Quote:
Originally Posted by Youngfrankenstein  We have many cousins so socialization wasn't an issue for me and you can be sure that they teach the BASICS in Kindergarten! So many people have said "they have to know so much before they get there!" That's bunk!
|
I have four children and homeschooled the older three for the last two years. My first two went to a foreign language preschool mostly as an enrichment thing, it was home-based and somewhat casual. My third child didn't go to preschool, although we went to a homeschool co-op once a week when she was four, so maybe that counts. Now she is getting ready to start public school first grade this year.
My 3yo son will attend preschool this fall two mornings a week--if I can get him potty trained in time. One of the reasons I want him in preschool is the (o! dreaded word!) socialization factor. He's the youngest child in our family and the only boy. He would enjoy the interaction, the space to burn off energy, and having to share toys and materials on a regular basis would be good for him.
There is some sense in which preschool is completely optional and kindergarten as well. A good number of children learn their basic stuff (how to read, how to write, alphabet, counting, simple addition, etc) at home and going into preschool and kindergarten is really about adjusting to school routines and being in a group.
I have several friends and relatives who are public school teachers and they say the standards for what is to be known already and accomplished in kindergarten is very high compared to standards in the 1970s (when I was in school). Some of that is because a lot of families hold their kids back until they are six to enter, especially boys, and so the average age of the kindergartener is really more like a first grade class. Preschool becomes the new kindergarten and three-years-old the new preschool. My husband was still four when he started his public kindergarten in 1973!
So is preschool at three years old absolutely essential? No. Maybe your husband would be content if you began teaching your child at home until your son is at an age (4?) that you feel comfortable sending him off to school. Sonlight and other curriculum providers have some fun book packages for little ones.
).
