How do I know if my child is ready for preschool?

Angel Klym: Please notice that the articles cited by the first post that are supposedly both "research" papers are sponsored by groups that are political (Tea Party type Political). They both start off criticizing Obama. The mission of the first group is: " to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense". Notice that they are not an early childhood organization. You can use research to make any point you wish if if you take the things you like and ignore what you don't.In answer to your question, Your child is ready for preschool when he reaches the right age. A good preschool will support your child's development at the level he enters. I am a preschool teacher. There are many more skills that children learn than letters of the alphabet and memorizing words. Kindergarten teachers will tell you that children who have! attended preschool (not child care) do much better entering Kindergarten. When you child is 4, that will be fine. Prior to that, encourage your child to play and explore. Follow his lead! Don't try to teach him words you want him to know. The love of learning and to explore the world is the most important. Clearly your child, in terms of reading is ahead of many other children entering preschool. What I don't know is if he has enjoyed his learning, if he sees reading as a way to get meaning (not just to decode words) or if he loves to play with a wide range of things.If you would like to see what preschool can encompass, take a look at the Vermont Early Learning Standards.http://dcf.vermont.gov/sites/dcf/files/pdf/cdd/car......Show more

Davida Gisriel: Save your money. Wait till he is four. And check out this research on universal preschool. Not all that its cracked up to be. Sounds like you are doing a great job with teaching him. At-risk kids with delays do ! better going to preschool. Wait till the year before kindergar! ten. To get you and him out, look at: library story times/summer reading programs, zoo classes, theater, soccer, play groups. All these will give let him 'explore his world'. He will learn how to interact with a wide variety of people in a wide variety of settings. Enjoy you lil one while he is young, and let him explore the world. ~~~ at-risk Pre K teacher, 15 years. ~~~...Show more

Jude Colbenson: I agree with Bobbi. Most of our parents send their children to us to learn those things. I had a parent that left her child on the first day with one instruction: don't eat the playdough. I found out that she meant it!One thing you can't teach this child is how to interact with other children. Community sports, events, etc. will take care of that for you.I am the director of a church preschool. Our program is 1/2 days and offers students a lot of interaction time, as well as instruction time. If you want to send your child to a 3 year old program, you might want to! check out something besides state-funded preschool....Show more