Preschool?

Thursday, May 20, 2010
by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

It's nearly the end of May. In my neighborhood, that means the evenings are growing longer and, especially, louder with the sounds of kids playing. Soon, it won't be just the evenings that are louder, it will be most of the day as kids finish the school year.

For most of us, school days seem a world away (although I'll admit that I sometimes tear up at the sight of  a school bus). The reality is that school days will be here in what seems to be a blink of an eye.

If you have a toddler in your life, you're most likely already weighing the value of preschool for your child. Many children enroll in a preschool program between 2 1/2 to 3 years of age. Perhaps you've already chosen a program and will be seeing your child off to their first organized educational experiences in the fall.

What's your take on the importance of preschool? There's a saying that "early years are learning years." There's certainly no denying that. However, the question is, "Do children need the experiences found in an organized early childhood setting, such as a preschool?"  Like kids, there's no "one size fits all" when it comes to education. Some kids will blossom in such organized programs, some aren't quite ready, and some will need a different path altogether.

When it comes to considering early childhood programs, here's a great place to start: www.naeyc.org/families. This handy dandy site is the home of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. When it comes to the why, how, and, most importantly where to find a quality early childhood program, this is the organization you are looking for.

Remember to consider all options.  Find the best program that works for your family and your child.

Consider:

*Half-day, one or two mornings a week programs.

*Parent co-ops (parents volunteer in the classroom, sometimes even leading activities).

*Think outside the box. Create your own early childhood "program" by piecing together community resources (free storytimes at library, playgroups, nature outings, etc.).

Whatever you do, remember that transitioning your child into their first formal learning environments will take time. Baby steps. Slow transitions. If it's not working, step back and rethink. Work in partnership with the program you choose.

When will you send your child off to school?

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

Add a Comment

* Title	RE: Preschool?
Name
* Comment

Submit