Does my 16 month old need activities? And can I skip preschool?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d definitely do a morning preK but would absolutely not give a second thought to “socialization” before then.

Daycare is childcare. Yes, it’s absolutely better to go to daycare than to get plunked in front of the TV all day but that’s a far cry from an engaged and playful nanny.

LOL

So you’re saying daycare is not childcare?! Your daycare doesn’t care for, feed, watch and change your children?!

Holy crap, lady, find another daycare!

No I have a nanny. But I also think you’re full of crap and daycare can engage kids just as well as a nanny can.

[Anonymous]

We had a good experience with a share at that age. Seemed like the right mix of cozy and having a peer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A good nanny - someone who reads to your child, talks, sings, engages and plays - is far, far better than sticking a toddler in a room full of other toddlers. It’s just a fact.

+1

Or parent.

[Anonymous]

OP, what is your education level? I can tell you class from the post. Don't say this out loud in any DC social circle. You will be dropped like a hot potato for being ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Preschool teacher here. I'd say that the socialization benefits of playing in a peer group really begin starting at age 2. At 16 months, attentive interaction with a caregiver (parent, nanny, child care teacher) is most important. (yes, a younger child can benefit from peer play, but less so than an older preschooler)

So I'd say no worries at all on not being in a peer group setting yet. And the kids who do not go to child care / preschool this year due to the pandemic should be just fine. yes, learning to get along with peers is important, but health is more important.

[Anonymous]

At 16 months toddlers are developing their social skills. In a recent screening I was asked how my 16 month old DD interacts with other kids, does she go to comfort a child who is crying, and I said "well I don't know, we've been keeping her away from other kids" (DD scored a little lower on social development because of this, though the assessor said this is a common issue these days). I don't think it's at all necessary to send a child to a child care center/preschool at this age, but I don't think zero interaction with other children is optimal either.