So I guess my soon to be hs'er is never going to adapt to society...

[heket]

An article today in my local paper really irked me:
Wake-up call for kids on having basic skills (http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_6587219)

While I loved hearing about "kindergarten boot camp," ( ) my favorite quote was:

But aside from academics, McElroy said the new programs can help students in other ways.

"A lot of students don't know how to line up," she said, adding that teachers can spend the first month of kindergarten just developing behavior skills.

I didn't realize that civilization would stop because kids can't form a line by age 5. :

[lauracd]

Originally Posted by heket

I didn't realize that civilization would stop because kids can't form a line by age 5. :

Oh but it does. I hear so many mothers give me that as a reason to send their kids to preschool. I do not think they have ever stopped to listen to themselves. :

[4evermom]

I'd have to hold ds back a year because he can't read yet at the ripe old age of almost 6

[AnnR33]

I swear I heard that article spouted to me from my son's K teacher 3 yrs ago. She said everything that article said when I was complaining about pushing reading too early, what happened to FUN things in K like pretend play and art, and just reading aloud (they used a tape recorder to "read" the stories to the class which I HATED).

She even admitted she didn't like it herself, it was just the "way it was now."

That's why I've homeschooled ever since

I find it so sad and frustrating that people don't question the "importance" of lining up, raising your hand, and other "skills" that kids get in school.

[3momkmb]

It may be that I'm premenstral but that article made me want to :Puke

Summer school because you didn't attend preschool?
Kindergarden boot camp!!!

UGH! UGH! UGH!

Ok, I feel better now

[blsilva]

Oh, for crying out loud! They don't know how to sit with their legs crossed??? Has anybody even tried that? Its about the most uncomfortable way to sit for a long period of time. I never have understood the importance of sitting a certain way.

And if the teachers have to spend so much time teaching the "proper" behaviors, maybe there's a reason for that? Like maybe that those behaviors are not natural or right for children???

ITA with 3momkmb- I wanna throw up, and I'm not premenstrual.

[fek&fuzz]

Don't kids naturally learn how to stand in line when they go to the grocery store with you, or wait for the slide, or buy ice cream from the ice cream man, or get on a bus, or do any of the other things that require standing in line? Is it really that hard?

[gargirl]

That is just so sad...

I am so glad I will be homeschooling my kids this year. I don't want to see my youngest ever thinking that learning is some awful, joyless chore. Learning is fun if kids aren't pushed into it!

[funkygranolamama]

Originally Posted by fek&fuzz

Don't kids naturally learn how to stand in line when they go to the grocery store with you, or wait for the slide, or buy ice cream from the ice cream man, or get on a bus, or do any of the other things that require standing in line? Is it really that hard?

RIGHT ON!

[rmzbm]

Can't form a LINE?! Oh, heavens NO! :

[grahamsmom98]

This reminds me of a funny episode we had a few years ago.

Ds was 4 and attending a birthday party of a friend. All the children except ds attended the same pre-schools and daycares.

When the time came to line-up for some game, ds looked perplexed as the Mom announced, "Everyone in a line, shortest to tallest or we're not doing it! Who goes first?"

Ds looked around as the other children frantically pushed and shoved to form a crooked line.

He asked, loud enough for everyone to hear, "Why? Are we lemmings going over a cliff?"

Dh and I cracked-up, along with a few other adults.

He understood the idea of the line (duh, he had been to grocery stores and the bank, etc), but couldn't understand why the children couldn't just stand around and each take a turn without being in line. They couldn't see whatever the first child was doing, they way the Mom had them lined-up.

When we were driving home, he mentioned that he was glad he didn't have to go to pre-school or daycare and stand in lines before anyone could do anything.

[heket]

: :

That's a great story!

[Tera_&_Gibson]

That is one of our major reasons for choosing to homeschool. Where is the fun?

[joandsarah77]

Oh where can I throw up! :Puke ""Now it's not just words, but entire sentences and small paragraphs," Broberg said. And I bet they say it with pride too.

I just feel soo sorry for those poor kidos who are simply not ready to be reading sentences or doing sums by the end of kindergarten. Way to go to make a kid stressed out and feeling like a failure by 6 years of age!

I didn't realize that civilization would stop because kids can't form a line by age 5.

Oh yer vitaly important, didin't you know they keep the world from spinning too fast?

[Arduinna]

At least they make it totally clear, for those with eyes, that the real purpose is to indoctrinate the kids into following their orders. Making good little sheeple they are.

[stormborn]

: Would you believe my homeschooled 5 yo was able to get in line for the equipment at gymnastics class with no prior training? I didn't even have to send her to boot camp.

[mamaofthree]

nak
that is so sad. the continued push at younger and younger ages to excel. to be pushed past what they can really do. and the shame that is sure to follow when they don't measure up.

h

[Baby Makes 4]

That just reinforces my long-held belief that the only purpose for preschool and kindergarten is to crush all the natural curiosity and individuality out of small children so they are ready to "learn" in grade one.

Barf.

[oceanbaby]

When I was in college I took an ECE class, and part of one of the classes was to do volunteer work with young children. I volunteered at a local Kindergarten. During recess, my appointed job was to make sure the kids lined up when the whistle blew, and to make sure they stayed in line until it was time to go inside. It made me crazy. I hated herding these little tiny kids into a line, and continually making sure they stayed there instead of running around in circles. They're 5. They're supposed to run in circles.

And yes, imagine my shock that my 6yo knows when he needs to stand in line for something.

[clavicula]

thanks for sharing, it was fun to read it!: