I feel like my child is not learning anything in preschool

My 4 year old started preschool it’s his second week and he’s not learning anything I’m really worried because I feel like they won’t teach him how to identify letters numbers write his name. I just want him ready for kindergarten. What do I do I feel like it’s just daycare not school

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That’s where you come in. You teach him to count know his colors ect. You just don’t leave to to the preschool

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Sounds like a job for his parents.

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First 2 weeks is learning proper classroom etiquette. Lining up. Raising hands. Bathroom breaks. Learning their new routines. It’s a lot for 20 something kids who just came from home and have never been in a classroom. My son’s preschool warned us the first quarter was usually the kids learning how to be at school in general

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You shouldn’t be expecting them to learn everything AT school… my daughter just turned 2 and she can count to at least 5 and knows multiple colors. I wouldn’t worry too much since it’s only week two, they have to get kids (especially younger ones) used to being there and the routine of things before really focusing on learning.

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They have certain requirements that need to meet usually for kinder. I worked in preschool for 4 years, it’s rare that the kids learn anything significant in just 2 weeks. It also takes parents working with them at home. We can almost always tell which kiddos have parents that work with them at home. But I’d definitely give it more time.
Not only that, most of pre-K is learning through play, they learn to problem solve, fine motor skills, patience, sharing ect. It’s a lot of learning through play but they also do letters numbers colors and identifying things. But they’re not gonna learn everything that fast

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It’s the 2nd week… no kid is going to automatically learn new stuff as soon as they walk in the door. They’re probably not even really teaching much yet. It’s only been 2 weeks. Also, work with him yourself, don’t rely on preschool to do it all for you. He probably should have known a lot of that stuff, or well on his way to learning it, by now anyway. Not the preschool’s fault.

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You’re 2 weeks in… Give it some time.

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Tbh a lot of children at 4 have already learned those things. But you’ll be surprised how quickly he does learn & how much he’ll know by next quarter or so. Also, you can communicate your concerns with his teacher.

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Preschool is technically not for learning per say. It’s to teach a schedule and a routine for kindergarten

2 weeks in and you’re worried? This has got to be a joke…

so teach him. youre the parent. read to your kid ffs

He’s 4 and it’s his 2nd week of school… ever.

It’s not like he’s in 6th grade or 10th grade and they can just jump right in and build on what the kid learned last year.

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Start doing it at home with flash cards

Ok is this a preschool, montessori maybe? Or a preschool room in a child care center? Alot of people have this academic expectation on their children that just isn’t developmentally appropriate for their age…as children of this age r capable of learning those things, it’s much more important to develop their social emotional skills, mastering their cognitive and physical abilities, focusing on language development, toilet training, ect.alot of children have never been in a setting like that before and it takes months to have them adjust appropriately to the point where they have developed relationships with their educators and the people they come in contact each day and are actively learning new things each day in regards to anything academic…and they learn best through play, we know this in this field, play is a child’s work and every domain of development can be nourished through play. Relax a bit. He’s 4. He will learn his academics once he goes to actual school.

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Preschool is for socializing. Teach ur child at home if ur worried about it

You need to be working with them at home - especially if you’re that concerned about identifying letters, numbers and writing his name.
Also, learning a brand new routine takes time and has to be repetitive. Some kiddos have never been in a classroom or even daycare. So the first few weeks is slowly introducing them how the classroom works and getting them on a schedule. You’d be surprised what they’re learning by just getting to know a routine, making friends, center time, story time, etc

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The first 2 weeks are usually getting to know one another, the teachers, how to follow rules etc. Give it time and by the end of preschool your child will be ready for kindergarten.

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Preschool is for learning how to be a respectful human with other humans. It’s about learning to navigate friendships and difficult situations. It’s about following directions and being a good listener. These skills will help them be successful when they do start to learn curriculum.

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They’ve only been there for two weeks two weeks. He’s just trying to figure out the classroom and what the rules are there is it coming on here that they will not learn anything in preschool and that is a lie if it is a good preschool, he will learn a lot.

It’s been two weeks Karen

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It’s only his second week BUT I taught my girls alot and actually they never went to preschool. Preschool imo is to get them ready for kindergarten and be there for the whole day.

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Our daughter goes to both headstart and pre k. They send us a weekly agenda about what their weekly learning is. As some others have said they are basically learning how to behave properly at school and then they will start more with recognition of letters and numbers. Their name. It’s only week 2. And if you are confused about it talk to the teacher. They will be happy to help.

Ummmmm you could teach him. wtf
Also it doesn’t happen in 2 weeks

It takes a lot of repetition and first month is really getting down a routine for them anyway.

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Give the poor kid a chance

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RELAX it’s the second week. Besides 4k is basically getting ready for kindergarten, people skills, their name ect. But when my son started 4k they learned how to write their name, their birthdate, race, basic small math, ABC, basic spelling. And yeah the teacher approached me after two months and said it was a waste of time to send my kid there because he was adding/subtracting triple digit numbers, knew all his colors, could count to 250 without a problem, could spell basic words and words like supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. In 4k, they were teaching him 3rd grade stuff just to keep him occupied. He’s now in 5th grade and every yeAr his teachers tell me he is bored because he is so bright, they are having a hard time keeping him occupied, interested and learning. But basic shapes, counting and spelling is all stuff you should be doing at home a long time ago

Help him at home, you’ll have one on one time with him… set aside time each day for practice on these skills. Early childhood education can easily be taught at home. :two_hearts:

You expect a pre k student to write there name? Are you kidding me

:rofl::rofl: sorry but you’re expecting them to teach the things that you should have been for the last 4 years. If this is his first time in care… he’s been there two weeks! First of all and most importantly your child needs to feel safe, secure and supported. This will be supported through the trusting relationships he will build with his Educators. He needs to primarily feel confident to participate and to interact with others. If not then he will never freely and actively engage in, explore and investigate so therefore won’t learn those things you’re expecting.
Also, how the hell do you expect him to learn all that in two weeks???
I’m an Educator and have been for 15 years and love how parents expect them to be able to do things like identify letters and numbers and write their names… what about all the early skills required to be able to do these things?? Children need to have a strong sense of identity and well-being as well as comfort and security before they can achieve and master these skills. I’d be more concerned about him settling into care and being happy in his new care environment before making assumptions and judgments about a preschool based on your experience in 2 weeks!
I apologise if you take offence to this comment but you’re seeking advice and that’s all I’m doing :v:

Pre school like not grade primary?
Pre school here doesn’t teach you anything but how to listen and socialize.

Give it time. It’s only been 2 weeks!! You’re just having mom anxiety!

You know that you have to also teach him at home right?

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He’s two weeks in he’s still learning classroom etiquette, bathroom etiquette, recess…calm down :sweat_smile:

Then do it yourself. Ur his parent!!

It would help if you did it at home as well . It’s been 2 weeks . Give them time to get into routine .

Girl… it’s been 2 weeks. Give it time. Maybe teach him yourself if you’re so worried.

Coming from a SPED Teacher K-2…PROCEDURES FIRST!!! They have to learn a routine FIRST and you can’t expect him to learn everything in 14 days, REALLY??!! Come on now! Even as adults, it takes time to process things and get acquainted with everyone and the “new rules” of our time away from what was “our normal” life. Give it time. It doesn’t happen overnight!

You will be amazed at the things he will learn in Preschool throughout the school year!!:blue_heart:

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Just teaching them to get along with each other is a big deal in early childhood. Playing is a child’s work. Easel painting and scissor cutting are pre-writing skills getting their fine motor skills ready to even hold a pencil. We have to develop the whole child….

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It’s only the 2nd week, I’m a preschool teacher and most of the kids that started that have never been in daycare before don’t even know how to properly hold a pencil yet to even attempt to write their name. Currently have been trying to get the kids to trace their name after someone writes it down for them so they can trace it and learn how to spell their name. The kids who just started and weren’t in the 3’s classroom before preschool have no idea how to trace anything because they don’t know how to hold the pencil. We can’t get them to learn how to spell/write their name til they know how to hold a pencil when writing. It starts at home also, parents should be helping their kids with things like how to hold a pencil, teaching colors, and shapes also. I can tell you right now every preschool teacher is trying to get all the brand new kids who were not in the 3’s classroom the year before caught up to the kids who were. All the kids who were in the 3’s classroom where I work can hold a pencil, trace their name and know all the colors and shapes, the new ones do not.

Preschool is more about play and expectations. Kinder is where the learning starts on those subjects. We just went through it. But it didn’t stop me from doing it at home.

Don’t worry. Preschool is really for learning social skills and for play. Academics will come.

The first couple weeks are for socializing and for teachers to determine what’s what with each child. Relax, he will learn!
But doing some of this stuff at home is a big must now days.

Well. Teach your children from birth. Sing the ABC’s . Count everything you see with your child . Teach them about nouns,verbs , etc. Teach them to write their names, ABC’s etc. Before they start school. Make it a game, fun. Remember your child will not be the only child in the classroom. Start early. Kids are like sponges. They absorb so much from day one.

Does preschool teach anything? My granddaughter is 19 months old and says alphabet and identifies all letters. Work with him

Are you working with him at home? It takes time.

It’s been two weeks and as adaptable as kids are, it does take them a minute to get used to big change. I’d certainly go get some educational books and activities though and help your child along.

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At 4 he should have learned a little bit of this stuff AT HOME.
It’s the second week for Gods sake, the first week is for adjustment at the classroom, learning the rules and getting used to their new routine

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They’ll learn stuff through the year but developmentally it’s better that’s it play based and fun :slight_smile:

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Teach him at home as well. He is 4…it’s only the 2nd week, relax. In all honesty though, you should also work with him at home. MANY kids already know their shapes, chores, letters, numbers walking into pre school, because their parents work with them as well. In order foe your child to be successful, you can’t just rely on the teachers, you need to be involved in your child’s education

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Play is an integral part of learning. Through play they are learning self control, emotional regulation vocabulary, and literacy. Through peer play they are learning independence and social cues.
When playing with other kids they are learning how to negotiate, speak up for themselves, and resolve conflicts.
Pre k is more about leaning the routine of school and how to follow directions. So that they are more developmentally ready for more structure.
The ABC’s and 123’s will come don’t worry. :blush:

It’s his 2nd week! Learning doesn’t happen over night and not all learning takes place at school! YOU are also responsible for helping him learn letters numbers and writing his name!!!

Preschool is to help them learn to socialize and learn to work with others as a group. It’s early and they will learn as the year progresses.

Give it time. Work with your child at home everyday.

My daughter just became a preschool teacher. She was shocked to learn there is NO learning criteria for the preschool teachers to follow. & Her preschool is run just like the regular schools, same hours, same days, run by our county school system.

When she took over for a departing teacher there was NO learning plans on the schedule, just play activities.

My daughter took it upon herself to create lesson plans which cover 2 letters, 1 number, 1 color & 1 shape per week & her class (3-4 y/o) is really doing well with it.

But no, its really up to the parents to ready their child for kindergarten. Which is insane because they expect quite a bit in Kindergarten now. :pensive:

It takes more than two weeks… they’re learning the new environment. The new people, the new routine etc. he’s learning more than you think. But if you’re that worried you could always buy some workbooks from Walmart and help him yourself at home.

Those things gs start at home

It’s the parents job to prepare them for school. I started teaching my kids very very young by numbers and letters and words. Mine knew their phone numbers and addresses by three. We sat every day from about a year old and used a chalk board and practiced alphabets and numbers and spelling their names. It starts at home.

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It’s your job as a parent to start the process of learning. Counting. Alphabet. Colors. Name. What do you do to help?

these are things that should be taught at home. then reestablished and continued at pre school.

He’s in preschool for goodness sake. Children’s play is their work. Also when children start preschool, they must learn how “to do school”. I’m sure that eventually numbers and letters will be there. However, if a child is not ready, it’s not going to happen. When he is ready, barring some kind of learning disability, he will absorb like a sponge. There is always the option of working with him at home.

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Just give it more time. Being around other kids learning will help. It’s just an adjustment for them and new routine, but I’m sure they will start picking it up really quickly once they are more adjusted and comfortable. Don’t stress it. If by chance they still aren’t after a few months then talk to their teacher.

Some preschools don’t teach reading or writing. Or it’s an option. Mine seemed to spend the entire time in the dress up corner then pretending to be in an office or kitchen. Preschool is about life skills and social skills. I’d recommend Sesame Street for learning the basics. You can also teach shape, numbers and reading by labelling things at home. Or pointing out stuff when your grocery shopping. Go to the market and look at fruit and veg. Buy stuff you haven’t tried before. Use recipes to teach measuring and numbers.

Most daycares incorporate preschool

Way back when I was in school there was no preschool & kindergarten was half days. I turned out pretty ok & kinda smart. Try not to obsess (maybe not the right word here) & enjoy the little years

A lot of other moms and preschoolers workers have said it. Fundamentally, he’s learning things you don’t see. Social interactions, taking turns, how to follow directions, getting use to classroom etiquette. It’s week two love, they aren’t teaching quadratic equations and statistics. For a lot of kids in preschool, it’s the first time they’ve been away from their primary care giver and a lot of what they are learning is how to develop the proper tools and routine. The numbers, colors, shapes, words will all come, but in proper order.

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Ask them about it and you can teach him ar home. I made it fun. We went outside n did letters n numbers in chalk.

I guess I don’t understand? First it has only been 2 weeks and he’s FOUR! Second, are you not capable of teaching him those basic skills? He should already have been learning this at home, and continue to do so in the evenings. There are so many tools available for learning at home as well as at school. Third, preschool is acclimating to routine and being away from mom and dad, and socializing. Everything comes in good time just don’t rely solely on the school to do what you should be doing at home as well.

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It’s step by step, but you can teach him at home too, so he be ahead when that step is coming

… my babies all learned those basics from me before preschool! take some time to work with your kid yourself at home. stop the worry about it too, create fun things to do to teach your kid the basics. if learning isn’t fun for them, they won’t do it. put more sesame street and Daniel tiger on here and there.
read books to your kid. pinterest is full of fun learning ideas that keeps kids engaged.
plus, it’s only been 2 weeks of school. what are you expecting the teachers to do in that time? especially if you haven’t done the work yourself with your kid at hone before now. but it’s not too late start creating fun learning tools, reading etc and don’t stress about it. kids know and sense that and it will ruin any fun then won’t enjoy the learning aspect your aiming for with whatever project you do.
s6ay consistent, do something daily from 15mins - a few hrs depending upon the child’s engagement.
scavenger hunts outside can take awhile and be a lot of fun plus filled with so much learning opportunity.

Gd it’s 2wks in they are still trying to get to know each other and find a gd routine. Why are you not teaching this at home? Why do a lot of parents under 30 expect the schools to teach their children literally everything when you as a parent should of been getting your child ready for school

I taught my daughter her numbers, letters, colors, shapes and alphabet all at home. At preschool, they practice coloring inside the lines, practicing drawing lines and shapes, and they are currently tracing the letters in their names.
I think the main goal of preschool is learning how to be social and follow directions in a school setting. It prepares them for the actual learning later in kindergarten, 1st grade, etc.

If he is just starting preschool at 4 and didn’t already know some of the basics. The teacher will need to spend some one on one time with him to catch him up. Most kids that have been in preschool will all ready know their letters, colors, shapes and numbers. Just express your concerns with the teacher so she understands he will need alittle extra help to catch up.

It takes longer than 2 weeks for them to learn. Just stay consistent with their attendance. You will be surprised by the end of the year.

Are you serious? The first month is building routine, learning being in a classroom etc

Don’t stress, the first few weeks they they will be busy teaching them classroom etiquette. Since not all kids do headstart they don’t know how to act at first.

If your kid is already 4 he should be able to count and write his name already, that’s your job as a mother to teach him

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As far as I know they learn through play. Learning colours letters numbers words etc through interactive games drawing and painting. Activities in and out of the classroom learning about nature space sharing and caring for each other. Using a pencil for drawing helps thier hand eye Co ordination etc. Playing outside with thier friends encourages thier imagination. I wouldn’t worry too much. For someone who was in childcare for years thier all learn in thier own time. Supported by thier parents childcare teachers etc and family members. Singing and dancing and arts and crafts also help them too.

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I would guess that it’s to early to tell

Color’s shapes letter recognition is something that you should have been also working on at home all this time. This is week two.

It is just the beginning! The teachers are learning each kid and how they learn! The kids are learning what to do and not do in the classroom! It isn’t just a snap of the finger and they know something! Their little minds are growing and can’t even hold knowledge that quick! You need to be patient and helping your child as well.
I have one in preschool as well, this week they are talking about colors and they are teaching them how to recognize the colors. At home I am teaching him the letters of the colors. You as a parent are a teacher too! It takes a village to teach a child, not just the school system!

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Two weeks?? Give the school a break! Your child has to adjust to a new environment, new people, new routine plus putting information in their little brains! Why didn’t you start teaching the basics before tossing him out into a different world? Learning is a slow process.

A lot of children at 4 already know these things tbh. The first few weeks at nursery they are just settling in, getting to learn how to line up, routine etc. As a parent we should be teaching our children the basics along with nursery. Use flash cards for phonics and numbers, take time to make a mark on paper so they learn to hold a pen. Get them to copy their name etc, count cars, toys, blocks. Get them to count cars and trees when you’re out. Point out colours of cars etc so they recognise colours. Schools like to teach children numbers up to 10 or 20 by the end of their first year so try and help them count up to those numbers. By the end of the school year you’ll see a change in your child and they will know quite a bit but they should also be learning through play at home too

It’s preschool. And it’s the 2nd week. Give your FOUR YEAR OLD time to actually settle in.

You have to understand pre school isn’t about learning everything it’s about building structure, friendships, rules the learning starts in the second semester after the kids get into routines. My son’s 4 and went to preschool knowing his colors, letters, numbers and how to spell and write his name. He’s teachers very impressed with him bc he loves learning. They do some learning but it’s not all at once be patient your son is 4 and preschool will get him ready in time

It’s only been 2 weeks …of school EVER. And this is going to sound harsh but since your so quick to say the school isn’t doing enough or teaching your son fast enough in these 2 weeks, you do know youve had 4 yrs to teach letters and numbers and colors and his name. So A- nothing in the post indicates your kid is anything other than right on track B- you need to work on taking personal accountability,esp for your child’s schooling if your going to hold such high standards for teachers

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He’s learning social skills. Kindergarten will focus more on letters and number recognition,

My kids knew that stuff before preschool :woman_shrugging:

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Teach them yourself. That’s how I learned. Had to know my numbers, tie my shoes, colors and how to print my name before I went to school .

You should have been teaching him these things it’s up to the school to teach him everything most of this should have come from home

To me I think most of this is stuff he shoulda learned at home being that he’s 4. Also it’s week 2, give the teachers 5 minutes to get back into the swing of things with 20 4 year olds.

You should be teaching him yourself. Let him enjoy preschool and learn to socialize. Jeez, it’s only been 2 weeks. Ease up!

It’s been less than two weeks; settle down.

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Oh… not even probability or taxes? That’s strange

At 4 my daughter already knew that stuff lol they’re learning how to be at school for the first 2/3 weeks.

Young one, relax. Your child can not learn in an unfamiliar environment- and all the proper boundaries and behavior that come with it. Like standing in line, the schedule of activities, their workstation, and so much more. Your child is learning, more than you know. Colors, letters, shapes and numbers will come in time. However, you as a parent can and should re-enforce what your child is learning through activity books and other things.

He’s in preschool and it’s only his 2nd week. Give him time. He’s just learning how to be around other kids at the moment. I promise he will catch up

You have to teach him too. It’s not just on the teachers. My kids could do all that before they started preschool.

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:heart: My started early head start at 2 and then did a year of regular head start and now he’s in preschool. He still struggles with that stuff. Schools been in session for like a month lol. Give it some time but also start teaching him at home as well.