My son is going to a co-op preschool this year - mostly for the play & peer interaction - I'm not worried about academics. We are new to the area, & I've found it difficult to find playgroups for older kids (he's 4 1/2, but won't be 5 before Sept). They seem to all be in preschool! The co-op is a pretty short day, so it seemed like a happy medium.

My oldest is in montessori and i think its given her a lot of confidence, in addition to school skills like sharing, taking turns, etc, as compared to some of the kids who stay home with their parents that I know of. I also think that the way Montessori teaches reading and math is unique and interesting and is far beyond what I would/could do at home. My younger son will join his sister this fall, when he turns 2.

Anonymous wrote:It was necessary for me as a parent. I needed that kid out of the house for a few hours every morning.

Me too. Plus my kids loved it and made a lot of new friends. It was a great experience for them and I definitely think they benefitted from it. I would not skip preschool.

It was necessary for me as a parent. I needed that kid out of the house for a few hours every morning.

My son really liked it, and matured a lot by being out of my sight for a few hours a day. It isn't a life or death choice, but my kid got a whole lot out of it.

No. My kids didn't do preschool or pre-k and they had no difficulties with the transition and did well in school, socially and academically.

I didn't spend hours working on pre-literacy skills or kindergarten skills. we talked about letters, numbers, shapes we saw as we went about daily life.

If your kids are well socialized and generally adaptable kids who transition well, then they will do fine in kindergarten without preschool.

Waiting your turn, sharing, sitting still .... those types of skills are ones we have taught just as part of parenting but they transfer well to school. You can teach those just as easily as a preschool teacher.

I think it depends. I would personally be bored to tears going over shapes, numbers, letters, opposites, etc... with my kids for hours on end. So, for my kids, preschool is "necessary". However, if you are in to that sort of thing, then I don't see why preschool is "necessary". If your kid is socially behind, but otherwise typical, he/she will catch up quickly once they enter school.

Why don't you want to send your kid OP?

Yes, its extremely necessary.

not necessary, but a pre-school or pre-K program, even just 3 half days a week, will help ease the transition for a lot (note: I didn't say all) kids. Pre-school is going to work on those non-academic skills that are so important to making entry into the kindergarten environment smooth. Waiting turns. Working with other. Sharing. Recognizing social cues. sitting still, in a chair or on the floor, for extended periods of time.

I've seen kids make incredibly smooth transition to kindergarten without having gone to pre-school. And I've seen plenty of academically bright kids struggle with the full day school environment when kindergarten is their first exposure to the classroom.

You have to make the right decision for your child; there's no universal "right" answer.

Not necessary. Optional.

I agree with last couple PP's. My LO stays at home with me. I'm able to take the time to engage LO in fun learning activities for numbers, shapes, colors and reading. I'm confident that they will have a head start. I plan on skipping preschool. In fact my SIL stayed at home to teach her son and he was ahead in K too. The one-on-one just can't be beat versus a room of preschoolers in my opinion.

No, it is completely optional. Really. But most people around here will tell you otherwise.

We skipped it and my kids were not behind in K at all. They were actually a head of the curve. By the end of first grade we had the option of putting our kids into a special school for the gifted and talented. We waited a year to see if both of our kids qualified and they did.

I was able to teach them about math and reading while doing such mundane things as grocery shopping, walking the dogs, going on trips and reading the signs. The first thing my DD read out loud and with confidence was West Virginia as we were crossing the boarder. I never told her what states we were going through and she just shouted it from the back seat. I knew then we would be OK when she started school in the fall.

I personally believe it is important. Preschool prepares children for kindergarten.

I'm considering skipping it and having my DS go straight into kindergarten. He's very sociable, we get out every day for playdates, the library, swimming classes and the little gym. At home we play with shapes, draw, learn letters and numbers. Will he be at a disadvantage if he skips PS?