Originally Posted by Witty:
My concerns center a lot around academics and social development. By staying in the same classroom my daughter does not get to experience the new play centers, learning activities, etc available in the "established" 3 year-old room. She's stuck in a room tailored for 2 year olds with the same toys and experiences she'd had for a full year. We chose this center based largely in part of the academics and because it's full-Spanish immersion. They loudly tout their academics, so we expect academics. I'm not talking about sitting down learning algebra, but I expect 3 year-olds to be learning numbers past 10 and letters/sounds of the alphabet, which I can't see happening based on the age group she's in. We do that at home, but she's at daycare for 7 hours a day and I want her to be learning at a 3-year old level there as well. They say the class is for 2.5-3.5 year-olds, but in reality it's more like 2.2-3 year-olds, with my daughter and a few children being the oldest (as they were for the latter part of the year in their 2-year old classroom this "older" group all has birthdays between August 15th and September 6th). I would have far less concerns if the 3 year classrooms were divided into 3-3.5 and 3.5-4, but that's not the way it's being done.
By being the oldest, she's not learning from older peers important social clues and pretend play. I have another daughter who's due in November. I expect my second to be the oldest in her class for all of her education based on her birthdate. That's the way life is, and I'm fine with it. But my oldest will be the youngest in her school group, and by not moving her up now she will be stuck with the "younger" age group until kindergarten, when she'll suddenly be thrown into a group of kids where she's the youngest. That's not fair to her, and it's not in her best interest in the long run. She needs to learn how older children handle their emotions so she can mirror it, how older peers play, how to draw squares and color in the lines. She doesn't need another year of being stuck in what is essentially a 2-year-old classroom.
This is a textbook example of how little parents understand the importance of peer interaction.
Your DD does NOT need the older children to show her anything. She needs the younger children so she can grow and develop her own skills and independence. That happens through confidence and self-esteem building.
She will naturally take the lead and be the child that leads others and we need more leaders in this world not more followers.
I suggest you stop worrying about the academics and worry more about your daughters individual success and development. Older peers are NOT necessary for any skill or milestone to be mastered.
You need to stop comparing the age groups of the kids in the center as age really means nothing but how to chronologically count how many years, months or days we have been alive. Maturity and skill set define successful development and since all children develop at their own pace it's sad that you are pushing your daughter verses celebrating HER development at HER own pace.
Focusing so heavily on her age in comparison to others is going to ultimately make her feel as if she doesn't measure up and she will more than likely feel as if she needs to scramble to keep pace with her older classmates. It's a much happier and kinder childhood if you stop making it a race.
My program is heavily influenced by the teachings and philosophies of Maria Montessori and although there can be positives relationships formed with older peers, the relationship between the child and their YOUNGER peers is much more heavily focused on and much more beneficial for the child.
The successes and milestones gained when constantly and continuously being reinforced with the positives of being a role model, a leader and an example for the younger playmates will serve her much better in life than the constant battle to keep up with those that are older and farther along in their development.