Nursery/pre-school

[sherrardk]

I met with thing 1 and thing 2's reception teacher today to discuss support for thing 2 when they start school in September (he has a severe speech impediment). She was very helpful and reassuring which was good, however, she is very pro-nursery. I have been to see the nursery by the school and my other children all attended nursery, etc because they needed their own space, etc. But with thing 1 and thing 2, they have each other and I was reluctant to send them because of thing 2's lack of speech. The teacher was listing the advantages which mainly seemed to be about the nurseries whipping the children into shape before they started school. My children are the only two starting at the school in September who don't attend any form of nursery (they go to play groups, etc). She wants me to send them to nursery for the next term - what are your thoughts?

[tenrec]

Do what you think is best for the "things"!

[erin-x]

I think it would be very beneficial for them. Not only will it allow them to get to know the children before they start school (i'm assuming most will be going to the same school) but it will build their confidence and self esteem. It will get them used to leaving you as well.

I am a nursery nurse and see every day the joy the kids get out of coming to nursery. It's not about the nursery whipping them into shape, it's more about giving them the chance to work it all out for themselves before they get thrown into the deep end when they start school.

I also think that being around more children their own age will help Thing 2's (I feel bad writing that btw!! lol!) speech. It will bring him out of his shell and the nursery nurse's will give him all of the extra support that he requires.

Please don't feel that i'm being biased! :) I just think that nursery is a lovely place for children to start on their social journey. They'll love it! :D xxx

[tishtash]

nursery is a great place for littlies to be. they have fun and start on the path of learning without realising it! also being in nursery could start the SALT intervention much earlier . Let them go and enjoy the peace !!! but seriously they will love it

[DaisyNonna]

Sher, go with your own instincts. Nursery school is not right for every child. Some need more time develop skills than others as I am sure you know. Speech problems are best addressed by speech therapists rather than putting a child into a strange environment for a couple of months and then switching to a different environment. Although whipping into shape is a metaphor it does not bode well. If they go to play group they are both learning to socialise. Being surrounded by a new, perhaps larger group of unknown children may actually inhibit thing 2 from trying to express him/herself. Best wishes for a successful school career for both children.

[sherrardk]

Erin-x - don't feel bad calling him thing 2, it's just I hate the term twins and don't want to use their real names on here (we don't actually call them thing 1 and thing 2).

Hi all, I'm not anti-nursery, my other children loved it. I am seriously thinking about the advice given by the teacher but I really did get the impression that it would make her life easier if they went to nursery and then the nursery could 'assess' them and pass on information to her (she said something along those lines when she spoke to me on Friday).

(Thing 2 has been receiving speech therapy for over a year yet even his dad can't understand what he is trying to say.)

[erin-x]

I really think you should give it a shot. It's only a few months until they start school anyway so it would just be more about getting them used to a routine other than the one they have at home.

Is his current speech therapy one on one or in a group?

[cathfromsaron]

what can it hurt?

it can only benefit them socially and developmentally surely!

i would go for it!

(and find another nickname for the children)

cath x

[sherrardk]

Hi Erin, its one-to-one. He went to a group twice a week for two hours (only about six or seven times) and it really wasn't suitable for him. It focused on signing (we want him to speak, not rely on signing) and the other children had (very obvious) other needs. The group was probably great for him, but not for D (that's his initial as I know you don't like thing 2). His speech therapist did say he should go to a special school in September but we have decided not to pursue this route for a variety of reasons.

[tenrec]

sc1 and sc2 soon (school child!)

[sherrardk]

Hi Cath, they are boy #1, boy #2, girl and thing 1 & thing 2. As I include them in a lot of my posts, I didn't want to confuse people by having to explain which one I was referring to. (It's not done out of nastiness, just couldn't think of a better system - they are obviously called by their names in real life.)

[erin-x]

In that case, I think that D will definitely benefit from being with more children his own age. The children at the nursery will have different abilities of speech and the excellent thing is is that children have no prejudices so he will never be made to feel different. It may be that he will start to imitate the other children's spoken language and body language to enable him to be part of the group. He may even find other ways to communicate by copying the other kids! :)

[cathfromsaron]

apologies, i say daughter mark 1 and 2 for mine!

cath x

[sherrardk]

No probs Cath, it's difficult when you've got so many children (took us ages to choose their actual names).

[ladyalex]

Go with your instincts, sherrardk.

Just a thought though...they are your babies so are you sure the not wanting them to go to nursery thing is for them or for you ? I'm not saying that's in any way wrong either, just wanted to raise the subject.
If you did send them to nursery, is it all or nothing ? I mean , can you change your mind if it's not working out too well?
I'm sure whatever you choose for your lovely twins, all will be well in the end.

[anneasquith]

id give the nursery a go................. they may enjoy the company of the other children.

[sherrardk]

We have an appointment to go and see the nursery on Friday afternoon, I think a lot of it is me not wanting to let go of my babies, :(

[ummmm]

Time for another baby :-)

[anneasquith]

yes sher, i think its time to cut the cord :) :)

[hippyhoppy]

Sherr - I think (and tell me to bog off if you wish) that a term in pre-school before reception will do wonders for both 'things'... allow me to ramble for a sec.. we had a child, when I worked at the nursery, who was Chinese and didn't speak a word of English.. he made himself perfectly well understood so perhaps it will be the same for thing 2... just a musing from a batty old biddy... ;-) xx

[mummy2three]

You as a mum know what is best for children and if you believe you can make more of a difference at home then go for it :) There are many mother and toddler groups which u can attend together and even playing with friends children can help speech. I find each child is definately different :) My daughter isn't at nursery yet she still amazes me with how well shes coming along so it matters none if they're at nursery or not. Follow your heart as only u know what makes your child happy :) x