The Pros and Cons of Sending Your Child to Preschool

Your child is getting to be that age, and you may be wondering whether or not he or she will benefit from going to preschool. You also might be feeling some peer pressure or pressure from family as to whether or not you should send your child to school at so young an age. To help you make your decision, here are some pros and cons of sending your child to preschool.

Pros

Here are some of the positive things about sending your child to preschool.

1. Mommy time

Let’s face it – when you send your child to preschool, you have some time to yourself during the day. This is not some “selfish” desire, but a much-needed break. It could also be your chance to start a project that you’ve been meaning to get done, or even just time to run some child-free errands.

2. Easier transition

When it comes time for “real” school, your child may find it easier to go if he has been to preschool. Basically, preschool helps kids get into the “school” mindset, and helps prepare them for this type of schedule that will dominate their lives for the next 12 years or more!

3. Social time

Preschool can provide your child with some socialization and time with others her age. Preschoolers may benefit from being with others, participating in age-appropriate activities that help them form friendships. What’s more, these friendships may help the later transition into grade school, when some of those same friends may be heading off to kindergarten with your child.

4. Preparation for learning

A good preschool will set your child up for success in school. This is achieved mainly through age-appropriate activities that work on reading readiness, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills. These activities are primarily preparatory, but that’s the point.

Cons

Here are some of the potential negatives to sending your child to preschool.

1. Separation anxiety

Some children find it very difficult to separate from their primary caregiver in order to spend the day (or part of the day) at preschool. This can be an emotionally draining thing for the both of you, and you may decide it’s not worth it. (And this is okay, by the way!) Watch, too, for persistent anxiety and real fear about going to preschool – it could mean the care there is not optimal.

2. Different ideas on discipline

Not being in agreement with the preschool teacher(s) about discipline can be a big con. If you don’t want your child to be spanked, but you know the preschools in your area employ physical punishment, then you may decide to forego preschool for your child.

3. Illness

Preschools are germ factories, and for some families the hassle and hazard of recurring illnesses can be significant. Constant illness getting passed to family members – especially if someone has compromised immunity – can be a real drawback.

4. Not so social

Despite the social “pro” above, some studies indicate that starting preschool too early (and for your child, the “right” age for preschool may still be too early) actually inhibits social development. This may be because kids thrown into a group too soon don’t have the proper social skills and their brains are too young to develop them, so they may cope by shutting down or acting out.

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