Kindergarten

[sunlver]

For those who kids do half day Kindergarten, do you think they can learn enough in that time?

My youngest is in half Day Kindergarten..Dont get me wrong.. I would miss her dearly if she were gone all day..Maybe because she is my youngesst of 3, and the baby..that I am extremely anxious to have her back home. Her hours are 8-11:10am..we live 9 houses from the school so she is back home by 11:20.
My other 2 kids had half day as well at that age, and did fine..

I know it is the 2nd week of school, but I look at what they have done, and basically I am still waiting for the real learning to start. The other day my daughter told me that they went to PE and to Music class..I was happy that she was so excited about all that, but it made me think.."How much learning really goes on?"

I am not trying to start any debates or anything about half day versus all day Kindergarten. I was just basically wondering how much can they learn in those 3 hours??

 

[JennaTX]

Our school, since my kids have been there, do not offer half day kindergarten.

If that is what your school offers, then I would assume that your child would be on the same track as the other kids since they are on the same schedule.

 

[mlynn]

My dd is also Half day kindergarten(i really wish it was full day). I think they are just trying the 1st few weeks to get the kids used to the school and the rules. My daughter went to preschool but that is so different then kindergarten. The teacher has 18 kids and only an aid for 1/2 hour a day. I think give it a few more weeks and see after that. They have to adjust to a new setting 1st.

 

[aprilgail2]

Well for sure they don't learn as much as kids in full day kindergarten but since all the kids go to half day then they will be right on track with the rest of the kids. We haven't had half day here in 20 years or so and I didn't even realize some places still did until I read it on here. By the time my duaghter was out of kindergarten she was reading very well, but that was because it was full day and all the kids were reading-not because she was extra special.

 

[torinsmom]

As a K teacher, let me say that it takes 3-4 weeks for the kids to be settled and for us to assess them. We started school 8/25, and I just finished assessments last Friday. The kids were also practicing sitting on line, walking in the hallway, being respectful of work and each other, and learning where everything is.

After 3-4 weeks, the learning will begin. We are full day, but there is some down time, like recess, free choice time, and lunch. I imagine with less down time, teachers could get in the same amount of learning. Anyway, I'm sure your child will learn more than she would if she didn't go at all. You can always email the teacher and ask what the goals are for the class this year.

Marsha

 

[java]

Well for sure they don't learn as much as kids in full day kindergarten but since all the kids go to half day then they will be right on track with the rest of the kids. We haven't had half day here in 20 years or so and I didn't even realize some places still did until I read it on here. By the time my duaghter was out of kindergarten she was reading very well, but that was because it was full day and all the kids were reading-not because she was extra special.

My half day kindergartener was reading as well and again- not because he was extra special-just because they did have time to focus on the basics.

Around here there are 2 full day kindergartens. And when I see what goes on in the second half of the day I am not so sure they are getting more than the half day. They take NAPS! For 45 minutes they have "quiet time" which I thought was looking at books, puzzles ect. NOPE they break out the pillows and take a nap.

I'll go with everyone else and say really it's only the beginning. Give it some time. Even my now 1st grader isn't doing too much yet.

 

[mtemm]

our school offers half day kindy and fully day kindy for a fee. the curriculum is the same, whether its half day or full day. they cannot do more in full day than in half day. mine do half day. what they miss out on is recess, lunch, and some play time. not a lot of free time in half day kindergarten!

 

[mjkacmom]

We have 1/2 day, and I don't like it, because they cram a whole day into a 1/2 day (with 15 minutes of free time). They start VERY slow, because they have to determine where the kids are. Some kids are reading chapter books, some haven't learned all of their letters. Half of the parents, who's children can read about 20 words, will be up in arms, and ask for extra work for their gifted children (I've had 5 attend kindergarten - just speaking from experience). As long as your child is enjoying school, everything is fine.

 

[TinkerbEllnor]

I am the parent of a 1st grader who was in half day K last year.

I thought the same thing. He was there for 2 1/2 hrs, and in that time had recess and snack time too, how much learning could they do?. My 3 yr old was in preschool longer than he was in K each day.

But that time must have been very intense. They had no special classes- no gym, no music, no art, no library time- unless it was incorporated into what they were doing in the class. And after a couple of months, I was amazed at the strides they made. At K evaluation, DS only knew his letters, half the sounds, and could write his name. By the end of the year, he was fully reading.

 

[HerdOHuds]

Something to keep in mind is that Kindergarten-aged children do not have a long attention span. They cannot attend to a sit-and-listen lesson for more than a few minutes and benefit more from active, free-play sorts of activities that may only last for 20 minutes, tops. Also, transitions between activities may take longer because of the developmental stage of the children. So when you take all that into account, then a lot can be accomplished in just a few short hours.

Give it some time, volunteer to help out in the classroom so you can see what is happening and what is being learned, and talk to the teacher about the goals of a few activities.

 

[corie161]

Our school does all day every other day for the first couple of months (until after Thanksgiving break). I really like it that way. They can get used to the full days without it being too much. After Thanksgiving they have the option (which must be decided in advance) to send the kids all day every day or continue on with M, W, F. I think the vast majority do all day every day.

 

[luvmy3]

My ds was in half day K last year (12-2:30). Betweeen snack time, rest time, library, gym I feel they do not have enough time for learning. His K class was no different from his half day pre-K class. I don't fault the teachers they do what they can in the time they have, its just not enough.
I also have a nephew who was in full day K, and can say they were much farther ahead by the end of the year. Unfortunately it puts all the grades behind until about 4th grade. Our first grade is like a true kindergarten class. I was hoping by the time my third was entering the school system, our district would have full day, unfortunately we just don't have the budget for it.

 

[Minnesota!]

our school offers half day kindy and fully day kindy for a fee. the curriculum is the same, whether its half day or full day. they cannot do more in full day than in half day. mine do half day. what they miss out on is recess, lunch, and some play time. not a lot of free time in half day kindergarten!

Word for word with my situation. Full day at our school costs an additional $2K a year - which I didn't feel was worth it. The full day is a carry over from the 1/2 day. So whatever they learn in the AM, they rehash in the PM so that no one is ahead of anyone else. Plus they get recess, lunch, and some rest time...which my son gets for "free" at home..

My son is only on day 5 but he already can do simple addition and has started reading better! He is sounding out everything he sees in print to see if he can pronounce it. No doubt he will be full out reading WELL ahead of end of school year.

My niece went to the full day kindergarten last year and I can tell you - she did not learn any more then my son will this year.

Today he has a tour of the school so I am sure not too much learning "stuff" will get done but I am fine with that. You gotta have fun sometimes. Tomorrow he has math, religion, music and Spanish. Each for 30 minutes. I don't think its reasonable to ask Kindergarteners to sit for more then that at a stretch. Mix play time and snack time in there and you fill up your 3 hours!

 

[ckay87]

All of today's most brilliant scientists, inventors, creative thinkers, and so on, are graduates of 1/2 day kindergarten. I despise the idea of full day K and am very glad I don't have children that age anymore.

 

[trip]

I think Kindergarten is a tough year. You can have 4 yr olds, red-shirts that are 6+, some that don't know their letters or sounds, some that can already read chapter books, some that have been in daycare and are used to group settings, and some that have never been in any pre-school settings.

If half day is normal for a system (whether because of space or budget) most children do fine. Through the years I have had children attend schools in 6 different states (military). Some had 1/2 day and some full day. We always played school at home to supplement any areas we felt were lacking.

It does seem to take forever for the school year to really get into the full swing of learning. Just remember that it takes awhile for the teacher to learn about your child.

 

[Mkrop]

Well for sure they don't learn as much as kids in full day kindergarten but since all the kids go to half day then they will be right on track with the rest of the kids. We haven't had half day here in 20 years or so and I didn't even realize some places still did until I read it on here. By the time my duaghter was out of kindergarten she was reading very well, but that was because it was full day and all the kids were reading-not because she was extra special.

Both of my boys were 1/2 day Kers and DS12 ws reading BEFORE he started K, and DS6 was reading by the end of K.

My half day kindergartener was reading as well and again- not because he was extra special-just because they did have time to focus on the basics.

Around here there are 2 full day kindergartens. And when I see what goes on in the second half of the day I am not so sure they are getting more than the half day. They take NAPS! For 45 minutes they have "quiet time" which I thought was looking at books, puzzles ect. NOPE they break out the pillows and take a nap.

I'll go with everyone else and say really it's only the beginning. Give it some time. Even my now 1st grader isn't doing too much yet.

Same here. Our school has both a full and 1/2 day option. The full day Kers, go to lunch, then recess, lay down, and then do more with Centers. On occasion the teacher will review some things that may have gotten shortchanged due to an assembly or such.

Both full and 1/2 go to all specials as well. I felt both of my kids came out very strong academically compared to their full day peers. The only thing DS6 is getting used to is going to lunch and the procedure of going through the lunch line.

 

[Aneille]

My kids went through 1/2 day K, both are doing well in 2nd and 1st grade now.

My 1st grader can read 2nd/3rd grade chapter books and can easily do the 1st grade math. She could not read going into 1/2 day K.

My 2nd grader struggled in K due to various reasons but blossomed in 1st grade and is doing very well. I think she has some gaps in math due to her K class but it has nothing to do with it being a 1/2 day class.

I think that if the school system has a 1/2 day K then the majority of kids did 1/2 day too and are all starting off at roughly the same point.

In K my kids spent the entire year learning to count, skip count, color, cut, social studies, seasons, science and all the phonics for reading. It gave them a great base for moving forward in their education and it allowed for everyone in the class to get on the same playing field for 1st grade.

 

[sunlver]

Thank you for everybody's input on this. LIke I said she is my youngest. My son is in 10th grade, and my other daughter in 5 th grade. All went to the same school, and all doing wonderful school wise.

I guess I am anxious for the fact that at the end of this month or beginning of Oct they will test them to see if any of them need the extended day Kindergarten. It is only offered to the students they "think" may need the extra help. My other two kids never needed it. Both my oldest kids are very smart, they are not gifted, but do extremely well in school. My youngest seems a little bit slower to learn new things, compared her siblings at the same age. Now dont get me wrong, my 5 yr old may just be average, and I am AOK with that. In my mind, I keep remembering what my other kids knew at this age. My 5 yr old did go to preschool last yr, so she has that on her side.
So, I am anxious to know where she falls, will she need the extra help or is she right where she should be?

I know I shouldn't compare the kids, but each child is different and I will just have to wait.
She really does love Kindergarten, she wakes up happy, gets off the bus happy and can't get there fast enough in the morning.

 

[JoBird]

Thank you for everybody's input on this. LIke I said she is my youngest. My son is in 10th grade, and my other daughter in 5 th grade. All went to the same school, and all doing wonderful school wise.

I guess I am anxious for the fact that at the end of this month or beginning of Oct they will test them to see if any of them need the extended day Kindergarten. It is only offered to the students they "think" may need the extra help. My other two kids never needed it. Both my oldest kids are very smart, they are not gifted, but do extremely well in school. My youngest seems a little bit slower to learn new things, compared her siblings at the same age. Now dont get me wrong, my 5 yr old may just be average, and I am AOK with that. In my mind, I keep remembering what my other kids knew at this age. My 5 yr old did go to preschool last yr, so she has that on her side.
So, I am anxious to know where she falls, will she need the extra help or is she right where she should be?

I know I shouldn't compare the kids, but each child is different and I will just have to wait.
She really does love Kindergarten, she wakes up happy, gets off the bus happy and can't get there fast enough in the morning.

Awwww- I think what the problem is-- is she's the baby. I have seen the same thing with my three. My oldest (now in HS) taught herself to read before she started Kindergarten. My middle (the only boy) is interested in school, but doesn't LIVE for it the way his older sis does. My youngest, in 2nd grade, really couldn't give two flips about reading or math.

She went to 1/2 day Kindergarten (the other two went to full day). ANd --IMO, I don't think she learned as much in that year as the other two in full day.

When we moved from PA where she was in Kindergaten to AR for her first grade- she was very very behind the other kids, and is in fact still playing catch up in Math.

I think as long as you aren't planning on moving her into another school anytime soon, you probably won't see that much of a difference between her and other kids.

Jo

 

[mjkacmom]

Thank you for everybody's input on this. LIke I said she is my youngest. My son is in 10th grade, and my other daughter in 5 th grade. All went to the same school, and all doing wonderful school wise.

I guess I am anxious for the fact that at the end of this month or beginning of Oct they will test them to see if any of them need the extended day Kindergarten. It is only offered to the students they "think" may need the extra help. My other two kids never needed it. Both my oldest kids are very smart, they are not gifted, but do extremely well in school. My youngest seems a little bit slower to learn new things, compared her siblings at the same age. Now dont get me wrong, my 5 yr old may just be average, and I am AOK with that. In my mind, I keep remembering what my other kids knew at this age. My 5 yr old did go to preschool last yr, so she has that on her side.
So, I am anxious to know where she falls, will she need the extra help or is she right where she should be?

I know I shouldn't compare the kids, but each child is different and I will just have to wait.
She really does love Kindergarten, she wakes up happy, gets off the bus happy and can't get there fast enough in the morning.

My 3 oldest were reading before kindergarten, 2 of them short books with a few sentences on each page, 1 of them chapter books (she loved Junie B in kindy). However, my twins weren't reading before entering, and even now, have to read aloud to me, because they don't know all of the words. All kids get it at different rates, and it seems to click with most kids in the third grade or so.