January 12, 2018
Proud Of My Pre-School Dropout


Dr. Laura:

Recently, my best friend and I were talking about our children and all the funny things they have said and done.  She was a room “helper” at my son’s kindergarten, and when the teacher asked the students where they had gone to pre-school, my son stated proudly that he was a “pre-school dropout!”  

When my son was three, I signed him up for preschool, but a few months later, he asked if he could quit.  So I said we could have our own fun preschool at home.  I recreated my favorite TV show of the 1960s – “Romper Room”-- in our dining room.  I had toys in baskets, a hook for stick horses, picture books on shelves, an art area and a felt weatherboard.  It was a cool playroom that looked like preschool.  We read stories together, drew pictures together, had stuffed animals as “schoolmates” and we even had a pretend preschool “play.”  Sometimes we’d go out to a duck pond and watch the ducks as we ate our packed lunches.  This was one of the best memories for both of us, and pretend preschool was a time when he didn’t have to share his mom or anything with anyone.

As a young adult, he’s a great student, funny, happy, charmingly assertive, talented, chivalrous, and well-liked by many.  Sorry, pre-school advocates, but there goes your theory about how preschool improves socialization and allows your child to get ahead earlier.  Many years later, I’m still proud of my pre-school dropout!

Liz



Posted by Staff at 10:59 AM