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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Preschool is not just about academics.  It is learning how to function in a group setting with other children, sit in circle, listen to the teacher, line up, etc.  Playing with other children and navigating social relationships is important, and it is different when you are with the same kids in class every day than on a play date every once in a while or with a sibling.  Each of my children gained confidence going to preschool and were very proud to show of their accomplishments from there.

Personally, I couldn't imagine not sending my child to preschool.  I'm not sure there are any kids in my child's kindergarten who skipped preschool, but I do not for sure.  All of my child's friends attended.  I do know that when my child was 3 or 4 and in gym class, the child not in preschool had a much harder time following the teacher's instructions and the teacher had to spend a lot of time dealing with her.  [/quote]

+1[/quote]
+2

I used to teach an extracurricular for 4-5 year olds, and it was pretty apparent which kids had these skills from being in preschool, and which didn't. (Of course, if a child is in daycare, they may gain many of the same skills! But it's hard to attain from being at home all day every day with a parent or other caregiver.)[/quote]

Another +1 to both posts above.

OP, kindergarten today is not at all like it was when any of us were kids. Kindergarten now requires a LOT more of children, behaviorally and academically. It used to be that K was the year when kids transitioned from being at home all the time to being in "big kid school" and learned behavioral basics -- how to follow directions (from an adult who is [u]not [/u]mom or dad); how to move from one activity to another even if you really don't want to do so; how to keep hands off other kids; and so on. Now that is no longer the function of K; teachers have to get kids started on the academics in K far more than they once did, so kids entering K without any exposure to a classroom setting, or exposure to having to listen to and obey a teacher, are starting at a disadvantage. Most kids will adapt and "get it," yes, but it's more of a struggle for them, their classmates and their teachers if time must be spent on these skills in K. That's why a good preschool helps a lot. Preschool does NOT have to be all day, five days a week; do what's best for your kid, and maybe just three half-days a week or whatever will be fine for your child....but consider that it's good for a child to have at least some preschool before kindergarten, these days. Avoid "academic" preschools that hand out worksheets or drill kids hard on academics, but seek one that does expect children to learn to move with the group from activity to activity.

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