Thoughts on waiting another year to start daughter in preschool.

@tiera_shaye, No need to apologize! I don’t know why they would say it like that. The school district has a federal obligation to provide services, so it’s not about the money and more about compliance and making sure her needs are met. Good luck with everything!

sorry I only said that because that’s literally what I was told by people from the state. When i said what happens if no spots are open they said don’t worry. She has an IEP and that automatically moves her up over a child who doesn’t. They all want that grant money. This was never my assumption. I had no clue how all this worked and still frankly it’s all new to me.

@bodybycheetos, Me tooooooo!

The "need and want because schools make money" comments bug me so much. School's need more money than they receive for these types of cases.

Op, is there any speech therapists in your area that you can get referred to through her pediatrician?

@thatregalmujer Are you asking about if I think 1-2 hours of instructional time are enough or if I think that 1-2 hours total with the children out of the day?

Your question is very vague so I will answer what I think you are asking. Please clarify for me if I'm wrong.

Most small children cannot sit and take instruction on one subject for more than 15 minutes, so a good early education program will plan the learning activities in 15-20 minute increments. A child can only learn as much as his butt can take and small children are full of energy so learning through physical activity is just as important as stationary learning. One on one teaching allows less time towards instruction and more time towards practice than traditional school where we have children of all learning curves and 1 to 25-30 ratio. It take longer to instruct and teach when you have more students at once because there are more distractions and not everyone learns at the same rate. So if your child is a slow learner you can slow down for him, on the other hand, if your child is a quick learner who is inquisitive, you can be more detailed and get into things quicker. Once a child passes a certain point of reading comprehension he/she doesn't need as much instruction so yes, 1-2 hours can be enough. The average homeschool day is estimated at 3-4 hours bc of instructional time, plus actual work time. I don't like the idea of daycare/early childhood education being an all day event for small children.

Now, what I was stating originally when I mentioned the quality time I was referring more towards family time and effort put in. I know people who stay at home all day 24/7 with their children but they do not interact beyond physical needs. They don't teach and they have poor parenting skills altogether. The children really just take care of themselves and run wild in the home. The parent is there but not truly present. So the kids pay the consequence. On the other hand I know people who work all day long from home, staying busy through the day, and the kids have to entertain themselves through the majority of the day but mom and dad are truly present and give structured activities for the children to do. They take breaks from work to help them and when family time takes place in the evening the parents are completely devoted to the time spent and the children are well adjusted and well behaved. I also know people who have sent their kids to daycare/school and worked full time to have them fall behind bc they don't have the family time. And from another angle others who worked full time to come home to spend quality time with their children who excelled. I am not against early childhood education but I don't think it is necessary in all cases. I've met too many people who rely on the state to educate their children and don't take responsibility for them. My personal thought is that if family is so important and I am working so hard to raise my children and to bind with them, why would I just sent them off at 5 for someone else to influence them? Education come sin many forms and looks different to all of us. But when it comes down to it the proof is in the pudding when we see that children who have strong family ties are less likely to get into gangs, or other troubles. They are also more likely to be successful academically and in life. Hope this answers for you. 🙂

I'm just using the numbers you gave in your last comment "an hour or two daily spent..."

Please explain what you mean by one or two hour interaction. Thanks.

I competely agree with this. I just meant when it comes to a child's education, lol. Do you think a child's education, when being homeschooled, can be impacted, positively, by a 1 or 2 hr interaction? In the grand scheme of things?

I was the baking about this and I have to say that I firmly believe it's no the amount of time spent, but the quality of the time spent with the children that makes the difference. A parent CNA be there 24/7 and turn out a child who is completely at a disadvantage. On the hand a parent could have and hour or two daily spent in quality time and give their child(ren) a huge advantage in life. Do what you are able and reap the fruit of your labor.

His age most definitely contributed. It typically isn't until a child is age two or older that they stop playing in a linear fashion and actually start to interact on an interpersonal level with those around them.

I would agree that parental involvement trumps all other factors, however the research and the findings on pre-k are mixed. There are an equal (or greater) number of studies that show that the positive impacts of pre-k extend into adulthood. The research isn’t definitive. Knowing that there are many factors that go into a child’s academic success and knowing that the research is conflicting, making a blanket statement that children who don’t go to pre-k catch up or outperform kids who do is a bit misleading.

that's what they told me. The children learned life skills during those formative years. But it definitely comes down to if the parents can dedicate that time to their children, and realistically (from what I've seen) oftentimes parents just cannot give their children that level of interaction because of the demands of just... living.

nope, it's just us. Prior to covid, we used to have group activities once a week, but then I stopped, cuz he'd spend the whole time stuck to me instead of playing, we was also under 18 mos, so I'm not sure that contributed to it.

I think with him just seeing only the 2 of us... it just doesn't sound... right, lol. No matter how much love we give and show him, he would benefit greatly and learn a great deal, if he had the opportunity to interact with other children 😩 I hope you're right, he was schedule to start school next September, but he might not at this rate.

I agree 100% that education at such a young age will have a lasting impact on the child's brain development. I haven't read anything on it, but based on my observations, all the people I know who were taught the basics at young ages (before age 5) are extremely intelligent, but I don't know too many ppl, lol.

In most European countries they don't start until 5-7 and then they are more prepared. They have better developed vocabulary, the ability to sit still so they can actually pay attention, better motor skills and a more developed sense of self. Formal education doesn't teach as much during the first years of life as hands on daily life with an attentive parent.

You don't need a big family to be close knit. You and DH show that little boy daily what it is to interact and children who have more adult interactions tend to have higher vocabulary and language comprehension. You have friends over there don't you? DH has colleagues? Do you not have him around anyone normally? Even if you don't I promise it's ok for now. You're doing great. My best friend in life is in her 90's and she was the only friend I had until I started school at 6. She read to me daily and spent so much time teaching me that I was way ahead of my peers just from the one on one attention I got. I always had a higher than average score on tests and my vocabulary was beyond my grade level. Spelling and reading came so easily when I was younger. Sadly due to a head injury I have lost much of that, but it's ok. I am sure that your son is going to be quite successful in life bc he has you as his mom.

but I don't have family close by, so in my case, and I'm sure many others, sighs, I have to get him interacting with folks, lol

Also, unfortunately, the world isn't designed in a way that many parents can give so much to their children. I'm lucky to be able to stay home (doesn't always feel like that 😅)

I agree that having interactions with peers is important throughout all developmental stages to see degree but I think as a society we put too much emphasis on early interactions and don't realize the benefit of a close knit family or multi generational relationships.

Let me see if I can get into my school's data base. My major is Early Childhood Development and in one of my classes we learned about this. Parental involvement had more to do with success than preschool. Just as those who get a preschool education but don't have parental involvement can, and most often do, fall behind even with early education. Our home environment greatly affects our future.

https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1467-8624.00417

I would send my child to pre school, because he needs the social interaction with his peers, because he doesn't get the opportunity to be around children his age, lol, so that would be my reason for having him go. I believe that interaction is so vital

I have heard this about children in other parts of the world, I think Sweden... I forget. Their children don't start any type of formal schooling until 6, and they do great. I don't think pre school is necessary, but it depends on if parents are able to commit the time to teach their children and help them develop skills. Working 9-5 often doesn't leave enough time to dedicate

to would like to see this too. I've heard of studies that say quite the opposite 😂

Can you provide links to studies that show that kids who do not get high-quality pre-k catch up to or surpass their peers?

These are all the things that you should be doing! It sounds like she's on the right track. If she doesn't secure a spot even preschool part-time and the speech in the private sector will keep her on track until kindergarten. Also if there is a waiting list alway keep her on it and call to ask for her spot.

then what’s the point of this app if Moms can’t share opinions? You just shared yours. The original poster can make her own decision. She was just looking for opinions to help her make her decision. I hope people aren’t following a strangers words without any professional advice!

The difference is an informed opinion versus an opinion not based on professional knowledge. I would hope people would follow the advice of professionals but that doesn’t always happen which is why it’s irresponsible to advise someone on something in which you are not trained in. Have a great day.

I wasn’t offering professional advice. I never claimed to be a professional. I was giving my opinion as a fellow mom. I thought that’s what this app was for. I guess I was wrong. I’ll be on my way 😟

You're welcome. I completely agree with 2sweetie. She has great input. Your daughter's speech will develop more over the next year and if, once she hits school age, she still need help then def. get it. In the meantime you can still get therapy through your peds by referral. Best of wishes!!! I'm sure she will surprise you!

@tiera_shaye, yes but she’s barely 3 and her speech will be much more developed by age 5 when she starts kindergarten. Starting kindergarten is not dependent on when kids start preschool. Preschool is not mandatory and kids can start Kinder when they’re 5 regardless of if they’ve been to preschool or not. You don’t need to hold her back. You still have 2 years to get her ready. I actually don’t know many people who have put their kids in preschool other than myself and my sister, because of how expensive it is.

gotcha. See where I live it’s more common for everyone to put their kids in preschool. The school districts even have them so people don’t have to pay. Same with some of the state funded ones. We have some as well that are private but nothing too crazy expensive. I didn’t realize how many people forego preschool in general. But it makes me feel better knowing that is an option. She has come so far with speech at home and using learning videos she is saying leaps and bounds more than she was 6 months ago. Which is great.

oh I see. Don’t stress out about it. Trust me, there’s a ton of development that happens between ages 3-5 and you don’t want to pressure her. If she still needs help with speech at age 5 she can get it then. But many times once kids start learning letter sounds and hanging around other kids they pick up on a lot.

Sounds like us here in Ohio. We have been with early intervention and she just finished her last in Hope speech session in April right before she turned 3. They will be the ones to work with us to make sure she gets speech therapy in school as well. Headstart would be the perfect option. They are a state funded program I think. They seem to be better equipped to deal with what she needs as far as her speech. Because they see so much of it. It’s not just the therapists but the teachers know too.

@thatregalmujer Please explain what you mean by one or two hour interaction. Thanks.

I'm just using the numbers you gave in your last comment "an hour or two daily spent..."

Are you asking about if I think 1-2 hours of instructional time are enough or if I think that 1-2 hours total with the children out of the day?

Your question is very vague so I will answer what I think you are asking. Please clarify for me if I'm wrong.

Most small children cannot sit and take instruction on one subject for more than 15 minutes, so a good early education program will plan the learning activities in 15-20 minute increments. A child can only learn as much as his butt can take and small children are full of energy so learning through physical activity is just as important as stationary learning. One on one teaching allows less time towards instruction and more time towards practice than traditional school where we have children of all learning curves and 1 to 25-30 ratio. It take longer to instruct and teach when you have more students at once because there are more distractions and not everyone learns at the same rate. So if your child is a slow learner you can slow down for him, on the other hand, if your child is a quick learner who is inquisitive, you can be more detailed and get into things quicker. Once a child passes a certain point of reading comprehension he/she doesn't need as much instruction so yes, 1-2 hours can be enough. The average homeschool day is estimated at 3-4 hours bc of instructional time, plus actual work time. I don't like the idea of daycare/early childhood education being an all day event for small children.

Now, what I was stating originally when I mentioned the quality time I was referring more towards family time and effort put in. I know people who stay at home all day 24/7 with their children but they do not interact beyond physical needs. They don't teach and they have poor parenting skills altogether. The children really just take care of themselves and run wild in the home. The parent is there but not truly present. So the kids pay the consequence. On the other hand I know people who work all day long from home, staying busy through the day, and the kids have to entertain themselves through the majority of the day but mom and dad are truly present and give structured activities for the children to do. They take breaks from work to help them and when family time takes place in the evening the parents are completely devoted to the time spent and the children are well adjusted and well behaved. I also know people who have sent their kids to daycare/school and worked full time to have them fall behind bc they don't have the family time. And from another angle others who worked full time to come home to spend quality time with their children who excelled. I am not against early childhood education but I don't think it is necessary in all cases. I've met too many people who rely on the state to educate their children and don't take responsibility for them. My personal thought is that if family is so important and I am working so hard to raise my children and to bind with them, why would I just sent them off at 5 for someone else to influence them? Education come sin many forms and looks different to all of us. But when it comes down to it the proof is in the pudding when we see that children who have strong family ties are less likely to get into gangs, or other troubles. They are also more likely to be successful academically and in life. Hope this answers for you. 🙂

@bodybycheetos, Me tooooooo!

sorry I only said that because that’s literally what I was told by people from the state. When i said what happens if no spots are open they said don’t worry. She has an IEP and that automatically moves her up over a child who doesn’t. They all want that grant money. This was never my assumption. I had no clue how all this worked and still frankly it’s all new to me.

No need to apologize! I don’t know why they would say it like that. The school district has a federal obligation to provide services, so it’s not about the money and more about compliance and making sure her needs are met. Good luck with everything!