress to learn, though there is education.
My DD goes to a very academic preschool, and even there it's basically crafts and songs and play for the 2 year olds. She has learned a lot, but I know they don't push things, she just a great memory.

I think it's a personal decision, it's not wrong to send them so young, it's not wrong not to. For our family it was the right choice. DD became much more independent, which was a main reason for sending her so I'm happy with our choice.

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

DD started a 2 yr old program at 2 years and 1 day. She went two days a week for a full day. She loved every minute of it!

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds

DS just started preschool and he will be 3 in September. He goes 2 full days while we are at work. I find this to be way better than just being at the sitters all day (my sisters) as he is learning more, socializing more, and playing outside more.

Re: Your thoughts on preschool and 2 year olds