All day kindergarten?

[raeoflyte]

Full day is relatively new here and the districts seem to have about half schools off full day and the rest still do half day.  I can definitely see it for daycare purposes, and may end up using full time K for just that reason.  I just don't think there is an academic benefit to full day over half day based on my very limited experience.  

I'm still trying to figure out when kindergarten became 'academic' though so I'm sure I'm behind the times. 

My 4 1/2 year old SHOULD nap everyday, but preschool 2 days a week managed to wreck that.  

[Deleted]

Our school splits up the nappers and non-nappers (preschool and kindy are all together).  After lunch they go to either the nap room which is set up with rows of cots with blankets and pillows (better than the mats we used to have) or they go to a different room for quiet play/reading.

[zibazinski]

Jan 23, 2014 13:55:46 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Our school splits up the nappers and non-nappers (preschool and kindy are all together).  After lunch they go to either the nap room which is set up with rows of cots with blankets and pillows (better than the mats we used to have) or they go to a different room for quiet play/reading.

What a great idea!

[shelby]

"I'm still trying to figure out when kindergarten became 'academic' though so I'm sure I'm behind the times. "

Our pre school changed curriculum this year because the teacher was saying in recent years it has become more academic so kids need more of a primer than ever before. It used to be singing songs, finger painting and recess, not anymore.

[CarolinaKat]

Jan 22, 2014 22:56:32 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

It has been full day K here forever (DD1 is 23 now), so that is what I'm familiar with.  Pre-K is half day.  Bussing has  been an issue, though, since they eliminated the mid-day busses and won't bus the 3yo kids.  The day they turn 4 they can ride, though.

Naps at school were a bit of a joke - most kids wouldn't nap.

We got candy if we laid still and closed our eyes

[giramomma]

Jan 23, 2014 13:51:22 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Full day is relatively new here and the districts seem to have about half schools off full day and the rest still do half day.  I can definitely see it for daycare purposes, and may end up using full time K for just that reason.  I just don't think there is an academic benefit to full day over half day based on my very limited experience.  

I'm still trying to figure out when kindergarten became 'academic' though so I'm sure I'm behind the times. 

My 4 1/2 year old SHOULD nap everyday, but preschool 2 days a week managed to wreck that.  

My oldest napped until his first day of kindy. He was five.

I used to think kindy shouldn't be academic But, I've found that it's not as terrible as it sounds. My kids were ready to start reading/writing/doing basic math in kindy. We didn't do anything special. Just did what you were "supposed" to as parents, read to kids, sing songs, and encourage natural curiosity.

The kids that weren't ready for the "academic rigor" were the kids whose parents or other care givers who didn't do what you were "supposed" to do.

[michelyn8]

Jan 23, 2014 14:57:35 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Jan 23, 2014 13:51:22 GMT -5 raeoflyte said:

Full day is relatively new here and the districts seem to have about half schools off full day and the rest still do half day.  I can definitely see it for daycare purposes, and may end up using full time K for just that reason.  I just don't think there is an academic benefit to full day over half day based on my very limited experience.  

I'm still trying to figure out when kindergarten became 'academic' though so I'm sure I'm behind the times. 

My 4 1/2 year old SHOULD nap everyday, but preschool 2 days a week managed to wreck that.  

My oldest napped until his first day of kindy. He was five.

I used to think kindy shouldn't be academic But, I've found that it's not as terrible as it sounds. My kids were ready to start reading/writing/doing basic math in kindy. We didn't do anything special. Just did what you were "supposed" to as parents, read to kids, sing songs, and encourage natural curiosity.

The kids that weren't ready for the "academic rigor" were the kids whose parents or other care givers who didn't do what you were "supposed" to do.

DGD is only a little over 2 and her father has already bought her flashcards with her letters and numbers.  Its more to teach her her colors and he doesn't push them on her.  Actually, she got more use of them "playing spades" with her Dad, his GF, her aunt and aunt's BF. 

We all show her stuff all the time and she loves for me to read to her.  Academics for younger children are only a bore when the teacher makes them that way.

[zibazinski]

The demands put on 1st graders makes K have to prep them for it. My friend changed from  teaching K because kids were crying because of the demands/stress. She couldn't stand it. 

[alabamagal]

Jan 23, 2014 14:13:17 GMT -5 shelby said:

"I'm still trying to figure out when kindergarten became 'academic' though so I'm sure I'm behind the times. "

Our pre school changed curriculum this year because the teacher was saying in recent years it has become more academic so kids need more of a primer than ever before. It used to be singing songs, finger painting and recess, not anymore.

But from all the news stories, the kids are more behind than ever.

Maybe we should bring back the old days of singing songs, finger painting and recess.

[giramomma]

Yeah, my oldest learned regular monopoly at age 4. You think monopoly is just about wasting an afternoon doing nothing. But, it also teachers colors and basic math for a 4 year old. We have a Star Wars monopoly set, and DS wanted to play with that, so we (and our sitter) taught DS how to play.

My youngest won't stack blocks to save her life like she's supposed to. But, she was pretty proud that she stacked like 6 yogurts while DH was unloading the groceries earlier this week.

[giramomma]

Jan 23, 2014 15:32:25 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

The demands put on 1st graders makes K have to prep them for it. My friend changed from  teaching K because kids were crying because of the demands/stress. She couldn't stand it. 

My First grader was doing algebra. He didn't know it though. We go to a rigorous school. The only time my oldest ever got upset is because his fine motor skills weren't up to snuff. (Still aren't).

What are they making first graders do? Figure out a way to obtain world peace?

[Deleted]

Jan 23, 2014 15:33:12 GMT -5 alabamagal said:

Jan 23, 2014 14:13:17 GMT -5 shelby said:

"I'm still trying to figure out when kindergarten became 'academic' though so I'm sure I'm behind the times. "

Our pre school changed curriculum this year because the teacher was saying in recent years it has become more academic so kids need more of a primer than ever before. It used to be singing songs, finger painting and recess, not anymore.

But from all the news stories, the kids are more behind than ever.

Maybe we should bring back the old days of singing songs, finger painting and recess.

Behind the other countries maybe, but man, they have to test to get into Kindy now!  It used to be that they learned their ABC's and counting there, but now they have to know that before they show up or they're not prepared. 

[zibazinski]

Got me. I only had them for PE but I know PE went from being fun and learning different kinds of games, their rules and their skills, to having to test the bejesus out of them as well. We used to be a break from academic stress, now we are just one more hassle in their lives.

[Deleted]

Jan 23, 2014 15:41:07 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Got me. I only had them for PE but I know PE went from being fun and learning different kinds of games, their rules and their skills, to having to test the bejesus out of them as well. We used to be a break from academic stress, now we are just one more hassle in their lives.

Ok, now you've reminded me how pissed off I was last year that my son was kept after school nearly every day for a week because he couldn't do a somersault.  I mean WTH cares?  He is 11 years old and terrified of PE class, especially when the tumbling unit comes up.  The kid has zero flexibility. 

[Deleted]

What schools are you guys talking about?  In most public schools the kids never even learn to read. 

[shelby]

Jan 23, 2014 15:43:54 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Jan 23, 2014 15:41:07 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Got me. I only had them for PE but I know PE went from being fun and learning different kinds of games, their rules and their skills, to having to test the bejesus out of them as well. We used to be a break from academic stress, now we are just one more hassle in their lives.

Ok, now you've reminded me how pissed off I was last year that my son was kept after school nearly every day for a week because he couldn't do a somersault.  I mean WTH cares?  He is 11 years old and terrified of PE class, especially when the tumbling unit comes up.  The kid has zero flexibility. 

lol neither can my oldest I was trying to teach him but he has no coordination whatsoever.

And he is 12

[zibazinski]

Well, our PE was all outside so no somersaults. My curriculum had to be adapted because I had a lot of special needs kids in my classes but we still had to test even the special needs. Oh, yes, even the brittle bones students had to see how many sit-ups they could do.   How about its freaking hard to get them down onto the mat without breaking something and then get to write down that they accomplished none, as in they laid there, and then help them up while praying nothing was damaged. Makes as much sense as giving the DOWNS kids the FCAT. Sigh. I don't miss the BS of teaching, that's for sure, but I do miss the kids.

[Deleted]

There is only one public school district around here that still has 1/2 day kindergarten. They're a "union-free district", so I wonder if it has anything to do with it? 


ETA: and DD hated being upside down until just this past year. I don't know if she can even do a somersault (she's 8). I've watched her attempt cartwheels though.

[zibazinski]

Nope, we were union free and all day K. Two other systems I know are union and half day.

[Deleted]

Huh. I wonder why they're the last hold out...anyway, I guess it goes to show that full day or half day kindergarten doesn't matter in the big scheme of things, since that school district takes the same exams as everyone else and it must not be hurting their scores!  

[NoNamePerson]

Ok, old timer here so bear with me. My son went to all day kindergarten back in 71. Private school and it was typical lessons/play/nap etc.

Fast forward to 1st grade. Note from teacher "need conference" Bottom line she tells me that my son seems bored (this is 3 weeks into school) She gets out books they are using. Well, no wonder son is bored that is what he was using in kindergarten.

Turns out she had several "bored" students and she adjusted their work assignments for them. Smart teacher.

All day has it's advantages and disadvantages. You must know you own child and make decision accordingly IMO  for what it's worth.   

 

[Deleted]

Jan 24, 2014 8:38:23 GMT -5 @beerwench said:

Huh. I wonder why they're the last hold out...anyway, I guess it goes to show that full day or half day kindergarten doesn't matter in the big scheme of things, since that school district takes the same exams as everyone else and it must not be hurting their scores!  

I've watched our school go from half day to full day and the curriculum/schedule hasn't changed AT ALL.  Older son was in the half day program and I paid for afternoon "Children's House" (it's a Montessori), and younger son will be going into the full day program but is currently in Children's House which is with the Kindy, so I know the schedule. They do all lessons and structured work time in the mornings and then it's lunch/nap/quiet time/free play etc.  The only thing that is different between first and second son's experience is the state is covering the afternoon tuition now.