"Mandatory All Day Kindergarten"???

Sheryl - posted on 04/23/2010

My daughter went to all day kindergarten I thought it was ok. But in the afternoon they would lay down after lunch for a little while. If they fell asleep the teacher would let them sleep for like an hour and then wake them up. But they had this 30 min. of quiet time after lunch. I think she really enjoyed being in school all day.

Sherri

Becky - posted on 04/23/2010

It is agood idea all kids should go to all day kindergarten it is so much better than half day because by the time they get there go to class take attendance and read a story it is time to go home

Amanda - posted on 03/23/2010

My oldest child went to 1/2 day Kindergarten and full days. She loved full days, when we moved to a 1/2 day area, she actually hated school. She would tell me that it was a waste of her day, since there was no time to learn, or play. 2 1/2 hours a day is not school, its just a break from mom.



It almost makes it a bit easier for two working parents, in my school, we even have before school daycare, and after school daycare, for parents who work before or after school starts or ends. So for some children school starts at 7am and ends around 6 pm (at a cost to the parent of course but still cheaper then normal daycare).

Wendie - posted on 03/22/2010

i think all day kindergarten is awesome idea. they have it at our elementary school. but only on one of the tracks, so i couldnt put my daughter in it. i know she would have loved it though. going to school all day long like the big kids.

Laura - posted on 03/17/2010

Both my daughters, 7 and 8 went to 1/2 day kindergarten. It gave them the chance and opportunity to be away from mommy, learn a little bit more about the outside world and have something to share with the family when they came home. The 1/2 day thing also allowed them to play and BE A CHILD for 1/2 a day at home. It gave me the time in the morning to work and gave me the afternoon to be the mom. As for the school readiness thing, if you do your part as a parent your kids will be ready. Mine read and do math at 1 to 2 grades ahead of where they need to be. I guess you just have to decide how involved you want to be as a parent, mentor, teacher, and child advocate. PRO's - child has age appropriate activities and "friends" to share his day with, CON'S - parents don't get to be as involved in their child's early childhood...the state does!

Melanie - posted on 03/16/2010

In Montgomery County, Maryland we have had mandatory all day kindergarten since 2001 at least. The schools are ranked as the best in the country and all of the teachers in upper grades have said again and again how advanced the children are now.

Angela - posted on 03/09/2010

We don't have mandatory kindergarten in NC either. Pros: Helping the majority of children who may not have it otherwise a chance to get a jumpstart on success in school and life, helping parents not have to pay another year of childcare expenses at $400-600.00 per month and giving children a fun introduction to school. Cons: Costs to the states and taxpayers for an additional year of mandatory schooling.

Tracy - posted on 03/09/2010

Both my kids had all day kindergarten. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Half-day does not prepare them for 1st grade, or at least not enough. The teachers have more time to work with your child in all day Kindergarten, and if the class is made up of some kids who are ready to read and other kids who don't even know their alphabet, then more time with them during the day gives the teacher more time with your child.

Brenda - posted on 03/09/2010

The socialization thing is a total myth and has been so disproved for many years now. I have been involved in home education for over 17 years and 12 of our 15 have already graduated our home school. Here a a couple great articles for anyone who is interested.



http://finehomeschooling.com/homeschooli...



http://www.homeschool.com/articles/socia...



http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...



http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...



http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...



And here is one of my favorites. I found this several years ago :)

“When my wife and I mention we are strongly considering homeschooling our children, we are without fail asked, ‘But what about socialization?’ Fortunately, we found a way our kids can receive the same socialization that government schools provide. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I will personally corner my son in the bathroom, give him a wedgie and take his lunch money. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, my wife will make sure to tease our children for not being in the ‘in’ crowd, taking special care to poke fun at any physical abnormalities. Fridays will be ‘Fad and Peer Pressure Day.’ We will all compete to see who has the coolest toys, the most expensive clothes, and the loudest, fastest, and most dangerous car. Every day, my wife and I will adhere to a routine of cursing and swearing in the hall and mentioning our weekend exploits with alcohol and immorality…. And we have asked them to report us to the authorities in the event we mention faith, religion, or try to bring up morals and values.”

Shelly - posted on 03/09/2010

Also, it is good to have mandatory school because there are far to many families that can not or do not have the tools to educate their own children. Several reasons, most people are not educated enough to teach their own children properly. There are many households where children do not have a stable atmosphere and if it wasn't for outside schooling, many of our children today would be even worse off. Secondly, it takes 2 parents to make it these days financially. We have home school as an option so for those we are capable of doing it but then kids don't learn the social skills to interact with others.

Shelly - posted on 03/09/2010

I think it is a good idea. I live in Texas and in my area they stopped the full days a couple years after I was in kindergarten (23 or so yrs ago). There was more time to learn things and to grasp ideas. We weren't just thrown into every topic. We had a small nap time to rest or lay down and had a full afternoon to be refreshed and ready to go. I believe it helped me be more prepared for 1st grade and we had time to start reading. I've been told I was a mature kid so to me maybe I see it differently but I am for it.

Joi - posted on 03/08/2010

We have had all day kindergarden here for about 30 years now. I personally love it. My kids didn't even phase them. They get more breaks (free time and 2 recesses) but no nap time. I think it is great that they get to have a good structure for learning. the kids learn more because they have more time in the classroom.

Brenda - posted on 03/08/2010

I do not believe in "mandatory" school of any age. Children belong to the parents and they care more about them than any government school. Illiteracy used to be almost unheard of as the families made sure their children could read. It is higher now than before. I read some statistics just the other day but cannot find it. Here is another little post.
http://willtoexist.com/literacy-rates_10...

Linda - posted on 03/07/2010

Mandatory, all day. My two oldest children attended a Montessori school for Kindergarten and did very well there. I transferred them to public school when they were 1st and 2nd grade. The 2nd grader was put in the advanced math class, but regular language Arts. The 1st grader needed remedial help in Reading. (My bad, we didn't read over the summer. Might have something to do with having a 3yo and a 1yo at home too.

Kids #3 and 4 both attended public Kindergarten. Kid #3 (boy) did fairly well, we discovered he needs "alone time" to complete his work. He does not do well in a group environment. Something some of his teachers just couldn't seem to figure out, even after I explained he would get everything done if they would just put his desk in the corner.

Kid#4 (girl) excelled in Kindergarten. She's a girl mind you. She is now in 2nd grade and is in advanced math and reading on a level 40 (4th grade).

So yes, I think mandatory all day Kindergarten is a good idea for those who may need the extra boost to get them ready for 1st grade, and for those who have come to blow their teachers out of the water.

Good luck on your thesis!

Margi - posted on 03/06/2010

Here in New South Wales, Australia... all children go to school at about age 5. Give or take a couple of months either way. Kindergarteners generally get a week of "short days" which end at lunch time and then they go to full days, finishing with the rest of the school at around 3pm. They don't nap in Kindergarten...

Sandra - posted on 03/06/2010

As a teacher and mom of 3 who attended full day kindergarten, I think all children should have these opportunities. With my children, I saw that they were more school oriented and ready to learn by first grade. With my students, those that have has pre-k and kindergarten are usually the most prepared to learn and be a positive part of my second grade classroom. I have one student this year who did not attend kindergarten due to being in a state that did not require it, he was further behind both socially and academically. He is doing better academically but still is socially behind.

Tj - posted on 03/06/2010

Mandatory...My oldest son went all day and learned a lot more and was able to learn his sight words by his 2nd semester as for my youngest who goes part time...still still struggling and theres 2 months til summer!!!!!!

Dana - posted on 03/05/2010

Our kids have gone to all day kindergarten and did great with it. They had a nap time just as they would have had in preschool or daycare so it wasn't too much for them. The first week of school the kids rotate throught the classroom. 1/4 the class each day mon-thurs...this gives the teachers a chance to get to know their new little ones on a more personal level more quickly, and the kids don't feel so overwhelmed by having 20 new children all at once. Then they are all together on Fri and of course for the rest of the year. This seems to work really well for our school system.