Pros and Cons of Full Day Kindergarten please

[castleview]

I am a kindergarten teacher and I could not imagine getting everything I need to do done in 1/2 day!
That said, you could go to your state's education website and look at the standards that have to be taught. That would give you an idea of what all they have to learn.
And remember, not every child has a Beaver Cleaver home-life. Not all parents are able to be home with their child all day. not all children have the opportunity to go to pre-school, or have someone who works with them at home. Even if you live in a seemingly "good" area where you would suspect all homes were like yours that may not be the case.

oh and some of my students get on the bus at 6am, all students get to school by 7am and class starts at 7:45. We release students at 3:15. kinders have to turn 5 by Dec 31 so I do have 4 yr olds and they are all adjusted after a few weeks at most. (we do take a little nap in the afternoon though )
So if it takes a lot longer than that the student probably wouldn't be ready for a 1/2 day either and should wait another year.

Whatever you decide OP just remember that your child is gonna get your vibes on how to react to school, if you are upset about him being gone all day than he will be upset and have a harder time adjusting.

My last child is in kindergarten so it won't effect my kids. However, I'd rather our schools put money into the kids that are already there than take this on. As for the Beaver-Cleaver home life - well, that was kind of snotty. Plenty of families in my towns have two income families and I work part time. But many adjust their schedules to be around the kids…who have the rest of their lives to go to school all day, BTW. I don't expect to have to pay for other people's choices to work during school hours, just as I don't expect them to fund me being home to get the kids off the bus.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I think it is also important to note that different school districts in different parts of the country have different needs. For example, the district I teach in has had full day K for the last 7 years. The demands educationally are higher (whether that is right or not is a different argument). Therefore, kinders need that full day program to learn reading, writing skills, mathematical thinking, social development through group work and dramatic play, as well as gross motor development through physical play.
However, a relative of mine teaches in another state in which the state and/or district standards are not as high. Therefore, kinders do not necessarily need the full day program which may be why some of you felt it didn't make a difference. Unfortunately, in my district, a child who didn't have full day would fall quite behind in our first grade.
In the end, I wish kids could be kids a little longer. But the fact is that if states keep making the standards higher in what the expect these little ones to achieve, then I think schools have no choice but to better prepare them.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

My last child is in kindergarten so it won't effect my kids. However, I'd rather our schools put money into the kids that are already there than take this on. As for the Beaver-Cleaver home life - well, that was kind of snotty. Plenty of families in my towns have two income families and I work part time. But many adjust their schedules to be around the kids…who have the rest of their lives to go to school all day, BTW. I don't expect to have to pay for other people's choices to work during school hours, just as I don't expect them to fund me being home to get the kids off the bus.

 

[castleview]

I think it is also important to note that different school districts in different parts of the country have different needs. For example, the district I teach in has had full day K for the last 7 years. The demands educationally are higher (whether that is right or not is a different argument). Therefore, kinders need that full day program to learn reading, writing skills, mathematical thinking, social development through group work and dramatic play, as well as gross motor development through physical play.
However, a relative of mine teaches in another state in which the state and/or district standards are not as high. Therefore, kinders do not necessarily need the full day program which may be why some of you felt it didn't make a difference. Unfortunately, in my district, a child who didn't have full day would fall quite behind in our first grade.
In the end, I wish kids could be kids a little longer. But the fact is that if states keep making the standards higher in what the expect these little ones to achieve, then I think schools have no choice but to better prepare them.

We're in a high performing state with high standards, but we do have a big achievement gap. The problem I'm seeing is that the mandates the state is passing to help the troubled schools are not necessary in most school systems and are in fact, a nuisance. I don't see why these provisions have to be applied to all schools - why not just the ones that need it?