Calling All Preschool Pushers!
Jul 13 '00
Why do you feel the need to push preschool on my daughter? You, the person who doesn't know me from Adam, why do you think that you know what is best for my children? Why do you pride yourself in thinking that your opinion is the right, excuse me, the only acceptable, intelligent one?
Preschool Pushers Beware! I am not going to sit silently by listening to your lists of reasons why my child should attend preschool at the tender age of 2.5. I don't care to hear how your little Johnny has benefited from exposure with preschool peers. I don't care to hear how every two year old needs 3 years of preschool to properly prepare for kindergarten. Why can't you just accept that not everyone shares your beliefs? I respect your decision to send little Mary to preschool. Why can't you just accept the decision I made for my daughter? How come you can't shut your mouth and open your mind to listen to my reasons to why I don't think that my 2 year old needs preschool. You just might learn something.
First, let me say that this is my choice. I don't recall you being her mother or mine for that matter.
Secondly, I am not against preschool. I don't think that is evil or unnecessary. I think that it does serve a purpose for a number of children. I just don't think that my 2 year old would be better served for it.
Here's my list of reasons and counter arguments to Preschool Pushers that I have encountered.
1) The most common reason Preschool Pushers argue that my daughter needs preschool is because she needs social interaction with children her own age.
Yes, she will be able to interact with classmates her own age. But, does she need it? I think not. Studies already prove that children that stay at home are just as socially adept as children in daycare.
Does that mean that she needs to play with every Tom, Dick and Jane to develop proper social skills? No! Why should she play with: Tom, the biting, critical bully; Dick, the temper throwing drama king, who knows no limits because his parents don't want to harm his self-esteem; and Jane, the one who will only be your friend if you play and think as she thinks?
I am not saying that I should protect my daughter from children or people like this forever, nor, do I want to shelter her. What I am saying is that I want my daughter to learn our family's values and morals before becoming exposed to others. I want my daughter to have a grounded sense of self so that she can stay true to herself when dealing with other children. I want my daughter to be open minded to what others chose to believe based on knowing enough about what our family believes. Only then can she logically determine what is right for her to believe.
Do I want my daughter exposed to people with differing values and morals from people I don't really know? Yes, but not at the age of 2 or 3. She will have a lifetime ahead of her dealing with jerks, angels, and everyone in between.
I am also raising her to become an adult, she already knows how to be a child. Do I hear a gasp? Let me explain. She already interacts with children, her brothers and sisters, and our friend's and family's children. This is important for her to learn how to interact with other adults. However, she also learns how to act with other adults through watching her family's adult interactions. She has and is still learning compromising, respect, manners, and differing viewpoints. She is already considered a social butterfly in our circle of friends and family. She learns to trust and be wary of strangers. For awhile she would not interact with strange men, even if I was present. Smart girl. That is a joke.
2) You'll be sorry once she is in Kindergarten that you didn't prepare her.
Excuse me, did I hear you correctly? I am an intelligent woman and responsible mother. Saying this makes me think that you think otherwise. If I didn't think that I could provide a beneficial learning environment, I would put her in preschool in a heart beat.
My daughter is not delayed in any areas. In fact, I will claim that she is advanced for her age. As a mother to 3 older children and a homeroom mother to many a preschool classroom, I have seen the average preschooler's abilities. As her mother, I am aware of how best to teach her colors, numbers, cognitive skills, spatial skills, self control, and everything else that she will need to master before kindergarten. A home can be just as structured as a classroom.
Why should I put her in a classroom to be taught what she already knows? I've already explained that I don't think that she needs additional social interaction. The only other reason would be educational. I think that I can handle that just fine on my own since she listens to me. She enjoys learning. Teaching my little singer, poet, bookworm, and artist has proved to be easier for me than it was with her older siblings.
When all attempts at convincing me that I am depriving my daughter have failed to sway me, this is the last and most insulting argument:
It only lasts for 2 hours. It's not like she is in daycare. What's the big deal?
Well, Preschool Pusher, right back at you! What is the big deal? You don't see me questioning your decision.
Conclusion:
I think that there are cases where preschool is an invaluable tool to help prepare a child for kindergarten. I am seriously considering my twins going to one due to their personalities and cognitive abilities. My verdict is still out on their preschool future.
However, I believe that the decision to place your child in preschool depends on your child and your beliefs. You know, there are mothers that plan on homeschooling their child(ren). Would you still push your beliefs on them too? If you should answer yes, then you need to start listening and stop debating.
I am not saying that preschool would be detrimental to my daughter. Instead, I believe that the benefits do not outweigh the benefits of her staying home.
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Epinions.com ID:
wavesandshells
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Member: Wendy
Location: Happy Valley, PA
Reviews written: 62
Trusted by: 137 members
About Me:
Hey Mom, how many last nerves do you have?
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