Starting PK in School setting at age 3 vs age 3.5

[Guest guest]

Hi-

I am wondering if all of you started your children in PK- (with mix of " typical

kids " and children with delays) in PK right when they turned age 3.... or did

you wait a bit longer?

My Son will be turning age 3 soon- and we have the option to enroll him in a PK

setting.... we also could opt for in home Services. I have been getting ready to

try to convince the School that my child needs 1:1 ST in this School

environment, rather than Group ST.... I am now wondering if my child is even

READY to be away from home for 2.5 hours a day, 4 days per week.

My " typical " daughter (age 5) does not go to PK 4 days per week- and she is very

social and advanced. My Son is the opposite..... he is a very sweet boy..... but

he is shy around strangers. He has had no opportunities to join any fun class

for kids, because his therapy schedule always seemed to conflict with class

times in my area. He can understand everything that is said to him, but at

best, he can only produce 2 word sentences.... usually started with " MO " (more)

...... He will say " Mo Mo Mo " (more Elmo), " Mo AHH DOH " (more hot dog), etc.

I am starting to feel so scared for him..... I am hearing that the School will

only offer Group therapy... and I am ready to insist on 1:1 ST..... but at the

same time, I am wondering if I am doing what is right for my child.

I feel like we are in a very frustrating place..... there are no " Private

Schools " in my area that would be able to address his Speech needs, if we put

him in the School System now, he may regress, or become terrified, if we keep

him at home, he will not get the Socialization with peers and exposure to

School. When EI stops at age 3, his schedule will be more open- and we will have

a greater opportunity to find a " fun children's class for him to go to " ..... if

he is in School 4 days per week- this will be hard to do- unless we find an

evening class- these are rare. (School times are 12 to 2:30)..

My child was terrified when we took him to see Sesame Street Live.... he clung

to my legs when he saw all of the other people as we all waited to get to our

seats. It took him over 45 minutes to even LOOK at a Mall Santa this past Xmas.

I am so scared that he will " feel abandoned " if I leave him at a School for 2.5

hours per day, 4 days per week. Could doing this to him ruin his happy little

personality?

So- what to do? Do I wait until the fall to start School..... or do I do it

now..... right after he turns 3. I initially thought that part of my anxiety may

be related to my feelings that I will have to fight to get 1:1 ST in the School

setting..... but now, I am wondering if I am " fighting for the right

thing " ...... If my child is not emotionally ready to start School- would I be

doing him harm by placing him in a School setting?

I'm a mess over this..... he is my baby..... I want to help him...... and I am

so scared. Did any of you feel like this? If any of you started PK right when

your child turned age 3..... please let me know how they did.

Thanks-