Moving on....basically because I can't stand to write about how much I've screwed up anymore!
I've having some trouble with Cole (4 yrs in April) not wanting to go to preschool. He goes to school 3 days a week for 2.5 hours a day. That's very part-time, lol. He goes to an actual preschool, not a daycare with a preschool program. So all the children are coming and going at the same time. He tells me each morning he doesn't want to go. He goes, but I still have a hard time sending him, when he's telling me he doesn't want to go. Having taught preschool, for 6 years, and working in many daycares during high school, and college.....usually when the kids don't want to go to school....it's because they are having some sort of trouble there. Either they got in trouble the day before about something, they don't like their teacher, or they are having a problem with a classmate. Not always the case, but usually there is a reason.
This of course makes me wonder when Cole is telling me he doesn't want to go. Although, this isn't new....he has always said he doesn't want to go. I don't take him to school myself, my mom takes him on the days my hubs is at work. Something dawned on me this morning however. I have 3 school age boys here in the mornings, plus my reg daycare kids. The boys were all playing with paper airplanes, and bouncing around. They leave at 8:30 for school, which is the same time Cole leaves. But, my mom starts trying to get Cole ready to go about 8:20....when the boys are still here. It hit me today, that Cole may just not want to leave a house full of kids, and go to school. I'm betting that his classmates don't leave a house full of kids to play with, and Cole does. He has told me he doesn't like his "school friends" he just likes his "daycare friends". Well do you consider it daycare when it's your house? lol. So I think we may have found the problem. It's not necessarily school he doesn't like, it's leaving his friends at home that he doesn't like. Understandable! I do feel a little better now.
I'm struggling with what I'm going to do for a Pre-K program for him. Our local school district has an all day preschool. That is in our middle school, that runs 9-3 four days a week. You can go 2 days or 4 days. Part of me thinks this would be good for him. Getting used to a full school day, and going to school in our district where he would be meeting kids that he would most likely be going to Kindergarten with. But, the other part of me thinks he's not ready for a full day like that, and I should keep him at his school he's at, where he already has friends.....and where he does have one classmate that will go to his school for kindergarten as well. The school he attends now is in our church. Although it's only 10 mins from our house, it's a different school district. Majority of those students he goes to school with will not be in the same district for Kindergarten.
I'm sure I'm over-thinking all of this.....but it's important that I make the best decision for Cole. I want him to be comfortable, and to be honest....I don't know if I'm ready for him to be gone all day! Pathetic, I know. But, time is running out and registration processes are already beginning, and I need to make a decision! AHH. Being a parent is tough, lol.
Opinions.......is 9-3 too long of a day for a 4 year old?
My happy boy before his Doctors appointment yesterday. I may or may not have bribed him with a milkshake to be good at the Doctor ! :)
I am going through these things too! Savannah will say she doesn't want to go to preschool, but I think she just wants to be with me. Bc she always enjoys it there.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I was trying to decide what to do next year as well. I might be a little selfish and want to keep her home with me since its her last year before kindergarten. But I'm going to do preschool at least 2 days, probably 3. It's just 2.5 hours though.
I would say 9-3 is fine for 2 days per week... But maybe not 4?
I think 9-3 is fine but every kid is different! I willl say not to worry about the friends thing. Andrew is in 1st grade and this is the first year he has true FRIENDS he talks about moving in with... but thats besides the point. lol
ReplyDeleteTyler was 4 when he went all day and he loved it, they have gym class and do activities, they can buy lunch like they would in school and they do have a rest time. I was very happy with the program, just wished I would have sent him 4 days
ReplyDeleteThat's ok that you didn't link up! But we missed you :) I'm not sure how long is too long for a 4 year old, but I'm sure whatever decision you make it will be a good one for him!
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