Kindergarten readiness, preschool, pre-k, whatever you call it...
is it really necessary?
A couple weeks ago we got a pamphlet in the mail from the school district informing us that it was almost time to register Squirrel for Kindergarten Readiness. My first reaction was "Sign him up!". But then after thinking about it a while and discussing it with my husband, we're not so sure it is something we want to do.
Our discussion first led to, to whom does the money go? We then decided that if we put him in preschool we were not going to put him in the local public school. So we started looking at some of the Christian preschools in the area. Then the issue of cost came up. We could probably budget and sacrifice to make it work, but $150/month really cuts down on the student loans we have been chipping away at. Which then led to "Is preschool really necessary?" if it were, then why isn't it just part of the k-12 system? Squirrel is a smart little boy, anything he needs to know before kindergarten I could easily teach him myself. But what about the social aspect? He is with kids every Sunday at Sunday School, and every other Sunday at our group Bible Study, so we're O.K. there.
Am I missing something? Is there more to it than that?
I then started looking at homeschool preschool programs. There are so many out there, I didn't really know where to start. One curriculum listed off a ridiculous amount of stuff that I am sure isn't necessary for preschool, like already knowing how to read, writing out the whole alphabet, counting to 100. Maybe it is just me, but I feel like that my be rushing things a bit. Can't a 4 year old just be a 4 year old, you know, play pretend, step on ants, make up stories. Maybe I am naive. I know Squirrel would pick up on these things if I were to push it on him, but I don't feel like it's time for that yet. Anyway, another curriculum I looked at, and like the most so far, is a subscription style monthly preschool education box. Each month focuses on certain shapes, colors, numbers or seasonal learning. It looked like it would be fun. There are crafts and outdoor activities to go with lessons. Each lesson would take about two hours with the option of 3 or 5 days a week plans.
If you've had, have or will have a preschooler, if you are a preschool or kindergarten teacher, if you home school, or if you are just someone who wants to throw their two cents in, please do! Looking for all the input I can get!
As you know, I have no experience with any of this- But, I have began pondering home schooling for LPT. I really like the idea of the "preschool education box". If you decide to do this, you should blog about it!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe have decided to go the home school route for preschool. Whatever program or option we decide to do, I will definitely blog about it! :)
DeleteMel, we too debated back and forth about "pre-K" readiness and pre-School and do you know what finally influenced our decision? Our Christian physician! He told us that because she was in daycare and going to Sunday School and with other children six days a week, she was getting all of the "pre-school" she needed. She was tested by the state of MN at age 3 and came within two points of a perfect score. She was socially well adjusted and had the knowledge she needed for her age.
ReplyDeleteNow that she's a "Kindergarten Graduate" she's telling all of her friends and those she meets "I was so smart I was able to skip pre-school!"
Squirrel isn't around kids quite as much, only at Sunday School. But I am not too concerned. I am going to do minimal homeschool program with him. I like how she tells her friends that she was so smart! When was in preschool I used to tell people I was in "Pretty School"!
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