Thank you for this much-needed forum!

[Mom of 5]

Thank you so much for responding so quickly to my suggestion. So many moms have needed a forum for 3's and 4's for a long time!

:thankyou: :yippee:

[hutile]

Just popping in to jump up & down...
I have 2 yo twins, but I also have a 4 year old singleton who wants to be a twin.

My 4 yo is now old enough to attend the preschool program here in my town. The problem is that it stinks...

QUESTION?

Is preschool benificial (sp) if the program that is used stinks? If the teachers stink? If overall the only available school just stinks?
I have taught preschool and kindergarten and feel like the program that is offered in my area is just not enough. They seem to have a high teacher turnover, too many kids and inconsistant daily activities. I was thinking that I could probably do a better job here at home and do it with my 2 yo's too. And they all would get more out of it.
I also do childcare afterschool, so the little one's also interact with older kids as well.
Any ideas?

[ourtwinmom]

Thanks for the new forum!

As for preschool if it stinks I wouldn't do it - IMO. This is the age they develop social skills and with too many kids, etc I think I would look for other options. Are there any churches in your area that offer preschool or community centers?

Home schooling could work well. Will your DD go to kindergarden in fall? If so you can ask for a list of what skills they like them to have when entering (although it sounds you know from your teaching history - awesome). Cutting, writing, etc!

I am thankful I love our preschool! Mine are learning so much!

[bka83]

Beth - What a great idea! Thanks for the forum.

[mylittlelovebugs]

:woo: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :kiss: THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! :love:

[Ma Kettle]

:woo: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :kiss: THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! :love:

:dito:

[2blessed]

wow, I just say this! I tend to talk with the moms in the birthmonth for good advice on the age we are at, but this will be neat too!

[aewilliams]

I agree, I was so excited to see this new Forum!! My girls will be 4 in March and it will be so nice to be able to come here to hear about others that have twins the same age!!

Amy

[catarina]

QUESTION?

Is preschool benificial (sp) if the program that is used stinks? If the teachers stink? If overall the only available school just stinks?
I have taught preschool and kindergarten and feel like the program that is offered in my area is just not enough. They seem to have a high teacher turnover, too many kids and inconsistant daily activities. I was thinking that I could probably do a better job here at home and do it with my 2 yo's too. And they all would get more out of it.
I also do childcare afterschool, so the little one's also interact with older kids as well.
Any ideas?

As to whether or not pre school is benefical I think it depends on the child. My reasons for putting my kids in pre school were (1) socializing and interacting with the same children and developing friendships. Although we did playdates with the same people, I didn't feel like they were getting that. (2) Although we did activities and drawings at home, doing them in a group setting with an instructor is different. Besides they learn to receive discipline from someone other than Mom & Dad. (3) Language skills, my kids are being raised bilingual and I felt they really needed to have a couple of days a week were they can express themselves in English. (4) I needed some time to myself. :love:

Thanks for the new forum!
As for preschool if it stinks I wouldn't do it - IMO. This is the age they develop social skills and with too many kids, etc I think I would look for other options. Are there any churches in your area that offer preschool or community centers?

Home schooling could work well. Will your DD go to kindergarden in fall? If so you can ask for a list of what skills they like them to have when entering (although it sounds you know from your teaching history - awesome). Cutting, writing, etc!

I am thankful I love our preschool! Mine are learning so much!

I agree with Karen, if it stinks and you know you will not be happy then don't send them. Mine do go to a church preschool, I don't have a problem with this as they are not shoving religion down their throat at this age. There is strong emphasis on Christmas, Easter and other religious holidays and I don't have a problem with that.

I have to say that they are learning a TON!!! The language and expressive skills have tripled since they started school in September. I've seen more of an improvement since they've been in school than the speech therapy we've been getting for the past year and half!

[Mom of 5]

QUESTION?

Is preschool benificial (sp) if the program that is used stinks? If the teachers stink? If overall the only available school just stinks?
I have taught preschool and kindergarten and feel like the program that is offered in my area is just not enough. They seem to have a high teacher turnover, too many kids and inconsistant daily activities. I was thinking that I could probably do a better job here at home and do it with my 2 yo's too. And they all would get more out of it.
I also do childcare afterschool, so the little one's also interact with older kids as well.
Any ideas?
I think if the preschool does not have enthusiastic staff, low ratios, and consistent, engaging daily activities, it would be better not to enroll her until you can find something else.

It sounds like she's getting to activities and the socialization from the environment that you are already providing.

If there is another preschool that is better, it is beneficial to have her go, but if there is none, I'd hold off on it.

In then meantime, is there another activity she can be enrolled in, i.e. gymnastics, soccer, swimming lessons; something that is teacher/coach directed with a small group of peers, even just for an hour a week? Mine are on waiting lists for preschools, but starting them in a gymnastics class has helped tremendously with their activity level at home, and understanding the concepts of listening to a teacher and waiting their turn with other kids.

We have several good preschools in our local area, but my issue is getting a slot for both twins at the same time. Slots only open up one at a time. I'm hoping to get the twins in for September.

In

[double dip]

Well since my girls turned 3 last week, I guess I have another place to post -EXCITING!

I also wanted to say to the mom about preschool that I think at this age the program is super important since it will shape their attitude about school and learning in general. If you are not happy - pull her out. (I am a former teacher too BTW and struggle with IF I want to send my girls to preschool or keep them with me as I think I can do a great job with them)

Also wanted to suggest you check out some Montessori books and philosophies. They actually prefer that ages 3-6 are grouped together. I have found a lot of great resources at my public library - books and even videos. I babysit 2 other girls (twins) 3 days a week and have started to incorporate Montessori type activities into our day. I think it could really help give all your kids in your care a good experience until you decide what to do with your oldest dd. Also, not sure what your day is like but we have a zoo membership we love...that is so appropriate for all ages. We also love our toddler tales storytimes (great for ages 2-4) at the public library and my parents also got us a membership to the childrens museum & the science discovery museum. They get us the family passes as Christmas & birthday gifts. I think at this age that type of learning through experience is unmatched in a school program and could easily take its place or add to it.

Good Luck
Kristin

[mrsljb]

I just saw this...how nice to have another place to post about our age level kids!

As for the preschool program...my boys go once a week to a little tykes program at our park district which is awesome, and I am hoping to send them to the preschool program in the fall...my DD went to both and I loved them!

Our school district also offers a preschool and pre K program, so maybe you could check with your school district and see if they offer a program.

I don't think that I could put my kid in a program that I didn't like just for the sake of sociallization....I can find other programs that do the same. Sounds like you have a good group of kids that interact and you probably do alot of things with them at home already...use your gut instincts and I'm sure you will make the right decision.

[busyFLmom]

This is great! :yippee: I was really feeling like an outsider on the toddler board.

Thanks Beth!! Great idea!!

[heavensentme4]

:woo:

Heather I have no idea as mine are not in preschool until Sept and they have to go because my program starts then and I will be in school m-f. I hope it goes well!

[my3sweeties]

:yippee:

I love it.

[TQLeo]

:love: :yippee: Thank you!!!

Ours start in Sept.

[Larkynsmommy]

Great Forum, I need this!!!! :)

[helene1108]

I'm really liking this forum too...esp b/c it's all geared towards 3's and 4's and I all need all the help I can get..:snicker:

Heather, if you're not happy with the preschool in your area and you think you'd like homeschooling, I say go for it! I have a friend who did preschool homeschooling with her triplets and she loved it!! She ordered a program online that she raved about. Can't remember the name of it but I can find out if you like. Cole and Bella go to a Christian-based preschool and I'm happy with the program so far, although it's not perfect. But then again I'm not sure that any school is perfect 100%.

[hutile]

Yea, I know I can do it on my own. I used to teach it before/during dd#1.
But I really don't know if she'd be missing any of the social parts by doing it at home.
She'll have younger childer to interact with, older daycare kids who come afterschool to interact with, 1/1 computer time, at her pace, cooking, music, art etc.. and all of it I hope to include my 2 year olds too.
I hope to also have the ability to continue field trips to the zoo, grocery store and stuff like that, that i know kids gets alot out of too. We make it a game and make grocery lists that have pictures and words on it of items that SHE wants, and as we go throught the store she finds them and checks them off.
Right now we are using a daily word list, with words on it that she is starting to recognize.
I just don't want to resort to the old letter teaching that I did at the preschool. I want to keep it more fun.