To Preschool or Not to Preschool
…. this is one of the current hot topics with SAHM (stay-at-home-moms) today. Parents make choices for their family every day: from what to eat for breakfast, when to schedule appointments, to what activities the children will be doing on a given day.
When the decision is made for one of the parents to become a SAHP (stay-at-home-parent) that doesn’t necessarily mean that the parent and child will be joined at the hip -never to part.
Children will grow & thrive in whatever situation they are in, given they are stimulated socially, cognitively, and are given the opportunity to run & learn through play. While being a SAHP, you can offer your child(ren) a loving, structured developmentally appropriate setting in which they can learn, grow & explore the world around them.
A child does not have to be enrolled in preschool for them to be given the experiences for them to develop well, and be ready for kindergarten down the road.
However, with that said, preschool or some type of social &/or academic program isn’t a bad thing for a child of a SAHP. It is important that children learn how to be social & get along with other children & adults (children do not begin playing together until around 2 years of age - before then it is considered parallel play) & for them to learn how to get along in a structured setting. Often times, a SAHP w/ more than one child may feel that their children will be more prepared by participating in a structured program before entering kindergarten.
There are several different choices available for children of SAHP:
Preschool: an academically based curriculum can help a child learn social skills, focus on cognitive development, and prepare a child for the separation that may come once they enter kindergarten
Mother’s Morning Out Programs (MMO): provides a social setting in a home, daycare, or church setting where children meet up for 2-3 hours in the morning - 2-3x/week:
Mommy & Me programs: parents participate in a structured dance, music or other type of class w/ their child
Only each family knows what is right for them. A SAHP who always has their children w/them & teaches them only at home is doing the right thing for them; a SAHP who chooses to enroll their child in a part time or full time preschool program is doing what is right for their family.
As parents we need to embrace our differences and show our children that there are many different ways to do things. I love my children & have made the choice to enroll my older two in a MMO (right now) 1x/week. And as my children grow I will assess their development & decide then if instruction outside of our home is what they need.
Not every SAHP can afford to send their children to a program outside of the house. And it isn’t always necessary to do so - there are so many activities that can be done at home to expose children to social and academic experiences! Local businesses & libraries often have free activities for children during the week (story times, music time etc … )
Check out the sites below for some engaging & stimulating activities that can be done at home: