For the last six months I have been doing so much research even a questionnaire on a local moms group about the benefits of a MDO program. I really wanted my child to attend one because I knew it would be super helpful for him with his social skills, speech development and even prepare him for when its time for him to start school. However, I had to talk my husband into it. He’s one of those that if he doesn’t think it’s necessary or contain any benefits than he wasn’t going to pay for it. So I needed proof that it was. Even after I had proof and even with my son’s speech/behavioral therapists telling him they highly recommend it, it was still no easy task. Well, six months later and I finally won. I just got done registering my son in a CDO program down the street and I am so excited for the fall. I am excited to see him blossom, make friends as well as using that time for some one on one time with my youngest.
If you’re a SAHM there is no shame in doing this if your family can financially afford it. In our area the MDO/CDO programs range from $150 to even $200 a month for a 2 day program. Yes, I have seen some that offer 3 days but those are almost $100 more a month. Some programs you can enroll your child in as young as 6 months but for our family we decided to wait until they are 3 years old. If you continue reading I hope it’ll show why I say this.
From all the research and questionnaires I’ve done I have gathered that there are three main benefits; Socialization, Prepares Them For School and it Gives Mom A Break. At the very end I will have the links to the articles I got most of my information from, of course I can’t share the info from the questionnaires as they were in closed local mom groups and I respect their privacy.
Socialization is very important for growing and developing minds. Why is socialization so important? Through learning how to socialize they learn how to get along with other children, share and how to contribute to ‘circle time’, aka conversation. As most of us know, young children learn through play and socialization. For some children it is hard for them to break out of their shells and open up to other children at the park or any social gathering. However, if you put that same child in a structured setting, like a MDO/CDO program, they end up opening up a lot sooner than what they would at numerous playdates. I am not sure what it is but there is just something about that structured setting. I believe the fact that these programs do a lot of fun, interactive, and learning play into their day that also provides the children many opportunities to socialize with other children. They learn through play and playing is their job. You may discover your child greatly enjoys it and has learned a lot by the end of the day, too!
These programs help Prepares Them For School by being exposed to numbers, letters, and shapes. Children that attended a MDO/CDO program or preschool tend to enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, a wider vocabulary and even stronger basic math skills than those that did not attend a program. From the questionnaire I did I learned that several moms have noticed how different it is when taking kids to their very first day of school. Those that have gone to MDO programs or a preschool adjust so easily as to those that have never been to a school like setting that freaks out. Several moms that have had a child go to a program and a child that didn’t go to a program wish they had put both kids into a program. Kids that have been into a program are more likely to love and enjoy school starting out than those that did not. Kindergarten teachers will even tell you that the beginning of the school year goes a lot smoother if the majority of their new students have been to a MDO/CDO program or preschool program. Those students are the ones who are ready to learn and shows great social skills as well as behavior-management skills.
As a mom, whether you’re a working mom or SAHM, we are constantly working around the clock with our little ones. Cleaning up after them, making sure they aren’t getting into something they’re not suppose to, feed them, change diaper if not potty trained, ask them if they need to pee every 5 minutes if being potty trained, calm them down during meltdowns, feed them, make sure they’re getting along with other siblings, feed them, feed them, oh wait did I mention feed them? My toddlers ask me every 5 minutes for a snack, even if they just had a snack, my kids literally eat more than I do in a day. So this is a great way of Giving Yourself A Break. Kids R Kids said it best on their website “… it’s essential for moms to have the freedom to give themselves a break. Just like taking consistent breaks in the middle of a workday can increase your productivity and energy levels, so can taking a break from watching your kids 24/7. … If you have ever felt overwhelmed, exhausted, or near your breaking point during the day as you handle dozens of requests from little hands and feet, you are the perfect candidate for a Mother’s Day Out program. When you have a chance to be productive sans children or just find some time to kick back and have some “me-time” you will be amazed at the energy and patience you will acquire.’’ I already made a list of things I can do while my oldest is in a MDO/CDO program. For example, my sons program is Tuesdays and Fridays, on Tuesdays I can thoroughly clean the whole house and catch up on laundry without having to worry about him messing things up, getting into things or terrorizing my youngest. On Fridays I can run any errands I have without hearing him screaming in the backseat because he’s been in his carseat longer than he likes. I can also enjoy some one on one time with my youngest that I got to do with my oldest but haven’t had the chance to do with her yet.
I hope this entry will help you understand the benefits as well as help you win the same debate with your husband as I had with mine. Remember ladies, mommin’ is hard and it’s okay to find a break and hey its also beneficial for your child.
