is a toddler ready for school?

I think that it really depends on what you as a parent are able to do for your son. My daughter didn't start school until she was five and a half years old and went to kindergarten and it will be the same for my son as well. However, at home I offer them a lot of opportunities to learn. I work with them at home and I also give them opportunities to expand their horizons. In addition to that, my son also has plenty of opportunity to be around other children that are close to his own age. I don't think that there is a right or wrong answer here.

I think it will depend on the child. Some children at his age do great in a classroom setting, others aren't mature enough to handle being there. If you have him in a day care setting and he does fine, then you might give him a try with school, even if only for the soul purpose of him learning how to follow simple school rules and to socialize. Our oldest went to school at 4, and was gone from 8 am til 2 in the afternoon. It made for a long day for him at first, but he quickly adapted and I feel it makes it so much easier of a transition for going to kindergarten, as well as it helps out the teacher when the kids come already knowing how to act and what is expected of them.

Hi, I am a parent to a 6 yr old and a 2 year old. My son who is 2 goes to a structured school, he is no longer in a daycare. Kids his age absord and learn very quickly. Children that age learn thru play and alot of hands on activities and repitition. So far he has learned all his colors, numbers to 20 and alphabet. they have started spanish and some other things. However at that end of the day, you know your toddler best and if he is ready to be in a school like environment. Not all kids are the same and he very well may benefit from more time playing and socializing. Just feel him out. Some schools do offer a part time program from 9-12pm. Maybe you can try something like that to see if he likes it. good luck and remember always trust your motherly instint! :)

In my home country children typically join a nursery school at 3 years old. Then they go into the reception year at a primary school when they are 4 years old. The legal age to join school is year 1 when the child is 5 years old. If a child doesn't go to school until then he or she might be behind the other children. They will have learned the alphabet and numbers up to ten in their reception year. Home schooling is a possibility. I know two girls that were home schooled up until they reached secondary school age. They often popped across to France and became fluent in French. They learned how to cook and played music at a high level. They socialized with other children at the weekends. By the sound of it your son might benefit from a couple of mornings a week at a nursery school and other days at home learning through play. It is great he is interested in books. It is wonderful that he is musical. If you combine nursery school with home learning you get the best of both worlds. My disabled toddler son has attended a playgroup for disabled children three times a week since he was younger. Now he has just joined a nursery school for three mornings a week. He goes to the disabled children's playgroup for two afternoons a week. Once a week he has play therapy from a portage worker. I have three children and I am a primary school teacher.

I have never been a fan of pre school for toddlers. As my 2 older girls grew up, I realised that it would benifit them. They only went 4 days a week 4 hours a day. They were able to play and socialize with other children. It also gave me time to get things done with out having to bring children where it would be too difficult. My daughter who is now in kindergarden really opened up after going to pre school. She was always shy and it helped her open up more and it prepared her for the actual school system. Every parent and child is different and different things suite different families.

Hi, Since your son is 3 years old,then you may consider send him for nursery class,let him play along with other kids and socialize with friends. At least,he will learn on socialize skills and it definitely have good respond to your son. For me, I send my son to nusery class now,he was 3.5 years old and he learn alot of things from school. He can sing lot of nursery songs and learn how to write,colour,etc. It is good for young kid to explore more to outside world rather than keep them at home 24/7. At home, you can always teach him how to colour,write,read books,watch educational vcds,sing nursery rhymes,etc...have fun together with your son.

Some toddlers are ready for school while others are not. Some toddlers reach that emotional and social level quicker than others. Those are the toddlers that are ready and eager for their schooling to begin.

I dont think they are really ready for some formal education but the training they are going to have is good in preparation for pre school years.

Hello in our time there was no convent or modern schools, age five was the right age to be admitted in schools, youngers will not be admitted at all, but my kids (all grown up now) went school at the age of three, same is true for grandkids.. Thanks for sharing. Welcome always friend, cheers. Professor. .

I think a toddler is still not yet ready for school. Let the toddler enjoy his or her being a baby still. After all, the toddler wont understand the things you will be telling her/ him so what is the use? Just let her/ him play and besides, your kid will get there and be ready for school in no time. Do not rush the kid. Everything has its own time.