What About Preschool?

My eldest attended Co-operative preschool at age four. None of the others did, because I realized it was not for me. It did not possess the structure I desired. Children were pretty much allowed to do as they pleased, whereas it is my contention that they need to at least try everything. Some of the boys spent that entire year playing with blocks and trucks!

After that, I utilized short-term programs offered by the city through the Department of Parks and Recreation(six weeks each in the Fall, Winter, and Spring), and then a program offered at Howe High School for a limited number of children in the Fall and Spring.

Of course I supplemented all these programs at home with plenty of crafts, play materials, reading, and so on.....

Looking back, I remember that having the tip of Noelle's finger ripped off by a kid throwing a big wooden block did not help my opinion of Co-op! She often complained that the boys would rampage through the "housekeeping" area, and nothing was ever done about it.....allowing a boy to wear his coat during class annoyed me too....because it was for no other reason than that he did not want to take it off!
My grandchildren have attended Day Care, Co-op's, and church-run pre-school programs, with the desired results.......some structure, socialization, and a little break for mom!

To clarify, the Howe program was an adjunct to a class taught by Mrs. (Blanche?) Ferguson, and gave her students experience working and interacting with children. I hope there are such programs today. Mrs. Ferguson prompted me to enroll Daniel in kindergarten right from her class(around December), I think he had just turned five, and I was able to get him into Miss Schmink's class at OLL for the remainder of the year.

Remember, YOUR reinforcement of the things taught in pre-school, plus your supplemental activities at home and beyond are the things that enable your children to get the most out of
the years before the age of five....the years when their brains are absorbing things like a
sponge....so be sure to help your children be ALL they can be! They will thank you for it one day....mine did:0)