When our children turn 3 years old and reach that age when regulated schooling begins (which is not compulsory), many mothers and fathers ask ourselves precisely that, should they go to school or not? Do I need to go so soon? Do you have any extra benefits to go? And any harm not going?
At least I have had these doubts and now that the new course begins, it seems like a good time to share with you what I have learned along the way and the ideas that have helped me make a decision.
I know that for many there is nothing to decide about it, but when something is stirred inside with this issue, when you do not see it clearly and you are constantly assaulted by questions like these “Do you really need to go to school when you are 3 years old? Is he ready? Is it necessary? Does he want it? Do I or his dad want it? ”… You can’t turn a deaf ear. At least, it is good to consider it, to know the reality and the options of each one to decide.
It had always been clear to me that I would not school Terrícola at the age of 3, at least not in a traditional school, but as time progressed, a lot of questions began to arise. Why don’t I take him to school? Is it out of interest of mine or is it born out of him? Do you need to socialize with the same children on a daily basis, in the same group? Will I be able to offer the variety of stimuli that maybe offer him a school?
You see that I am to ask myself a lot of questions and ask me everything, hehe. But then it is time to read, learn, talk with other moms, consult … your head is making “clicks” and “ahá’s” and the answers are coming.
QUESTIONS AND QUESTIONS THAT HELPED ME DECIDE
I will tell you what things have helped me to see this issue more clearly (why in this article I speak only about myself, what I felt in relation to this issue and what has helped me understand why and find answers).
- Ask me what premium for me, what is more important, spend another year together or socialize with friends of YOUR AGE? And I put it in capital letters because even if he does not go to school he will socialize the same, even though it is not with a lot of children of the same age.
- How am I, who am I with the little one every day, and how is the rest of the family. This is important because if we are going to be at home with children over three years old it is good that we are proactive, that we can nurture them with a variety of experiences, that we have materials and books at home that arouse their curiosity, that we look for spaces for meeting with other families or children (it does not matter if they are parenting groups, in the parks …).
- What educational alternatives do I have? Do any really convince me? Do I believe in the project or ideology of the public school that I have next to home? And if I like a school that is far away, does it compensate me for my family to make those trips every day?
- What needs do I have, as a mother or father? And I’m not just talking about financial needs, but also emotional ones. Maybe we need a space of our own, or maybe we don’t, we love our work, or we don’t, etc. etc. You also have to think about what makes us adults happiest.
- And last but not least (not to say the most important) Does my child want to go to school? How is he?
All of these are open questions, each family will answer one thing or another. But once answered … the decision begins to take shape, in whatever sense.
SOCIALIZATION OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN
One of the issues that most concerned me was the child’s socialization . The truth is that most children go to school in the mornings and towns and cities are deserted as little ones, but there are many other options, you just have to search and find what is best for each family.
- Shared parenting groups with families. They are usually spaces in which moms or dads and children share a space for a certain number of days, so it is a place where young and old can socialize.
- Find families in the same situation. Sometimes we think we are alone but if we move… we will surely find other families not far away that are just like us.
- Attend workshops or activitiesthat are in line with the education we want for our children. For example, psychomotor skills in the family, art workshops, dance, music … that are taught from a non-directive perspective. Many free education schools do respectful activities in the afternoons, which help them finance their project and are an excellent option.
- Live long !! And by that I mean being on the move. Go to see museums, go to the mountains, take the train, the bus, do the shopping, etc. etc. Life itself brings millions of stimuli and people to share with. Why do we think they have to socialize only with children their age? 100 years ago it was common to socialize exclusively with children of the same sex at school and look how much it has changed now! It is possible that from here another 100 classes are varied in age, all enjoying what that experience brings or that homeschooling has been normalized. What today is, tomorrow maybe not.