DD, what's up with your helper???? home sick? want to go home??
Child attending childcare vs learning at home
THis is my take. I believe every child will learn anything wherever they are, i.e. at home or at school. They just learn different thing at different places. I think There is no right age to say when they must learn the alphabets or counting or etc? However, at some point in time, they have to start to learn social skills/independence, which they may not be exposed to at home. When is the most ideal time for what?, it is dependent on circumstances, when the child will be ready, when the parent will be ready. I do not believe that there is a defined right age for everything. Every child is different.
DD, I understand how you feel. But you need to know that children are more adaptable than you think. Their survival instincts are also much stronger than you give them credit for. Most often than not, it is the parent who can;t let go. I thought Eboy would never be able to do it until one day, i decided to harden my heart to do it. He cried less than 1 min and immediately accepted the fact that I was gone and he might as well enjoy the rest of the programme. So from taht day, he had stopped crying, only at the beginning when we need to go. The teacher whom he can attach to in the first few sessions is important. He must not be neglected or left to cry alone. I left him at the mygym where he knows the teachers (from attending the gym classes since he was 10 mths old) and he is ok with the environment. no doubt the curriculum is not as structured and mostly play, but he did learn to follow the rest, do the tasks himself, put his water bottle properly etc.. it is only twice a week for 2 hours. He has gotten used to it already. The teacher sends me SMS while the lesson is in progress to tell me that Eboy is alrgith and that he is participating. I think that helps a lot. Find a school that has teachers who understands the separation, and willing to hand-hold until the child gets used to not having parents around. I think most child gets adapted very quickly, cos afterall, the programme is fun and they play!
Adnother advise is that the school should be clsoe to home to minimise travelling time. Plus, when you are on leave, you do not need to still travel all the way to work palce (like in your case where your work place is so far away)...
Oh, and when he did very well in school, the teacher will sms to ask me to praise him and reward him with a small toy. I think that worked too.
If you are not ready, and if circumstances allow, then dun send him. But having said that, its now or later, at some point in time, you have to do it. So. is it now? if not, when? I think your views will change when you start seeing your child enjoying going to school and coming home with the arts and craft they learn in school, or learn new words.... or when teacher praise him for something.. the amount of pride swell up inside you is indescribable..