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I think that you guys are too critical about the structured classes for kids! I’m a working mom. My children are in Preschool 5 days a week. Exposure to programs like Karate, dance and gymnastic are excellent in my opinion. It is a great form of exercise and builds self esteem.
Posted by: mom2kyra | April 3, 2006 03:04 PM
My son is in preschool 5 days a week, too. On Saturdays he was taking ice skating lessons and now he'll be taking swim lessons. We believe it's up to the individual and the family to decide what's best for them. If it works for you, terrific! I think we were commenting on the general pressure to feel like you need to always have your children enrolled in classes and sometimes unstructured play can be just as beneficial.
Posted by: Erin | April 3, 2006 05:04 PM
Just to add my two cents - My son is in pre-school within our daycare. He attends 5 days a week, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm.
As anyone with children in full-time, private daycare knows, it can be very costly. So I get a little cranky when they start hitting me up for additional money to enroll him in computer classes or exercise classes. Plus, my impression of the exercise class is that they are dancing, singing and playing - activities I expect his teachers to do with him anyway!
That being said, we do believe in structured activities such as swimming lessons (starting this month with Erin!) or soccer - I just don't think we need to jampack their days. We derive so much joy from watching our son play in the backyard on his own - telling stories, creating games and otherwise letting his imagination run wild!
Posted by: Kristin | April 3, 2006 05:04 PM
My son was in daycare from the age of 6 months. On my days off and weekends we did music classes, Gymboree and Kiddie Soccer. Now that my son is 7, I think I'm seeing some of the effects of a very structured day - my son has no idea how to just "hang out". He's always looking for what to do next. I'm taking it a bit more easy with my 18 month old and I'm hoping that she'll appreciate living at a slightly slower pace.
Dianne
Posted by: dmfrom | April 4, 2006 06:04 PM
Thank you for the honest discussion about pre-school and activities for kids. My son is turning 3 and is already taking hockey skating lessons and getting ready for school in the fall. I appreciated the honesty because not only did it give me a new prespective but it also helped me re-affirm my own decisions.
Posted by: burrowsta | April 13, 2006 02:04 AM
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