I have such a major dilemma and it's been going on for months now. I just don't know what to do. Before we moved to Italy, DS attended preschool 2 mornings a week and really enjoyed it. He did not attend preschool here but I need to register him for the fall (school starts in Sept.). Italian "preschool" is full days (9-3) everyday M-F. I really don't want DS in school that much at 4yrs old. I feel he should be spending more time with me and with his sister as they will never have this sort of bonding time again and they really do enjoy being together.The only "Italian" school I will consider putting him in a private school that is approved by the Italian gov't but is also an international school. Language of instruction is Italian with the option of one hour of English a day. (If needed I don't mind supplementing his English at home.) The school has a good mix of Italians and other children from about 8+ countries. This school is considered to be a good school and I have friends with children that attend there, including our next door neighbour's daughter who will be in the same class as DS. DS will be in the Kindergarten class (4yr old - they call the 5 yr old post kindergarten) The only other school I've found that I will consider is three days a week (9-2:30). It is almost exclusively American with all American staff. The only exposure to Italian or Italian culture is maximum 30-45 min a day of singing Italian songs. I have not yet visited this school but have heard it is a good school if you want an "American" education. I do not directly know anyone that has attended this school. We aren't sure how long we're staying in Italy. If we knew we were leaving at Christmas I would go with the American school as Italian culture is not as important. If I knew we were going to stay until next summer (or longer) I'd go with the Italian Itn'l school as then the Italian exposure is much more important. I really need to make up my mind and I can't. What would you do?
What would you do? (Please help!)
(6 posts)-
Posted 4 months ago #
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If it were me, I'd keep him home. He's only 4. There is more then enough time for him to go to school, but only a finite amount of time for him to spend with you and Vicka - if it were just 2-3 hours a few days a week I'd say send him, but for full days I think its too much at his age. The american school sounds like a better schedule, although he wouldn't be getting the cultural exposure you want him to have.
I say keep him home and take him on field trips - let him experience Italy with you and Vicka. When you return to the states then put him in school. I think that pre-school is over-rated frankly, and unless you had to put him in so you could work, i don't think its that much of a benefit.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Marci I really like your idea and I've given it serious consideration. My challenge with that is the lack of socialization. He really needs to make more friends. I've seen a decline in his social skills (sharing, functioning groups etc) since we've been here. I've hooked up with some other moms (US military wives) and there are children his age but they are all girls and all going to school (except one). I'm not sure how much that matters in the long run?? Maybe I need to revisit this idea.
Posted 4 months ago # -
Is there some kind of sports program you can sign him up for so that he can play with other boys his age?
Posted 4 months ago # -
Unfortunately we can't get a pass to the US NAval Support Site for these things so there is nothing that is in English. He has to have at least a little Italian - and even then I'm not sure what is available. I finally found a gym and then found out that the gymnastics program is very "old school" and an acquaintance's daughters actually saw other gymnasts get hit and 8 year olds being put on strict diets! Argh! They really don't have sports leagues the same way here as they do back in the US (especially in southern Italy). I'm thinking I could probably find tennis or horseback riding but they're not exactly what I'd call "social."
Posted 4 months ago # -
Well, I can certainly see your dilemma! I will put a plug in for the language/international school. I majored in a foreign language in college (Japanese) and having that skill is fun, valuable, and marketable. Even if he forgets it shortly after returning to the states, that kind of educational opportunity is incredible - it would come back to him so fast if he took it up again later. I think it's good for one's character to truly experience another language/culture - especially for us Americans. It's just good for us to see that our thought processes aren't the only ones. Maybe he'll grow up and be an ambassador!
Perhaps there is a way that you can volunteer at the school so that you will continue to have time with him? I just don't know. These kind of early childhood choices are so hard, because you can't see the future and know what will benefit them the most in the long run. I started kindergarten (here) when I was 4 because of my late b-day, and I loved that. I was always mature for my age, and I loved being the youngest all the time. If you did choose a particular school, and it didn't look like it was working out, are you able to switch later?
Posted 4 months ago #
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