When is the Right Time for Pre-School?

I get asked this a lot.  My answer?

If you are after socialization, then starting at 2 years old isfine.  If parents are just after academics, waiting until your child is 4 years old will be better. 

A number of schools, including my own, offer structured Play classes for 2-3 year olds.  A lot of grandparents balk at this notion.  They think that’s way too early for schooling.  “Baka magsawa agad” is the most common reaction. 

It will really all depend in what kind of class you put your toddler in.  If you put him or her in a play based-child-centered program then I am confident your child will thrive.  If it’s an academic traditional setting, then it’s not yet appropriate for toddlers. 

In my opinion, socialization is the single greatest developmental benefit to be gained from a good preschool experience. There are many other emotional and intellectual benefits provided by a child-centered preschool program. I would add that a loving home will provide a child as fine an opportunity for growth as any preschool. The key difference in the home and preschool socialization experiences usually is the degree to which a child has the opportunity to interact with her peers.

At home, because of any number of circumstances, a child may have little opportunity to play, learn, share, or otherwise interact with other children of similar ages. In a preschool that opportunity is built in every day.  

Your child will learn that he or she is not the center of the universe, that he should fall in line, share, take turns and follow teacher.  Those important socialization skills will be hard to learn if your child won’t exposed to kids his own age. 

I always call socialization, magic.  You can’t put a finger on it but you will really see and feel the difference with your child.  The changes are really noticeable.  So far, the parents of the 2-3 year olds in my school are very happy with the development of their kids.  Most common statement:

 “ay teacher bumait na sya, marunong na syang makipag-laro”.

Good socialization skills are key to being successful in school, and eventually, out in the working world too right?  So if you have the means to send your child to a structured play class, by all means do so.  It is important for children to be around other children. 

How about you,  what do you think school is for: academics or socialization?