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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9537 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Pre-K Question
I am once again on the hunt for a placement for my DD for the upcoming school year. She is ineligible for kindergarten b/c of her birthdate.
I've had lots of discussions with friends and family, and I've toured LOTS of different places - both daycare centers and private schools.
The question . . . do you think as parents we (the collective we) are placing too much emphasis on early education and not enough on play? Should the focus really be on which school offers Spanish to 4 year olds, or which school lets them finger paint?
Discuss.
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Posted 6/29/12 9:31 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
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Re: Pre-K Question
I think it depends on what the parent wants the child to get out of school.
Me personally, I wanted DS to learn social skills and how to behave properly in a school setting, if he learned educational things and made arts and crafts in the process, great.
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| Posted 6/29/12 9:38 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Pre-K Question
Posted by DancinBarefoot
I am once again on the hunt for a placement for my DD for the upcoming school year. She is ineligible for kindergarten b/c of her birthdate.
I've had lots of discussions with friends and family, and I've toured LOTS of different places - both daycare centers and private schools.
The question . . . do you think as parents we (the collective we) are placing too much emphasis on early education and not enough on play? Should the focus really be on which school offers Spanish to 4 year olds, or which school lets them finger paint?
Discuss.
I think it's too much too soon personally. I specifically chose a preschool that also had play involved.
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| Posted 6/29/12 9:39 AM |
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BeachMom
Love my 4 kiddos!
Member since 11/08 8346 total posts
Name:
Kristie
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Re: Pre-K Question
Posted by MrsDiamondgrlie
I think it depends on what the parent wants the child to get out of school.
Me personally, I wanted DS to learn social skills and how to behave properly in a school setting, if he learned educational things and made arts and crafts in the process, great.
ITA!! Social Skills are what we are looking for, and an equal balance of play/crafts/ and education.
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| Posted 6/29/12 9:57 AM |
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smooney
Hidey Ho!
Member since 2/10 1669 total posts
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Re: Pre-K Question
Posted by BeachMom
Posted by MrsDiamondgrlie
I think it depends on what the parent wants the child to get out of school.
Me personally, I wanted DS to learn social skills and how to behave properly in a school setting, if he learned educational things and made arts and crafts in the process, great.
ITA!! Social Skills are what we are looking for, and an equal balance of play/crafts/ and education.
Exactly. As a former Pre-K teacher, this is what I have to say. Take it with a grain of salt if you want. :) Parents can offer education of basic letters, writing, singing songs, making crafts, etc. at home no prob. The socialization, group play, and following a group routine is what you cannot duplicate at home that I think is important for kids to learn before heading to kindergarten. Many daycares offer similar educational curriculums that Pre-k follows as well- look into it. Best of luck!
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| Posted 6/29/12 10:20 AM |
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Justamom
LIF Infant
Member since 9/08 285 total posts
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Re: Pre-K Question
I am also a former Pre-k teacher...my class had a mix of academics and social. The social skills are extremely important at this age, and yes there needs to be free play in Pre-K!
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| Posted 6/29/12 11:32 AM |
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maybesoon
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 5981 total posts
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Re: Pre-K Question
Needs a good balance of play and learning. Let's face it, preschool doesn't dictate if the kid will be a neurosurgeon or not. Let a kid be a kid!
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| Posted 6/29/12 12:28 PM |
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MrsFlatbread
Skinny jeans are in my future
Member since 6/06 10258 total posts
Name:
Baby Momma
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Re: Pre-K Question
Posted by DancinBarefoot
I am once again on the hunt for a placement for my DD for the upcoming school year. She is ineligible for kindergarten b/c of her birthdate.
I've had lots of discussions with friends and family, and I've toured LOTS of different places - both daycare centers and private schools.
The question . . . do you think as parents we (the collective we) are placing too much emphasis on early education and not enough on play? Should the focus really be on which school offers Spanish to 4 year olds, or which school lets them finger paint?
Discuss.
your DD can come to my house for Spanish classes when ever she wants!
You know my feelings on it.
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| Posted 6/29/12 12:56 PM |
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cj7305
=)
Member since 8/05 12296 total posts
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Re: Pre-K Question
Posted by MrsDiamondgrlie
I think it depends on what the parent wants the child to get out of school.
Me personally, I wanted DS to learn social skills and how to behave properly in a school setting, if he learned educational things and made arts and crafts in the process, great.
Same here! I teach 1st grade and I feel like often we are asking too much too soon and these babies aren't necessarily developmentally ready.
That being said, of course all children learn at their own rate and each parent needs to do what they feel is best for their child.
I feel like my DS is right where he should be at 4. Knows colors, letters/sounds, numbers, shapes, etc. He's reading environmental print, likes books, knows the letters in his name and is starting to write them. I feel like he will be prepared for kindergarten so all I really want is for him to learn how to play, problem solve, share, make friends, learn how to follow classroom routine, etc. Anything else he learns academically is a bonus in my eyes
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| Posted 6/29/12 1:05 PM |
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lvdolphins
My Loves!
Member since 5/05 46292 total posts
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Re: Pre-K Question
Posted by maybesoon
Needs a good balance of play and learning. Let's face it, preschool doesn't dictate if the kid will be a neurosurgeon or not. Let a kid be a kid!
This is exactly how I feel.
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| Posted 6/29/12 2:07 PM |
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Kissy331
My two miracles!
Member since 5/06 17826 total posts
Name:
Kristen
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Re: Pre-K Question
I'm honestly looking just for the socialization & separation away from mommy. Heck if possible, I would skip it all together bc I honestly think its too much too soon. Let a child be that, they have enough years ahead of them for school.
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| Posted 6/29/12 2:53 PM |
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pnbplus1
Family
Member since 5/09 5751 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Pre-K Question
Posted by DancinBarefoot
The question . . . do you think as parents we (the collective we) are placing too much emphasis on early education and not enough on play?
Discuss.
Absolutely! Parents and society now undervalue play, which in reality is the "work" of children. Children need to play and learn many of the foundations about how to navigate the world and how to learn, through play.
Somewhere "someone" decided that what children used to learn and work on in 1st grade should now be moved up to K. This is ridiculous. Children (and their respective brains) should be allowed to grow and develop and mature a certain amount before driling them with things like rote addition, subtraction, and reading and writing. There has been this shift in education with chidren being pushed harder at younger ages and what does this country have to show for it, not much considering that we fall far behind most developed, industrialized countries in terms of education.
I vote fingerpaint.
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| Posted 6/29/12 2:58 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Pre-K Question
Honestly, I think that is over simplifying the issue. There is a lot more to it then that. I think in picking a pre-k the important question is -- in which school would YOUR child thrive? Every child is different. Just because they are teaching spanish in one school and finger painting in another doesn't mean one is social and one isn't. Just because kids are learning doesn't mean they can't play and learn or even better, learn through play!
I think when you tour these schools you should try to picture your DC there and think which enviornment would be best for their particular personality.
Message edited 6/29/2012 5:27:12 PM.
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| Posted 6/29/12 5:26 PM |
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Re: Pre-K Question
Posted by DancinBarefoot
The question . . . do you think as parents we (the collective we) are placing too much emphasis on early education and not enough on play? Should the focus really be on which school offers Spanish to 4 year olds, or which school lets them finger paint?
Discuss.
YES!!!
I'm guilty of this myself. I always wanted DC to go to the "best" schools. I started touring preschools when he was 1. 
In the end the best school was the one with the most loving and amazing teachers. It was the one that let DS be himself. He had so much fun there, no stress, no HW, just learning through play. He learned so much there! We still keep in touch with his old teacher, he had her for 2 years, DD will have her in Sept. She is amazing! She even went to see him play baseball last month, she asks me to bring him to visit her. I really thank god for her.
So yes, I think play in preschool is super important. Spanish is great too I'm sure. It probably depends on the child, but for us the simple little school was the way to go.
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| Posted 6/29/12 5:46 PM |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Pre-K Question
Posted by Kissy331
I'm honestly looking just for the socialization & separation away from mommy. Heck if possible, I would skip it all together bc I honestly think its too much too soon. Let a child be that, they have enough years ahead of them for school.
Same here. DS is way too attached to me. Luckily we have the equivalent of universal pre-k her (it's called junior k) and he will be with other senior k students as well. He just needs to get involved with other kids and teachers and learn more than what I can show him, whether it be Spanish, finger-painting, or wiping his own butt 
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| Posted 6/29/12 6:41 PM |
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Hofstra26
Love to Bake!
Member since 7/06 27915 total posts
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Re: Pre-K Question
Yes, absolutely I think we are stressing out our children by forcing too much too soon. I strongly believe in education, I was a teacher before my DD, but even I wasn't happy with a lot of what I saw in the schools. Too little time for creativity, the arts, and just straight up movement and play. I think we stress our kids out so early that instead of creating a community of children who love to read, write, and learn we have a bunch of kids who are too tired, overworked, and burnt out. I find it sad.
I have made the choice to not send my DD to PreK........much to the dismay of most everyone I meet. Fact is, being a certified PreK thru 6th grade teacher I can easily handle the "academics" with her. I am not worried about her entering Kindergarten at all, she will be MORE than ready. As for the social aspect, I think there are so many other ways for her to interact with other kids and be social. She is taking classes at the farm again in the fall, she is enrolled in a separation class at Mommy and Me in the fall, she attends library programs, I take her to other acitvities around the community. I feel she is a very well rounded and will be very ready for school when the time comes.
I think at this age, it's more important for children to have hands on learning experiences and plenty of time for imaginative play above all else. Nothing against PreK, of course, because I don't think Pre K is necessarily bad however, if it were so critical it would be mandated by the state and it's not. It's a nice experience for kids but I don't feel absolutely critical for their development. The year I taught Kindergarten within a few weeks, even days in some cases, there was not much of a discernible difference between the kids that went to PreK and those that did not. I think what is more important is a parent who is active in their child's learning and takes all the opportunities around them to teach their kids in a fun, exciting way and to really encourage and foster imaginative play. Three and four year olds need to move and play and be kids..........NOT reading and adding. At least not IMO.
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| Posted 6/29/12 8:01 PM |
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saraH
happy birthday sweet kate!
Member since 5/05 16555 total posts
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I know that God exsists, I held her in my arms...
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Re: Pre-K Question
I think the socialization aspect of school was more important to me. She's been in school since 2, and I can't tell you what a difference it's made in everything she does.
She went 3 days a week for 2.5 hrs/day then at the 4 y/o pre-k she went 4 days. Summers off, obviously. She learned a lot, but was far from reading or doing math at 4, and that fine by me.
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| Posted 6/29/12 9:03 PM |
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beautyq115
New Year!
Member since 5/05 13729 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Pre-K Question
YES I do believe we are not letting kids play enough and it is really really sad. I taught Science in Pre K-3 this year and the kids in K are learning what we learned in 1st and the kids in Pre K are learning what we learned in K. Less emphasis on play and more on academics in Pre K and K.
Unfortunately this is the nature of the education beast with the Common Core nonsense.
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| Posted 6/30/12 7:30 AM |
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