Socialization for young kids?

[mamaofthree]

If you don't have to or need to work so there for you child doesn't have to go to somekind of "other" care ie preschool, or a sitter. Do you feel it is nessassary(sp!) for them to have a peer group when they are young... like 2 to 3 years old?

My dd went to preschool off and on most of her early childhood do to the fact that I worked full time and dh went to school full time and worked part time. Both of my boys have never been to a preschool or daycare program, but since we now homeschool they have a peer group just because we have group days twice a week. Anyway, what do you think? Is it something they NEED? or something that you want them to have?

H

[anothermama]

I think it depends on the kid and what kind of socilization you get in your social circle, and if they will be homeschooled or not.

My daughter is going to public school next year. She's a bit shyer and more timid in new situations than normal, so she's in preschool part time, mainly so that next year when she starts kindergarten, she'll have friends in her class. For my daughter, I think it would be a REAL hard thing for her to start school in August having NOT been around that situation AND not knowing anyone in her class. I think it's a benefit *for us* but I wouldn't say ALL kids need it like she does.

[HollyBearsMom]

I work FT but have a nanny so my son was not in any kind of regular social situation. We orginally tried to handle it ourselves on the weekens but it was just getting to be too much and we wanted/needed more family time. Based on that I did enroll him in a 2 day- 4 hour toddler program when he was 18 months. I would drop him off and my nanny would pick him up. He LOVED it and really blossumed. It also gave me an opportunity to meet other working mom's in my area.

I would say it depends on the child tho. My son is very outgoing and I knew I was doing him a disservice when we couldn't even go to the drugstore with out him pointing excitedly at any and all kids! However if he had been very shy and reserved I would have waited until he was older.