Anyone traveled instead of PK?

[Anonymous]

I have a young child who is slated to start PK next year. Tonight, DH and I talked about the fact that we could do all sorts of other things instead. I could spend a couple of months with family in Italy. After we returned, our child could take swim lessons, Music Together, hike, play with neighborhood friends, hit the museums, and do weekly language classes. Have any of you just travelled and done enrichment but not used a formal school program prior to K or even 1st grade? We hope to eventually end up at an independent school. Curious about your experiences.

[Anonymous]

Yep. DC didn't go to kindergarten. Walked into 1st grade knowing how to read, swim, play soccer, write, bilingual, etc. Now in 5th grade. We travel each summer for 6 weeks. Love it.

With some kids it wouldn't work - they need the structure, the practice of school, etc., but mine was a roll with the punches little guy and loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a young child who is slated to start PK next year. Tonight, DH and I talked about the fact that we could do all sorts of other things instead. I could spend a couple of months with family in Italy. After we returned, our child could take swim lessons, Music Together, hike, play with neighborhood friends, hit the museums, and do weekly language classes. Have any of you just travelled and done enrichment but not used a formal school program prior to K or even 1st grade? We hope to eventually end up at an independent school. Curious about your experiences.

OP, I think the years go waaaay too fast and young children really do need and benefit from time with a parent most of all. If you have an "in" for KDG or really don't care one way or another ( your public option is good or you plan to move in a couple years anyway), then I say do what feels right for your family. Remember, pre-K is only 6 hrs a day and DC will never be 4 or 5 again.

Frankly, I think the more time at home in the early years with an engaged parent, the better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a young child who is slated to start PK next year. Tonight, DH and I talked about the fact that we could do all sorts of other things instead. I could spend a couple of months with family in Italy. After we returned, our child could take swim lessons, Music Together, hike, play with neighborhood friends, hit the museums, and do weekly language classes. Have any of you just travelled and done enrichment but not used a formal school program prior to K or even 1st grade? We hope to eventually end up at an independent school. Curious about your experiences.

OP, I think the years go waaaay too fast and young children really do need and benefit from time with a parent most of all. If you have an "in" for KDG or really don't care one way or another ( your public option is good or you plan to move in a couple years anyway), then I say do what feels right for your family. Remember, pre-K is only 6 hrs a day and DC will never be 4 or 5 again.

Frankly, I think the more time at home in the early years with an engaged parent, the better.

AGREE. We are doing a part time PK4 instead of full time for exactly this reason. and the program we are with does not at all care if we take vacations, provided we are paying our tuition and let them know what's going on. This was a very important thing to me. I agree so wholeheartedly with you two that I almost want to provide my email and ask you to be friends IRL because it seems like NOBODY does this anymore and everyone buys into the idea that PS3, PK4, and this new rigorous K are strictly necessary for all kids. I get it that PS is really important for some children, but to me, it will never replace life experiences, like travel, and especially not--if you're able to do it given your situation--having that time with parent(s). One worry we have is that we're in the city so it is hard to feel secure with an "in" past the K levels. Ideally, we'd do a part time K program as well and start school-school at first. We'll see how it goes but we did skip the charter scramble this year. Just not interested.

[Anonymous]

I would skip pre-k in a heartbeat if I wasn't working and had other good stuff to do (no way my spouse would be ok with me taking the kid off to another country for several months though). I probably would lean towards doing the local k, though, because the teachers are expecting that to be everyone's first year and I think there is a lot more slack/adjustment going on with teachers and kids.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford to do this (most of us can't) of course it's better than pre-K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford to do this (most of us can't) of course it's better than pre-K.

Agree. No question. We'd do it if I could!!