Early Pre School - High Priced Babysitter

I was a pre-school teacher, and I am a mother. I must say, there is nothing a child will learn in pre-school that they wouldn't be able to learn at home with mommy. The benefits of nurturing your toddler are far more significant than what they will be learning in a school setting at the age of three!

Lets call a spade a spade. Pre-school at an early age is just glorified daycare. With eight children of the age of three years assigned to a particular teacher, (in a 'preschool' setting), I can assure you that your child will not be given attention, or affection the same way mommy can. Remembering when mommy used to color with you (in actuality teaching writing, or showing them how to draw shapes) is more intimate, then trying remembering "ms.what-was-her name". I was a preschool teacher in a very reputable, privately owned school. The children in my care were about three years old, sometimes just about to turn three. We had them on a daily routine, we taught them the days of the week, the seasons, numbers, letters, etc. We had snacks, naptime, and story time. The cost for this at that time was $180 a week per child, a discount for more than one.

At the time I had no children of my own, but now I am a mother. Everything I did while I taught preschool, I do with my own children now. They are bright, social, and excel in school. They never attended daycare, excuse me, 'preschool'.

When the time comes to go to kindergarten, all the children are going to learn (or relearn) what they have been practicing at home or in preschool. By starting a toddler in preschool early, you will in no way be creating a genius. Toddlers are toddlers and they should be just that.

If you are concerned about socialization, just think about it, really, how do three year olds socialize? Sure they will play together with others of the same age, but you can do that at the park, a play date, or something along those lines, it surely does not need to be pushed on them. At this age they are learning to share, learning to interpret facial expression in relation to emotion and label the feelings. This can be done at home. It is just common sense, and intuition.

The nurturing done by parents is far more valuable then having them in some sort of early education 'program'. If you must go back to work, then sure early preschool is a good option, but in my opinion, not ideal. I am in no way knocking daycare. I do however believe, and know from first hand experience that early education programs should be called 'daycare', because that is what it is. Falling into the belief that you should start your toddler in school early because of the 'benefits' is just nonsense. The benefits go to those owners of privately owned pre-schools. Right down in their pockets.