Preschool Dropout! Why We Took Our Child Out of Pre-School

My kid is just too cool for school!

Of course I don’t believe that my child is too cool for school, but I couldn’t resist! Last week Greg and I made yet nother hard parenting decision — to withdraw Ari from his lovely school.

Ari is three and really seemed to enjoy school. He was attending two half-days a week.

The Dilemma

Ari’s teachers shared LOTS of wonderful things with us. But they shared a few concerns:

• Ari plays alone or alongside other children, but rarely with them.
• They have a difficult time understanding Ari.
• Ari isn’t able to longer periods of time like the other children.

A friend who is a pre-school teacher and Google told me that for a young three-year old that playing alone and or alongside others (parallel play) is normal.

ENTER CRAZY MOMMA!

The images in my head of Ari playing alone while the other children played together are disheartening, especially when Ari plays with his friends when we are on play-dates.

It is difficult to understand what Ari is trying to say, and again those darn images enter my head! I can see it — Ari trying to desperately to communicate with his friends the best he knows how. Them not having a clue what he’s saying and simply walking away :(. Is this why he plays alone? What if he had a problem and wanted to tell an adult, they may not be able to understand him and his issue would have to be brushed under the rug.

Lastly, Ari is NOT a sitter. He truly is a jumper, runner, and player. It is very possible that at three he isn’t ready for that type of environment? Maybe he would benefit from a different type of school that implements the Reggio Emilia approach or he just needs more time to mature? What activity could I place him in that would encourage him to be a jumpy runny tumbling child?

My Realization

• I am a STAY AT HOME mom (SAHM), Ari can stay at home with me! DUH! Mind blown!
• Ari is THREE years old. He does not have to go to school, although around here sending your child to pre-school is what you do. Honestly, I knew I was going to send him to preschool after working at a school and witnessed how much fun the children were having. But, I now know how important it is to meet your child  before making plans for them — children are people too 🙂

The Plan

Our plan is to keep Ari engaged in activities tailored to his needs. Activities that will allow him to reach his full potential.

• Enroll Ari in speech therapy
• Register Ari for one or two activities (sports, gymnastics, music etc) a week with the hope that he will find something he enjoys.  Also I hope these activities will allow him to put his extra energy to good use.
• Continue attending play-dates and keep him social. I don’t want to force him to be an outgoing social butterfly if he isn’t. I respect the introvert way, because I am one myself. I actually admire Ari for finding so much joy in spending time in his own presence.
• Have age appropriate curriculum/activities on hand to make learning fun
• Spending much-needed one-on-one time with mommy

Reflection and After Thoughts

Being a parent is hard. I can only do what I believe to be best for my child. The hardest part is second guessing our choice. The more time I have to sit with the decision I believe it was the right choice, if for no other reason than the fact that I followed my instincts as a mom.

All in All…

This issue wasn’t a question about Ari being ready for school or if he attended a good school (because it is a good school in my opinion) it’s about him being in the right school. For now he will be attending The School of the Hard Knock Mommy lol.

Last but not least this has helped me to advocate for my child, no matter how small the perceived issue — and I am proud of that.