Getting Ready for School

My daughter turns 4 this July and like you I would love to put her in school. However, there are limitations of situations and income that determine whether or not your child even qualifies to attend school. At least in my area. At the present I am a single mother of a gorgeous little girl that is smart as a whip. She amazes me daily. However, without any child support coming in, and no state assistance I still seem to make too much money. I sure would like to know how that is possible. With the amount of money I have to put out every month for basic survival needs and her daycare.... we are lucky to have anything left after everything is paid. There is no internet or cable or a home phone in our house...I cant afford those on what I make against what I pay out!!! And how does anyone deny a child the right to go to school? Oh wait - PRE-K is not a given right... EXCUSE ME?

Call your ISD and see if they can even take your child at her age and whether or not you would qualify in all necessary requirements.

good luck!

If there aren't any separation anxiety issues, try it - then you'll know if she was ready. I'd stick with half day - she's only 2 and they grow so fast - you don't want to regret giving up you time with her. Besides half day is plenty to "mix and mingle" as you mentioned - you'll still get the great one-on-one time and teaching with you and get the "playground lessons" that only happen in groups too.
Expect glitches along the way - the newness may wear off then there could be battles about going. This is normal. A change in your child's personality is NOT. We have experienced a severe mismatch in preschool once where my normally happy and outgoing boy started hiding behind me - I should have moved him to a different preschool earlier than I did. (It's a long story, PM me if you want more information.) Once we moved to a better fit teacher and setting, my outgoing boy returned. Sometimes the teacher is more important than the most modern facility/equipment and progressive methods.

I agree that you sound like the best teacher for the child. Any parent that gives great one on one now will be their best and favorite teacher! =)

I know this is an unusual opinion, but I would say the very best school she could ever go to, she is already in - your home. It sounds like you and she have a ball learning together and I guarantee you can teach her more than any preschool will! And yes, children need to learn to play nicely with other children, but when problems come up, then you don't have much control over them at all. You either have to rip her out of her routine or stumble along trying to solve a problem from home that only happens at school. Another thing to think about: From whom is she going to learn good social skills, like sharing, being kind, saying please and thank you, taking turns - from other 2 year olds? from one teacher for every 6-8 children? Or you? I think you! And then as she learns them by playing and working with you, she goes to play group (with you supervising and coaching) and practices them! So if you don't recognize it yet, this is home schooling rhetoric, and yes I am a home schooler. However, I respect whatever decision people make for their kids, because parents know their own children best. But in case you hadn't thought about these things, here they are. Happy decision-making!

I work at a montessori, and I would suggest to have her try it out for a bit, and see how she likes it. I would deffinately say to have her go only half a day, because most of the schoolwork is in the mornings, and it's hard on toddlers to stay at school all day!

If you want more info on the montessori where I work, and my son attends email me.

Good Luck!!

i would definately recommend it just for the interaction especially if she is not around other kids often. i would stick to a half day mothers day out program or something. she is still little and needs her mommy as well.

i also noticed that you are a stay at home mom. have you ever considered starting a stay at home business? i have stumbled onto a really great one. there is no sales, or inventory to keep, no parties to throw or magazines to pass out. you can do it full time or part time and basically make as much money as the effort you want to put into it. if you are interested in some more information please visit my website at www.formyrugrats.com. i would love to share this amazing opportunity with you!!!

D. Mattern
The MOM Team
Raise your income and your rugrats at the same time!
www.formyrugrats.com
"The only thing that counts is faith, expressing itself through love," Galatians 5:6

Sure, let her go. Maybe one or two days a week for half days. My daughter didn't do preschool until she was 3, and she goes two times a week, all day (9am-2pm). Next year for pre-k I will have her go 3 days a week. Try it for a couple weeks and see how she does. If she does well, keep her going, if not, wait another year. good luck! and great job spending all that time with her with on the abc's and numbers, that's really great for her age!