Playschool - is it really needed?

In relation to the multi-demoninational schools - they often have more religion taught than regular schools.

My friends kids spend a few hours each week learning about other religions & then the parents organise outside classes for their own particular religion, if there is one. They didn't want "all that religous guff", but since decided they wanted the key parts (christening, communion etc) so has spend an average of 2 extra hours each week doing extra curricular classes....they're rather jealous that my kids do it in school (though overall they are delighted with the school).

My kids go to a regular school & the kids who are not participating in religion leave the class & do extra activities elsewhere, so you can choose not to have them participate if you wish. Not sure if this would be available in every school.
 
My kids go to a regular school & the kids who are not participating in religion leave the class & do extra activities elsewhere, so you can choose not to have them participate if you wish. Not sure if this would be available in every school.
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It does in some schools particularly Church of Ireland ones. The C of I are more accepting of children that do not want religious instruction.

I have heard that children that leave class during religious classes are often bullied and ostracised by the other children.
 
so are children who are fat, thin, tall, small, smart, not so smart, red hair, curly hair, funny names, common names etc..
 
pennypitstop said:
One thing i notice on money makeover is that often the attendance of a toddler at playschool is something that a parent will not forgo no matter how much it costs. It was not in vogue with me or any of my palls (althought we did come from families with 3/4 siblings anyway) so i find it strange that its often seen as a non-option to stop it.

I mean could informal playdates with children in the estate or the park not suffice until the child hits big school and mixes like that?
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Some people value it, some don't. I think its very productive, if done properly. Informal playdates often turns into unstructured and unproductive playdates. or they just don't happen at all. If its structured and scheduled, with people with the right skills then should work the same I assume.
 
bond-007 said:
I have heard that children that leave class during religious classes are often bullied and ostracised by the other children.
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Any child could be bullied for any reason - bullies will always zone in on any perceived 'difference' to use against a child - but it could just as easily happen regardless of your child attending religious instruction classes or not.

On my earlier post I suggested that YOU take over teaching your child about different religions, why you dont believe etc...outside of the school. This will result in a balanced view.

Here is a question - did you go to a mainstream religious ethos school?
If yes - have you become indoctrinated as a result?

I did and I havent. I can think for myself and although I cant deny loving my holy communion dress on the day, once I was of an age to think for myself I decided that I didnt believe in God or organised religion.

If you encourage your children to have an open mind they will make up their own minds on it when they are old enough anyway.
 
I think its important as it helps kids interact.I send my 3.5 yr old to early start 2.5hours a day.its helped her more vocally.shes now putting sentences together raher than want that mama she says can i have that please.just a small example.sharing is really important when kids get together and playschool helps
 
michaelm said:
The first year in school - Junior Infants (Low Babies in my day :)) - is just like Playschool meaning that going to Playschool is not an educational necessity.
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Wow that is a very ill-informed statement. Junior Infants is absolutely nothing like playschool. Yes, there are some similar elements such as socialisation and the importance of play opportunities but you seem to forget that there is a whole curriculum of 12 subjects to be followed in school.
For sheer numbers, the two cannot be compared - a ratio of 10:1 in a playschool vs 30+:1 in school.
I think it is very important for children to have some experience of playschool before going to school - as it was pointed out already, it teaches them the basics of sitting down (more important than you might think), eating lunch and playing with other kids.

I could go on with the rant but I won't :)
 
I know somebody who teaches junior infants (primary school). She said she can spot within minutes of the children walking into the classroom, a noticeable difference between the children who attended playschool and those that stayed at home.

When asked about their abilities ie counting, colours etc, she said that the children who attend playschool have a big advantage but within a few months the children who stayed at home have caught up.

She finds the main differences are the children who attend playschool are much more interactive, sociable and confident.
 
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