At what should you send your child to school?

These people who say it's a bad idea, what are their reasons? Are they people who simply don't like to take their kids somewhere and leave them? Do they think that by sending your kid somewhere for a couple hours means your a bad mom? Because I don't agree. I think your child should go to the playgroup. Too many children enter pre-school with no idea how to socialize, how to share, or how to deal with being away from their parents. They need to be slowly emmersed in it, and I think starting at 2 hours a day at your child's age is great.

This will give your child time to socialize with other children. I think that it is a good idea. It will also teach your son that he is ok being left with other people. This will help with him having to go threw seperation issues when he is a bit older. I think that it will be good for him. It will probably be harder on you to take him and leave him there. This will be a great time for you to do some errands or just have some you time.

My son went to his prep when he was 20 months old. They just wanted to see if he could stay without his parents in unknown environment, which he did. Then when he was 3½ yrs, he joined a proper school. For joining a school, age should not matter, rather I think the earlier you allow him to mix with other children, the faster he will let go of your apron strings. Many children, who have spent their pre-school years solely at school without any outside interaction, have difficulty in suddenly adapting to school life and gradually develop a school phobia. It becomes very difficult to mould them, then. Spending two to three hours daily at a prep is a very good idea, it also makes children independent and teaches them to take care of their own things!

I think it's good to send him to a playgroup sometimes because in that way he can learn to play with other children. I sometimes bring my baby to a playgroup just twice a week

The word 'age' is missing from the discussion,but o.k. it is understandable. I think 18 months is too early for the child to go to school. My both kids are of the months nov and dec.So I put them to school when they were 21/2 yrs.But still I felt pity for them when they returned home with those tired faces. So let your child enjoy his childhood and wait for 1 year. Rest depends on you.

I don't see any reason not to. He gets to interact with other children, you get a little time to yourself, it's a win-win for both of you. The only drawback in today's childcare is being able to totally trust the people you leave him with, even if it's only for a few hours. Get to know them and hang out a few times before you leave him there alone. That will make you feel better and he will know them before you go away.

my 5 year old went to playgroup at 2 and a half and she was more than ready it was just 2 afternoons per week for 2 hours at a time and it gave her a great chance to play without me and learn to be away from me. It also gave me some much needed time to myself (although i usually spent the time food shopping or cleaning!). My youngest is 25 months old and will be starting playgroup in August. Again just for 4 hours per week but i really think its what we both need. u know your son better than anyone so i think you will make the right decision.

When i jioned my son at 21/2 yrs he started crying all the days continuosly and gets sick very rapidly and then we stopped him from not going and then continued him at the age of 3yrs and now he goes very happily without any complaint and plays with every kid and is very happy and enjoing his school,so i think it depends one's child psycology,if your son is easy going with the situation and easily mingles with others kids and even with the strangers and enjoys playing with others in your absence then it is good to join him in the school. All the best.

As long as it's a playgroup you're comfortable with and is confident will do a good job in tending to your child, then I would say by all means, do it! It will be very good for your child. I also started socializing my son around the same age as yours. He's 2 now and is already a great people person :) He plays well with other kids, learns to share and is very considerate. And it will be good for you as well to be able to take some "time off" to do something for yourself. Don't ever allow anyone to make you feel guilty for doing that. One of the best things you can do for your child is to look after yourself too. If you are well, you are then able to take good care of your child.

Hi. I tink you should see how your son goes about it. If you feel that he should be sent to playgroup at 18 than go ahead and send him but just not be commited to keep him there for a long period like two months. Send him for one week at the begining and if he doesn't complain than let him be there for as long as you wish.

Well, my wife started taking my son to play group when he was only 6 months old, so he could mingle with other babies and toddlers. He loved it, and kept going until he started kindy. I think it is great for the young ones, a good environment for them to get used to, and it also benefits the mum's, as they can share their concerns with other mums.

Your kids are only little once and it passes so fast! 18 months is young. I don't know...i never sent my girls to play groups. there was enough age difference between my youngest and her older siblings that it was as if she were an only child. I worked nites and had my days free. What I did was to take on one other little girl whose mom needed daycare for her daughter. Each day we did field trips,craft projects, art, painting, baking, etc. etc. It was alot of fun for all of us. I did not get paid for this even tho I was supposed to be. Still I came out ahead. I got time with my daughter and we both have alot of great memories. It's a bit of work planning ahead for the days activities but well worth it. 18 months is a bit young to even really be worried about it. My daughter was not quite 4 when I did this. I would not worry about it. this is your time for your child....you won't get these days back...cherish them

I say its a great oppturnity to try for both you and your son . It can be alot of fun for your son and I know my son loves to play with kids but then sometimes I never fit in with the adults there but I would never stop him playing with kids unless if there was a reason too.Some playgroups will offer a mom's nite out. Just make sure that where you and your son meet is in a safe area and no adult treats your son mean .