To School or Not?

[myboysmom]

This has been such an issue for me and my husband. Our first son started preschool at age 3 two years ago, and he loved it. It was two mornings a week, and his teachers were wonderful. This last year, they have changed the entire system. Before, the 4-5 year olds went 3 mornings a week, then to kindergarten, which in the last 10 years has went from 1/2 days to all day everyday. Well, this year, they applied for a grant which has the only 4 year old group go 1/2 day everyday. I didn't agree with this, so I fought and my son only goes 2 mornings a week, still. (He is the youngest in his class, btw) He asks me everyday if this is a day he has school. I don't think it's b/c he's not sure, it's b/c he doesn't enjoy it. Two years ago, they also began a new program at the elementary called Junior Kindergarten (JK). It started as 1/2 day everyday, but this year they changed it to all day everyday. For the past several months I have had calls from the elementary principal and discussions with my parent education home visitor about whether or not I am going to send my son to JK. It is only for 5 year olds who are just not ready for kindergarten. So, if I wanted to send my son to preschool again 1 more year, I couldn't, even though his birthday isn't until August 14th. (He'll be 5 this year). The reason they've been on me to send him, I think, is b/c he will make the minimum # of kids for the program. The only problem I have is that it's all day. Am I wrong? Am I stressing too much? Don't kids have enough school/work for the rest of their lives? Let them be kids!!
My son is sort of shy, and I think that this may be good for him, as there is only going to be about 8 kids in the class. I just don't want him to hate school by the time he's in 7th grade. Also, one of the reasons I'm considering sending him is purely selfish. I'm due to have our third child in August, and my other son is 2 1/2 years. Maybe it would be nice to have him go to school. I want to do it for the right reasons. Does too much school hurt them?

[momto3jennifer]

Follow your instincts. My son started all day everyday at almost 5, but he was ready and loved it. I would say that most 5 year olds are ready, but there are some that aren't. It also depends on the program. My son's school had all of their "work" (if you call it that - not like worksheets and stuff, but learning activites) in the morning and their afternoons included a rest time, specialists (like music and art teachers) and fun creative activities. If they are working the kids too hard at this age or boring them, they are not likely going to enjoy school. Also could you look into an option of picking your son up at lunch for a few months, then trying full days as the year goes on and he gets more used to it? Just some thoughts....good luck!