Most children these days attend some kind of preschool program before entering mainstream education in kindergarten. Preschools have changed since I was in school. Now, they are geared towards preparing the children academically. When children stay home, they miss this and the process of getting to know other children.

If money is an issue, keeping a child at home instead of sending them to preschool seems like a good idea. You don’t have to pay for child care and you can make sure of your child’s surrounding environment. Unfortunately, your child will also miss out on playing with other kids their own age.

Most states offer federally funded preschool programs. If you enroll in one, there is no cost passed on to the parent. Your child receives preparation for kindergarten for free. Some even provide transportation within their own districts. The waiting lists for these programs can be long so you should get your child on one as early as a year before they are ready.

Federally or state funded programs are regulated. These preschools teach counting, color and shape recognition, drawing, physical skills like clapping and waving, and social skills like sharing. These are things that all children need to learn.

A stay at home parent can teach these skills, too. The problem is that the way a parent demonstrates the skill is not a realistic interpretation of how things will be with another child. At the age of two through four, children are self-centered. The universe revolves around them. If Suzy has a toy and Johnny puts out his hand to take it, Suzy may draw back and hold on tighter to her toy. What will Johnny do? He may cry or he may try to pull the toy from Suzy’s arms. An adult will not demonstrate this when teaching their child how to share.

Parents should consider sending their children to preschool at least two or three days a week. What do you have to lose? A free program costs you nothing, but your child has everything to gain. Learning how to interact with children their own age will prepare them for kindergarten. Preschool can give them the social etiquette necessary in relationships throughout their life. Children who interact with others are less selfish and more prone to situational problem solving. They learn the option of playing together as opposed to hogging a toy and not sharing it.

If you are a parent that is dead set against preschool or there are no preschool options in your area, you can introduce socialization into your child’s life if you are resourceful. Play groups offer children the chance to interact with other children. Local churches offer children’s groups. Neighborhoods that have stay-at-home mothers with small children can organize park days for playtime. While the mom’s get a much needed break, the children can learn to play together in the sandbox.

Get your child involved in sports. Tumbling or gymnastics groups not only teach physical skills but also camaraderie and team work. Kids can get involved with pee-wee soccer or T-ball. When situations arise between your child and another, you will have to be the one to explain to your child the right way to handle it.

All of these options are good alternatives. But, unless they are done on a regular basis, your child will not get the constant interaction that is needed with learning new behaviors. If you have younger children at home, it could become a burden for you to take on your preschool age child’s socialization all by yourself.

If you are concerned about the quality of your preschool, look into getting your child placed in another program. When it comes to giving your child a well-rounded education, check all your options. Socialization may seem like a small thing now, but not doing it could affect your child for the rest of their life.