DD is entering Kindergarten (I'm scared)

[Mkrop]

I realize that some kids don't go to preschool...but unless they were kept in a cage with no books, toys or even tv they would be able to count to 10. They didn't mention a nap time...I hope they don't have one...DD would REALLY hate that too. Thanks everyone!

In PA, if they do full day K, they are mandated to make the children lay down for 20 minutes.

I have two boys both very different.

DS10 was reading at 3. I too was worried he would be bored in K, some days I am worried he is bored in 4th. He was a Sept bday so he turned 6 two weeks after school started.

But he has been fine with everything, I always ask his teachers if he is bored, the answer is no. I ask him the answer is no. They allow them to work on homework or other things if he finishes up. Right now I do have some slight concern bc he has mastered some stuff in math and the rest of the class is struggling but the teacher is having them work on other things so I am sure it will all even out again.

Now I just went to DS5's K orientation on Friday and I was a nervous wreck. His preschool teachers tell me that academically he is fine, or above but socially he is still incredibly shy and likes routine. He has been in preshcool for 3 years now. He can not read yet.

I noticed with my older son that kids come in from all different experiences and until the teacher can determine the level of the class, she needs to assume that all are at the lowest level. K is a very hard year bc so many kids are coming from different learning environments. First grade is easier bc they know where the kids are if they are to graduate to the next grade. If they come in and she can progress onto other things then I am sure they will.

 

[Minniemouse07]

In PA, if they do full day K, they are mandated to make the children lay down for 20 minutes.

I don't think that is a state mandate. I went to college for elementary education in PA and taught here as well. We still live in PA and my dd just went through K last year .... I've never heard of this.

In fact, dd's K class started the year "resting" for 20minutes on a mat, sleeping bag or towel and her teacher backed the time down over a few weeks. They totally stopped them before Halloween (and sent home the mats, etc.).

Maybe it is a madate in your school district?

 

[bumbershoot]

The preschool she goes to is a Montesorri school and it goes to 6th grade, but we cannot afford to keep her there and I don't even think it would really be the right thing to do anyway.



It was definately not what they should know first, they even stressed that. As far as the Montesorri thing goes, even if I could afford to keep her there I think it would be better for her in the long run to be in a public school enviroment. There's more diversity, and more opportunity (the Montesorri school is very small). Also, I'm not sure how to say this without insulting someone but the kids in the upper grades all seem sort of strange and not really great socially.

What about keeping her there just one more year?

I went to a Montessori until I started 1st grade, and although when I was little I felt like I was "missing out" on something mystic and amazing, I have later realized that I learned far more in the Montessori class than any of my friends did in the K class I would have been in.

As for the upper grades...it isn't important if they seem strange or odd socially right now. What's important is later on. If your child was a bit strange now, but would grow up to be like Bill Gates, wouldn't you take a few years of strangeness?

My mom couldn't afford Montessori but wanted us to go for the few years we went SO bad that she did anything she could. She even cleaned the school early mornings before leaving us there to go to her work, to help with tuition (helped that she and the owner of the school were good friends, though I also think the extra time she spent at the school helped their friendship begin and grow).

I love Montessori, I think that a GOOD Montessori (continuing with HER traditions, not the splinter group that split off from her after she died...if the school does NOT allow before or after care and they have strict age requirements to start, then that's one of the good ones IMO) school is so much more valuable than any other sort of school. If i weren't planning on homeschooling I'd do anything I could to find (difficult in WA I hear) a good one and send my son...and in fact I plan to set things up in a Montessori way, once we start doing more than the simple Kumon workbooks.


I also know what it's like to be, hmm, a bit more on top of things than most others in the class, and my goodness is it boring! I was reading at 2 (yes 2) and 1st grade while everyone was reading so slowly out loud I nearly ran out of the classroom each day. Then I felt really obvious b/c I could read out loud well (I didn't start reading just to myself, I started reading out loud...which is how my mom knew I was reading so young, LOL) and always felt like I needed to dumb myself down (so as to fit in). At one point skipping a grade was mentioned, but I was already the second youngest in my class, so that just wasn't a good idea.

If you send her to this school, keep on top of things, so that you know if perhaps a different choice needs to be made. We had NO choice of schools, it was solely based on where you lived, and our Montessori school didn't go longer than 1st grade anyway (at that time the schools for older kids were boarding schools and none of us wanted that!) so it didn't really matter in my case, but since you have a choice, stay on top of it!

 

[mommytoone]

My DD was very smart when she enterd K. I was worried that she would be bored and guess what, I was right. She did not act out or anything, but she was way ahead of the class. They were learning to read and she could read at at 3rd grade level. We have a program for gifted kids in our district but they can not go into after K. Maybe you can look into something like that. My DD is in first grade now and is reading at 5th grade level, doing addition and subtraction with no problem and learning some really great stuff. I think that all students should learn with this method of teaching. They really don't learn from books, but from doing, and reading and research. DD is typing on computers, and knows alot about science, history and she is doing fractions now, and again only in first grade. Remember all children learn at diff levels and at each others own pace.

 

[Mkrop]

I don't think that is a state mandate. I went to college for elementary education in PA and taught here as well. We still live in PA and my dd just went through K last year .... I've never heard of this.

In fact, dd's K class started the year "resting" for 20minutes on a mat, sleeping bag or towel and her teacher backed the time down over a few weeks. They totally stopped them before Halloween (and sent home the mats, etc.).

Maybe it is a madate in your school district?

I dont know, this what the prinicpal has in the handbook, that it was state mandated, although it is a Catholic school, and the school district only provides 1/2 day. Around here only the private schools offer full day. And another mom told me her prinicpal said the same thing.

Sorry if I am misinformed, just going by what I was told.

 

[Disneyonmymind]

My older DD is now in grade 6. She entered K having already mastered the "list" and I have to say that she was, and still is, bored by the academics at school. She still likes school but only the social aspect of it. She gets straight As with very little effort. The public school is well respected here but, IMO, not geared toward serving above average students and/or not interested in challenging students with any type of rigorous academics. I have gone to every parent-teacher conference and asked for more challenging work for her but never received it.

I do not believe she is exceptionally bright or highly gifted. She is "above average". My only saving grace with her is she is such a "good girl" that she would not engage in any type of bad behavior to express her boredom or frustration. However, it saddens me that the public school has squandered the academic potential of her elementary school years.

My younger DD is now ready to enter K and I have the same fear as the OP as this DD seems not so burdened by the goody-goody girl syndrome (LOL).

 

[Minniemouse07]

I dont know, this what the prinicpal has in the handbook, that it was state mandated, although it is a Catholic school, and the school district only provides 1/2 day. Around here only the private schools offer full day. And another mom told me her prinicpal said the same thing.

Sorry if I am misinformed, just going by what I was told.

No worries. Most of the public schools around here (Suburban Philly) do have full day K... and if they don't, they are planning it within the next few years.

 

[Mkrop]

No worries. Most of the public schools around here (Suburban Philly) do have full day K... and if they don't, they are planning it within the next few years.

I am Chester County and we dont. The only have full for the at risk kids. We have a waiting list at our Catholic school bc everyone wants full day.

Our school offers an option of either full or 1/2.

 

[brymolmom]

Don't forget that the school cannot turn any child away. At my son's 'screening' for K last year, I asked a lot of questions about what he was expected to do - they basically said 'if he's 5 or 5 by Dec 1st - we want him!'. So, basically telling me that whether or not he can do stuff on day 1 of K they need to take him anyway. I thought too that he needed to know the letters and write his name, but it was not the case in my school. All the screenign was really for was to identify kids who might need some extra 'help' at the beginning of the school year (occupational therapy, speech, etc.).

As for what he has learned in Kindergarten....the year is almost over and I have seen very few worksheets with anything greater than the number 10 on it. They focus (here at least) more on reading at this level and on the 'concepts' of Math. So, for example, they have times when they'll 'group' items of 10, and then count by 10's to determine how many is there. So, even though they don't write and practice the number 24.....they are doing some things above and beyond knowing what number 10 is. I'm guessing it will be that way in your school too.

 

[Minniemouse07]

I am Chester County and we dont. The only have full for the at risk kids. We have a waiting list at our Catholic school bc everyone wants full day.

Our school offers an option of either full or 1/2.

Hmm I'm up in the northern suburbs ...all the districts up here are full day... North Penn, Abington, Upper Dublin, Wissahickon, Cheltenham, etc. I think Hatboro-Horsham may still have half day though.

There is a push in the PA legislature to make K mandatary statewide. Not sure if it is mandatory full day or not though.

 

[disykat]

I realize that some kids don't go to preschool...but unless they were kept in a cage with no books, toys or even tv they would be able to count to 10. They didn't mention a nap time...I hope they don't have one...DD would REALLY hate that too. Thanks everyone![/Q

I have to reply as a mom AND a kindergarten teacher. Neither of my kids went into Kindergarten knowing half the stuff parents like to brag about their kids knowing before kindergarten, and both just came out with pretty much the Kindergarten basics. They had every educational advantage, and were bright and inquistive. They just weren't that interested. Fortunately they had teachers and parents that understand child development so it wasn't a big deal. They are both honor roll students now in junior high, and one of them excels. (Straight A's in honors classes) My husband remembers finally learning to read in the 3rd grade - and he was his high school valedictorian.

Some kids are simply not developmentally ready in K to be fluently reading, writing, or using many of the math concepts that we teach. Read anything by Piaget on child development.

I have 19 kids in my class currently. One reads at the third grade level, two at second, a few at first grade level, a group right on grade level, and six kids who are still struggling with their letter sounds. I also have quite a few who came to K, even with preschool experience, not able to accurately count objects to 10. (Reciting it doesn't count!) They were not kept in cages, they were simply not ready.

A good teacher teaches on many levels. He/she plans activities that are tiered to reach kids with many different abilities.

If you want your child in a leveled classroom where all the kids are beyond grade level, you're probably going to have to go to a private school that has a different set of benchmarks for entry. In the public schools, they take everyone, and most gifted programs don't start until later - because it's not always the kids who come into K reading that turn out to be gifted.

 

[nessz79]

Some kids are simply not developmentally ready in K to be fluently reading, writing, or using many of the math concepts that we teach. Read anything by Piaget on child development.

I have 19 kids in my class currently. One reads at the third grade level, two at second, a few at first grade level, a group right on grade level, and six kids who are still struggling with their letter sounds. I also have quite a few who came to K, even with preschool experience, not able to accurately count objects to 10. (Reciting it doesn't count!) They were not kept in cages, they were simply not ready.

Totally agree!

 

[nessz79]

No one who has posted has appeared to be competitive about their children. The posts have all seemed to offer genuine reassurance from those of us who have been there, done that. The only negativity has actually been in your post.

As the one who actually mentioned chapter books in my post (and since no one else did, it is hard to feel that your comment was directed anywhere else), it was mentioned to illustrate that while DD was advanced compared to the stated kindergarten objectives, she was surrounded by 40 other kids who surpassed the objectives and by several that read just as well as she did. She was not bored and neither were her friends - they had an excellent teacher who quickly identified the levels of her kids. That's not to imply that some didn't struggle, but they were in the minority and they received the help they needed to be above grade level now.

If the OP's child is all alone in being advanced, she will have to be a stronger advocate to ensure her child is challenged. If her child is one of many who has the basics down, it is highly likely that all of those children will receive the special services they deserve.

I'm secure enough in my children's abilities (even the one not reading chapter books - go figure!) to not feel competitive with you or anyone else. Besides, my children's accomplishments are THEIRS, not mine.

Again, I reiterate that I was NOT flaming anyone that has posted. If I offended you by bringing up the chapter books, I apologize. I was using that as an example of how advanced some people's children are. I am very proud of my children and their own abilities, but it's hard for these threads to stay non-competitive when we start to list our own children's specific abilities...especially when those abilities are very advanced.

I wasn't trying to shoot anyone down but voice a concern.

 

[Aristomommy]

I realize that some kids don't go to preschool...but unless they were kept in a cage with no books, toys or even tv they would be able to count to 10. They didn't mention a nap time...I hope they don't have one...DD would REALLY hate that too. Thanks everyone![/Q

I have to reply as a mom AND a kindergarten teacher. Neither of my kids went into Kindergarten knowing half the stuff parents like to brag about their kids knowing before kindergarten, and both just came out with pretty much the Kindergarten basics. They had every educational advantage, and were bright and inquistive. They just weren't that interested. Fortunately they had teachers and parents that understand child development so it wasn't a big deal. They are both honor roll students now in junior high, and one of them excels. (Straight A's in honors classes) My husband remembers finally learning to read in the 3rd grade - and he was his high school valedictorian.

Some kids are simply not developmentally ready in K to be fluently reading, writing, or using many of the math concepts that we teach. Read anything by Piaget on child development.

I have 19 kids in my class currently. One reads at the third grade level, two at second, a few at first grade level, a group right on grade level, and six kids who are still struggling with their letter sounds. I also have quite a few who came to K, even with preschool experience, not able to accurately count objects to 10. (Reciting it doesn't count!) They were not kept in cages, they were simply not ready.

A good teacher teaches on many levels. He/she plans activities that are tiered to reach kids with many different abilities.

If you want your child in a leveled classroom where all the kids are beyond grade level, you're probably going to have to go to a private school that has a different set of benchmarks for entry. In the public schools, they take everyone, and most gifted programs don't start until later - because it's not always the kids who come into K reading that turn out to be gifted.

I really agree with this post. As a mother of a so called "gifted" child and one typically developing child, I can say readiness to read, math and other academic talents had so little to do with their environment. I have raised both children the exact same way and they are turning out very different from each other because of their genetic make up. I didn't know DD could read until she was reading labels at the grocery store. She just figured it out just as she has figured math 5 years ahead of the school curriculum. DS knows just a couple of letters and he is fine with that. He has the opportunity to learn, but not necessarily the readiness.

Initial giftedness also has nothing to do with academic success. Profoundly gifted children have their own set of learning issues and do very poorly in mainstream classrooms. Kindergarten is really to get a child ready for 1st grade and the process of school, but many schools make it very academic early on. To the OP, I would say to relax and not anticipate problems when there aren't any yet. Good luck!!!

 

[Crisgw]

I really agree with this post. As a mother of a so called "gifted" child and one typically developing child, I can say readiness to read, math and other academic talents had so little to do with their environment. I have raised both children the exact same way and they are turning out very different from each other because of their genetic make up. I didn't know DD could read until she was reading labels at the grocery store. She just figured it out just as she has figured math 5 years ahead of the school curriculum. DS knows just a couple of letters and he is fine with that. He has the opportunity to learn, but not necessarily the readiness.

Initial giftedness also has nothing to do with academic success. Profoundly gifted children have their own set of learning issues and do very poorly in mainstream classrooms. Kindergarten is really to get a child ready for 1st grade and the process of school, but many schools make it very academic early on. To the OP, I would say to relax and not anticipate problems when there aren't any yet. Good luck!!!

Very well said! My 3 yo is totally different than my oldest in this same respect. I also agree 100% with what you said.

 

[kyhardy]

My DD will be starting kindergarten at a public school in July. Yesterday we went to the "Kindergarten Roundup". They took the kids to one of the kindergarten classrooms and the parents stayed in the library and got forms and listened to the principal talk.

One of the brochures we got is called "What Your Child is Expected to Learn in Kindergarten". It lists several thing in each subject. For example in Reading it says they should know the letters of the alphabet by name and sound. For math, they should count up to 10 or more objects. There is alot more, but everything is very basic. The principal stressed that the things in the broshure lists things that they will have mastered by the end of kindergarten.

I only have 1 child and really all of her friends are in the same preschool that she goes to...but shouldn't kids already know this stuff by 5? She can everyone of the things in the brochure now. It's not even like she's super smart...she's just an average kid.

I am so worried that she will be bored and bad or that she will "forget" all the stuff she knows now. When we went to pick the kids up from the classroom DD was playing with one of those wooden puzzles with like 5 pieces that you'd give to a baby! This is supossed to be a really good elementary school. Am I overreacting?

One of the K teachers told her it was so great that she could tie her shoes and jokingly asked her if she would come back tomorrow to teach her class how to do it. I didn't teach her to tie her shoes...she learned it at preschool. The preschool she goes to is a Montesorri school and it goes to 6th grade, but we cannot afford to keep her there and I don't even think it would really be the right thing to do anyway.

Any advice? Thanks!

Our DS16 went to a private school thru third grade and upon the birth of our second child we changed him over to public school because we felt we couldn't afford it. It was 2 years before he really learned anything new. He has done well since with only minor struggles in his sophmore year of HS, mostly due to lack of responsibility on his part. DD9 has been enrolled at same school since kindergarten and we really do LOVE the school. Private schooling affords more than just an academically superior education. Our school is dedicated to teaching social skills and social responsibility, making children independent thinkers, problem solvers and instills good study and organizational habits from day one. I also find that the school community is a closer knit group that communicates and works together to acheive school goals that parents greatly influence. Bottom line I feel this type of educational investment has the potenial to return benefits well over the $ cost. I try to look at it as an investment in college as many children graduate with full ride or mostly pd scholarships. Really regret not finding a way to make it work for our DS. College in 2 more years!

 

[wrighter]

A dear friend of mine has a son who spent three years of preschool at Montessori before placing him in the local public elementary school. While he certainly started the school year "academically" above the others, he had a lot to learn "socially." For anyone who knows the theory behind Montessori, this likely does not come as a shock. Montessori is simply more individually driven. The biggest adjustment her son had to make was to the actual structure of the classroom - he was used to having much more personal responsibility for his choices and actions and direction. Moving into a classroom with much more structure was difficult. He didn't understand why he couldn't just do whatever it was that he wanted to do whenever he wanted to do it.

After much debate, we chose to send our DS to a more "social" preschool - for a number of reasons that were important to us. We know that eventually it all evens out. What is important is to instill a love of school and learning in our children, whatever way that works for each family.

Good luck to all of us who have firstborns heading into K next year!

 

[mom23boys]

Hmm I'm up in the northern suburbs ...all the districts up here are full day... North Penn, Abington, Upper Dublin, Wissahickon, Cheltenham, etc. I think Hatboro-Horsham may still have half day though.

There is a push in the PA legislature to make K mandatary statewide. Not sure if it is mandatory full day or not though.

My bold. Hi neighbor.

I am in HHSD and my youngest is in K and it is 1/2 day.

I did not realize we were the only one around here that was a half day.

I understand OPs concerns, my oldest went to private K and I really thought he would be bored entering 1st grade, but he was not and he did just fine.

 

[htmom]

-Any good teacher will be able to see that she is "advanced" or not advanced, remember she needs to know this stuff in the classroom environment, not just a mommy says type of thing, don't take offence to that but if you only knew how many moms I hear say, "my kid knows all this stuff" and they don't

-K is so much more than academics I am a bit surprised that so many people feel that it is.

-You will ALWAYS find kids who are smarter or more delayed, if your DD notices she feels bored you need to be an advocate for her to get her what she needs to excel. But always remember, there are other kids in the class that might not have had the same start as her, for her what is reviewing might be all new to some kids. (maybe new to her in some situations and to others old hat)

- And about rest time, she will live. That was another argument (not really it was just on her side) I had with a parent, their kid didn't take rests, well guess what in my class we all lay down with a book and rest. (and wanna guess which kid fell asleep first ) Being quiet while others are resting is a huge task for some kids, something that they need to learn to do.

 

[Liltx]

I taught Kinder for 9 years and never once had a bored child. I had children that didn't know their letters and then children who were doing long division and reading on a sixth grade level. All of them gained from being in kindergarten. Usually children are not advanced in all areas. A child may be academically advanced but you must look at the social, adaptive behavior, music and movement, initiative, etc. All of this is worked on in kinder. So while it is great that you dd knows her letters and sounds (which in my opinion means very little in the whole learning to read spectrum) there are I'm sure many other things she will learn in kinder.
Also I believe a rest time is vital to the health and well being of a young child. They need that down time. There is alot of research on it. Actually adults can benefit as well.
So stay calm and realize that the teacher is trained and that your baby will have a wonderful experience.

Monica