Okay, the school my children will attend is piloting an extended day kindergarten. The hours are from 8:15 to 2:05. I've been against it, I don't feel that developmentally 4, 5 and 6 year olds are ready to be in school all day long. Then my sister pointed out that her dd was in a 5-hour kinder, and, my kids are at daycare for about 8 hours/day, so I'm starting to wonder why I'm making a great big noisy fuss? I guess it's because even though at this moment the school insists that it'll only do "fun stuff" like Arts & Crafts, whatever, in the afternoon, I can't imagine that it'll be long before it's all about writer's workshop and reader's workshop and other academic things on par with California's academic standards...so, what do you all think about it, and what are your experiences with it? I should say I work in the school system, but none of the schools I'm stationed at have extended day, so I still only know a 3.5 hour kindergarten day.
Extended day Kindergarten?
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My dd last year was in an all day kindergarten from 8-3. At first i was totally against it. i went to the orientation at her school and listened to the principal explain why this was a good choice. The reasons I came to believe it was a good choice was because her daily transitions from one activity to another were smoother. There was no rushing to get thru a project, if a child needed more time to work on something they were able to have that time. The stuff that the schools want the kids to learn in K are so much more then when i was in school. I liked the idea of her having more school time to learn these things. Also she got art, music, gym and media center in her school week. She got to go outside for recess at least 2x's a day. She got more play and unwind time also. In her school the day was geared that in the first half of the day was the ceneters and the academic learning but the afternoon was the art projects and play time. Also going into first grade this year was such an easier transition then it was for alot of her firends who were in half day K. I also think it depends on the child, my dd was ready for school at 4 and the all day school fit into her, she needed the extra transition time the all day program allowed her. Also her school was the only one in our district to offer all day so her school got the first try at new programs like this great Motor Mom program they started to work with motor skills and reading. It was a great program and the kids did not even know they were working their brain, they thought it was extra play time
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Those are just my few thoughts on it
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I hope your year goes well.
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In our school, k-garten starts half day, then graduates to full day on Oct 20. My son completed this three years ago, and now my daughter is in, about to make the jump to full day in two weeks. I strongly opposed full day k-garten before my son started school, on the grounds that children are not developmentally ready, and are being asked to do too much in school at that age. For example, art, music, phys. ed. and computer are nice, but IMO are not essential components to the extent that children need to change rooms and teachers for them (these subjects could easily be integrated into the room based regular curriculum). Teachers argue that 5 yr olds need to know more, earlier, and I would argue that our whole educational system is 'pushing down' on our kids younger and younger to know more and more. Also, one of our school's biggest reasons for wanting to offer full day was because of so many working parents, high day care costs, parents not being able to pick kids up half day, etc. IMO, cultural factors should not be a primary dictator of what we do to our children in the name of "education."
That said, when push came to shove, I decided to let my kids try it, because we don't really have other options around here. My son did fine until Oct 20. After full day, he was extremely tired and irritable until Christmas. He eventually did adjust, but it was rough going. And that's my point. If kids have to work so hard to adjust to something, to me (as a child clinician) that means they're not developmentally ready for it. We just worked hard on keeping things quiet and nurturing at home while he was adjusting. My daughter is already very tired when she gets home from half day (8-12:30). I am not sure how she is going to react to full day, though she does want to do it.
I also get to observe dozens of Head Start kids each year and their adjustment to full day k-garten, through my job. It is tough going for so many of them to get used to full day, even when they were very used to a long Head Start program. There are many new demands that come with k-garten, that IMO are much greater than most preschool programs would prepare children for.
So, anyway, those are my thoughts, from a personal, professional and cultural perspective!
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That said, when push came to shove, I decided to let my kids try it, because we don't really have other options around here. My son did fine until Oct 20. After full day, he was extremely tired and irritable until Christmas. He eventually did adjust, but it was rough going. And that's my point. If kids have to work so hard to adjust to something, to me (as a child clinician) that means they're not developmentally ready for it. We just worked hard on keeping things quiet and nurturing at home while he was adjusting. My daughter is already very tired when she gets home from half day (8-12:30). I am not sure how she is going to react to full day, though she does want to do it.
I also get to observe dozens of Head Start kids each year and their adjustment to full day k-garten, through my job. It is tough going for so many of them to get used to full day, even when they were very used to a long Head Start program. There are many new demands that come with k-garten, that IMO are much greater than most preschool programs would prepare children for.
So, anyway, those are my thoughts, from a personal, professional and cultural perspective!
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I didn't vote, because I just don't know how I feel about it. DD just started pre-k, and it's full days. It was a slow start, she went one day, the next week two days, the week after 3 days, and so forth, last week was her first full week.
Where I live, in Ontario, they have finally cut grade 13...but low and behold, all of a sudden pre-k is full days...trying to make up for some lost money me thinks....
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I did not want to send dd, she is only 4 and it's not mandatory or anything at this level. But she REALLY wanted to try. So, here we are trying. She is really tired, but will not hear of not going. So, we compromise, she doesn't go on Fridays. Four days a week.
Mamasoleil/samson
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Where I live, in Ontario, they have finally cut grade 13...but low and behold, all of a sudden pre-k is full days...trying to make up for some lost money me thinks....
I did not want to send dd, she is only 4 and it's not mandatory or anything at this level. But she REALLY wanted to try. So, here we are trying. She is really tired, but will not hear of not going. So, we compromise, she doesn't go on Fridays. Four days a week.
Mamasoleil/samson
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I voted for it, but my experience is as a teacher- not a parent. I teach First, but have also done full day kinder. My current school has 1/2 day only. Right now where I live, there is a major push for academics in Kindergarten, all Kindergarten teachers have to teach one hour of reading and one hour of math. In a 2 1/2 hour program this leaves time for little else (especially considering these children go to specialists- music, pe, library) each day.
As a result, our Kindergarteners receive little/no social & emotional support and limited intellectual support (hardly any science or critical thinking opportunities). Art? Nursery Rhymes and Finger plays? Dramatic Play? Sha right!
In the full day Kindergarten programs, teachers are held to the same academic standards- 60 min each of math and reading. But, in addition to the academics, students receive all of the learning experiences mentioned above that 1/2 day programs omit.
Sadly, many of my first graders come to my room without any love for learning at school. They are already burnt out!
Good luck with your decision!
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You are the one who knows what will be the best fit for your child.
As a result, our Kindergarteners receive little/no social & emotional support and limited intellectual support (hardly any science or critical thinking opportunities). Art? Nursery Rhymes and Finger plays? Dramatic Play? Sha right!
In the full day Kindergarten programs, teachers are held to the same academic standards- 60 min each of math and reading. But, in addition to the academics, students receive all of the learning experiences mentioned above that 1/2 day programs omit.
Sadly, many of my first graders come to my room without any love for learning at school. They are already burnt out!
Good luck with your decision!
We must be in the same state (or in Title I schools :LOL), but I agree with Lauren, I find them developmentally inappropriate. While I empathize with teachers and the rigors placed on them, it doesn't mean that I agree with the state, kwim? And I agree that such a long day for a 4, 5, 6 year old is not developmentally appropriate without a significant rest period. Keep the comments coming though, and vote vote vote!
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edited because I realized it sounded very smart-alecky and I didn't intend that at all!
edited because I realized it sounded very smart-alecky and I didn't intend that at all!
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Darn-it! I didn't get to see your post before you edited for smart-alecky-ness! :LOL Also, sorry if my post before sounded like whining about the expectations placed upon me- totally not what I intended
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.... I was actually trying to defend the position of students who are subjected to a school system that has innappropriate expecations of them. However, I totally understand your position. BTW, most of my students are tired by lunch time until Dec/Jan.
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Where I grew up, it's the norm, and the kids are fine. I would much prefer it to the 2.5 hours a day they do here. Though some schools do all day (9 - 3:30) alternate days with alternate Fridays.
I didn't vote because I'm not sure that the difference between full-day and half-day is as significant as some other factors:
I really think it depends a lot on what the children are doing while they are in the kindergarten. My ds is in half-day 5-times-a-week kindergarten/Grade 1 split class now and the entire time is spent in highly structured activities. They have no unstructured time at all, and when he is finished, he is tired. He has daily reading homework as well. At his school there is a full-day, alternate day junior/senior kindergarten programme, but the teacher in that classroom is very adamant that she feels that it is not good for the children and that they are too tired after lunch for very much academic activity. She really believes that the time spent after lunch is baby-sitting, but she is not supposed to allow the children to nap. (Of course, she does anyway.)
When I went to full-day, every-other-day kindergarten, the days were longer, but we had a rest period every afternoon, and we spent most of our time in very unstructured activities. We were not expected to do any reading, and children who learned to write their own names were treated like child prodigies!
Another consideration is the amount of supervision the children receive and the quality of that supervision. Ds's teacher this year just changed from Grade 4 and she is finding it hard to slow down to the level of 5 year olds, so her expectations are not always reasonable. She has no assistant, either, unless a parent volunteer is in the classroom. At the full-day alternate-day kindergarten with a full-time teacher, a student teacher, and a crew of parent volunteers.
I really think it depends a lot on what the children are doing while they are in the kindergarten. My ds is in half-day 5-times-a-week kindergarten/Grade 1 split class now and the entire time is spent in highly structured activities. They have no unstructured time at all, and when he is finished, he is tired. He has daily reading homework as well. At his school there is a full-day, alternate day junior/senior kindergarten programme, but the teacher in that classroom is very adamant that she feels that it is not good for the children and that they are too tired after lunch for very much academic activity. She really believes that the time spent after lunch is baby-sitting, but she is not supposed to allow the children to nap. (Of course, she does anyway.)
When I went to full-day, every-other-day kindergarten, the days were longer, but we had a rest period every afternoon, and we spent most of our time in very unstructured activities. We were not expected to do any reading, and children who learned to write their own names were treated like child prodigies!
Another consideration is the amount of supervision the children receive and the quality of that supervision. Ds's teacher this year just changed from Grade 4 and she is finding it hard to slow down to the level of 5 year olds, so her expectations are not always reasonable. She has no assistant, either, unless a parent volunteer is in the classroom. At the full-day alternate-day kindergarten with a full-time teacher, a student teacher, and a crew of parent volunteers.
Daycare may have some academics during the day but it is not its main focus also it usually has a nap time. In my experience with the schools in Seattle, there is no naptime or quiet time in all day kindergarten. It may be lower key in the afternoon but it is still draining for the kids. My child attends a Waldorf school Kindergarten with napcare starting at 1 PM. She is so tired after Kindergarten from 9 - 1 that she always naps during quiet time from 1:30 to 2:30. Waldorf is not an academic Kindergarten so I can only imagine how tired a child is after a full day of academic Kindergarten. My child takes swimming and gymnastics in the evenings after her nap and I see how tired the other 5 year olds from all day Kindergarten are by that point in the day. In my opinion, all day Kindergarten is too much for many children. There are always exceptions.
My kids go/went to all-day kindergarten (9-3). My mom was really worried about them, b/c I went to 1/2 day kindergarten and was completely zonked when I got home every day! Since my kids were still taking 2-3 hour naps the summer before they went to kindergarten, I admit I was a bit concerned, too. My two oldest were still 4 when they started, and my third was barely 5.
As soon as my oldest started school, I became a parent volunteer in the classroom. I observed that the bulk of academic work was accomplished from 9-11. Then the kids had lunch and their "special" (art, phys ed, music), then a 20 min. rest period lying down in a carpeted area. (All the kindergarteners in our school are encouraged to keep a blanket or lovie at school for rest time.) The teacher might read a quiet story during this time. For the first few months, almost every kid fell asleep immediately at rest time. When they got up, they had a small snack, and then worked at a creative activity. Then some "free play", and it was time to go home. Rest time was slowly phased out during the second half of the year as the kids adjusted to the schedule; and was replaced by library, journalling time, and other activities.
Once I was able to see how it worked, I didn't worry as much. The kids were fairly tired when they came home, but not utterly exhausted. They learned a great deal that first year, and enjoyed their kindergarten experiences immensely.
As soon as my oldest started school, I became a parent volunteer in the classroom. I observed that the bulk of academic work was accomplished from 9-11. Then the kids had lunch and their "special" (art, phys ed, music), then a 20 min. rest period lying down in a carpeted area. (All the kindergarteners in our school are encouraged to keep a blanket or lovie at school for rest time.) The teacher might read a quiet story during this time. For the first few months, almost every kid fell asleep immediately at rest time. When they got up, they had a small snack, and then worked at a creative activity. Then some "free play", and it was time to go home. Rest time was slowly phased out during the second half of the year as the kids adjusted to the schedule; and was replaced by library, journalling time, and other activities.
Once I was able to see how it worked, I didn't worry as much. The kids were fairly tired when they came home, but not utterly exhausted. They learned a great deal that first year, and enjoyed their kindergarten experiences immensely.
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The school that my dd attended had full day JK and SK. I was quite nervous about this at first. My newly turned 4 year old at school all day? well, like a previous poster mentioned the first month of school had a very staggered start: 1 day the first week, 2 half days, the next, etc. etc. gradually working the way up to a full day of school.
In JK it was Mon. Wed. and every other Friday. In SK it was Mon. Wed., and every Friday. My dd adjusted to the program very well and had no problems. As far as I saw, most of the children were fine.
I believe it helped her make the transition into Grade 1 which was all day everyday. Some kids who have never been to full day school tend to get a rude awakening when the realize they don't get to go home at lunch. At least that was my experience in Grade 1
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ETA: What I also liked about the full day, every other day program was that it was very convenient for me( how selfish, huh?). I didn't have to be taking dd to school and running back out to go get her 2 hours later and she had days off to just do whatever she pleased. I was pg in both her JK and SK years so having those every other day breaks was a god-send.
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In JK it was Mon. Wed. and every other Friday. In SK it was Mon. Wed., and every Friday. My dd adjusted to the program very well and had no problems. As far as I saw, most of the children were fine.
I believe it helped her make the transition into Grade 1 which was all day everyday. Some kids who have never been to full day school tend to get a rude awakening when the realize they don't get to go home at lunch. At least that was my experience in Grade 1
ETA: What I also liked about the full day, every other day program was that it was very convenient for me( how selfish, huh?). I didn't have to be taking dd to school and running back out to go get her 2 hours later and she had days off to just do whatever she pleased. I was pg in both her JK and SK years so having those every other day breaks was a god-send.
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