I haven't read through all the comments, but I'll just say that I'm of the opinion that any kind of "educational" program for kids under the age of 5 is a waste of time. Young kids learn best by play and exploration. Our job as parents is to foster and encourage the joy of discovery and exploration, and to expose kids to a variety of experiences (depending on comfort level, interest, etc, etc.) His interaction with you and the other people in his life is far more important than any so-called educational program.
And really, what does it matter if they know their ABCs and colors by age 2 or 3 or 4? That stuff isn't hard. It's not like they have to learn it by age two or they'll never learn it at all OMGWTFBBQ!!!!! What matters more is their interest: are they interested in coloring? or playing with blocks? or singing songs? Sam took a long time sorting out his colors, but by god that kid could name every kind of construction vehicle by the time he was 18 months old. When I realized that, I didn't worry so much about academic things like ABCs and 123s. I knew he'd pick up on that at his own pace, and he did.
If you fret about these things, just remember: the country with the highest literacy rate in the world is Finland, and they don't teach kids to read until age 7.
All that said, Sam of course is in daycare/preschool because I have to work. He really enjoys it, loves his teacher, his fellow students. Over Christmas holiday he would wake up every morning and ask, "Go to school?" I think preschool is fine so long as it's not overly-academic in orientation, nor just parking them in front of the TV. They have lots of activities at Sam's school, but it's not highly structured or enforced.
So my opinion is: whether you homeschool or preschool ultimately matters far less than the attitude you take to it. Emphasis on play and discovery rather than academics and "education."*
(You already know all this. I'm just trying to reinforce you! :D)
__________ *Ask me sometime if interested, and I'll tell you about a very interesting study on preschool and parenting.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2010-01-18 04:21 pm (UTC)And really, what does it matter if they know their ABCs and colors by age 2 or 3 or 4? That stuff isn't hard. It's not like they have to learn it by age two or they'll never learn it at all OMGWTFBBQ!!!!! What matters more is their interest: are they interested in coloring? or playing with blocks? or singing songs? Sam took a long time sorting out his colors, but by god that kid could name every kind of construction vehicle by the time he was 18 months old. When I realized that, I didn't worry so much about academic things like ABCs and 123s. I knew he'd pick up on that at his own pace, and he did.
If you fret about these things, just remember: the country with the highest literacy rate in the world is Finland, and they don't teach kids to read until age 7.
All that said, Sam of course is in daycare/preschool because I have to work. He really enjoys it, loves his teacher, his fellow students. Over Christmas holiday he would wake up every morning and ask, "Go to school?" I think preschool is fine so long as it's not overly-academic in orientation, nor just parking them in front of the TV. They have lots of activities at Sam's school, but it's not highly structured or enforced.
So my opinion is: whether you homeschool or preschool ultimately matters far less than the attitude you take to it. Emphasis on play and discovery rather than academics and "education."*
(You already know all this. I'm just trying to reinforce you! :D)
__________
*Ask me sometime if interested, and I'll tell you about a very interesting study on preschool and parenting.