Livia has three and a half years to go until she’s enrolled in any type of formal schooling, and yet here I am, getting all worked up over the notion of all day kindergarten in Lincoln Public Schools.
Right now most elementary schools in our city don’t have the space to open kindergarten classes from 8am to 3pm, but the day is coming when the entire school district will make this move. In fact, that day will most likely come in 2008… And Livia will start kindergarten in 2009. I am in no way thrilled at the idea of sending my small child into a classroom for six hours every day.
There’s a chance I’m just being stubborn here. Afterall, I went to pre-K and Kindergarten for half days only; it’s what I’m used to. But really, it’s more complicated than that. Young children are not developmentally prepared to be in school all day long – a good teacher knows this. Traditionally, it’s the kindergarten year that initiates a child into the schooling process and then they turn around and attend all day during the first grade year. The thing is that our society is based on daycare programs now and all day kindergarten looks to be a more productive way for five year olds to spend their time. I can’t argue with that perspective. If Livia was in full time childcare now, I might not sweat this all day kindergarten thing so much.
Still, I think all day school for kindergarten children is too much, too fast.
Some online studies seem to show that strong educational emphasis in kindergarten helps high-risk children succeed in successive grades. Other studies show no hard evidence that all day kindergarten is academically superior in the long run. What gets me even more frustrated is that I just called the LPS headquarters and asked for resources on the benefits of all day kindergarten. I was told that they didn’t have any information to send to me (why don’t they have a web page on this topic??), but that all day kindergarten has been proven to benefit all children in future grades. When I pressed further about how long these benefits lasted, I was told it was beneficial all the way through high school graduation. Sorry, LPS. I need solid proof that your programs are really necessary to our schoolkids. When it comes to my child(ren), I’m not going to simply buy the party line and then blindly follow along.
Some of you are probably thinking, Hello? Homeschool Livia! I may blog more on that very topic later, but at this point in time we want Livia to attend public school. Still, I have this itchy voice in the back of my mind wondering if this one issues bothers me so much right now, how many more issues will be taking control away from me as a parent in the future…
10 Comments
Lindsey Feb 15, 2006 4:56 PM
As someone who is 21 and does not have children, I’m sure I can give an educated opinion. :) Or not.
I am pro-public school (okay, any type of formal schooling) and I don’t really see full-day kindergarten as being an asset. I went half-day, and I think it was a good transition into this whole school thing that took over my life from age five til … now. Is there a possibility that schools will be able to choose which program they would like? I know that may not help considering that you pretty much have to go to the school in your district, but you might have the option.
Jacinda Feb 15, 2006 8:40 PM
I think it’s just the trend these days, across the country. Kindergarten apparently isn’t kindergarten anymore, it’s mini-1st grade. With the goals for increasing achievement, it only makes sense that they want to keep our kids for more hours to stuff them full of more dry information.
Torrin’s starting kindergarten this year, and I would be fine with a full-day program for him. But he’s been in daycare on a part-time basis since he was 6 months old. He hasn’t been in daycare since October, but it is something he is certainly acquainted with. I think the expectation these days is that kids are coming to kindergarten with those social skills already in hand since so many do attend childcare of some sort. Transition? Who needs that? :P
It would be nice if parents were offered an option; however, with the likely-forthcoming state mandate that probably won’t be a choice.
And yes, oh yes, this is only the beginning of heart-wrenching, seeing-red issues! Amazing what the Interest of Your Child’s Well-Being will do to you ;)
kristen Feb 16, 2006 9:07 AM
The school Mike teaches at had only offered half-day kindergarten this far, but several families had to withdraw enrollment, etc. when they couldn’t make afternoon plans so starting next year all parents have the option of full or half-day kindergarten, which I think is the best way to go. We’ll see how many enroll in full-day. I *think* they are just going to do enrichment stuff in the afternoons so if it is only a few kids they will be combined with the other students in the morning.
We’re planning on sending Kate there at this point, and I jokingly said the other day that I’d prefer the half-day but if enrolling for full-day would guarantee Kate get the teacher I prefer, I’d be tempted.
Jeannette Feb 16, 2006 9:23 AM
Maybe you could visit a classroom.
Surely a good teacher will know how to divide the time in an age-appropriate way. Perhaps the teachers themselves would prefer half-days, but are able to use the state-mandated whole days in a way that won’t stress out the little tykes.
Hey, I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to homeschool. I think there’s those of us called, and those of us not. (I don’t feel called at the moment, but I sort of have some time.)
bobw Feb 16, 2006 9:52 AM
funny, I always thought K was supposed to be all day and Pre-K was half day? at least that’s what I’ve always known. I guess it just depends where you’re from?
Melissa Marsh Feb 16, 2006 9:54 AM
My stepson attended all-day kindergarten in Scottsbluff, NE, and had no problems with it whatsoever. I was astonished when we moved to Lincoln and they didn’t have all-day kindergarten.
I just had a parent-teacher conference with my daughter’s kindergarten teacher yesterday and I was absolutely blown away by the stuff they must know. In fact, her teacher said that it’s more like first grade curriculum than kindergarten! I think that standards have risen a bit TOO high and perhaps this has necessitated a need for pushing for the all-day kindergarten.
My daughter would be fine at all-day kindergarten, but not all kids are alike. IMO, parents should have the final say – an option to choose – but I don’t know that LPS is looking at that or not.
RT Feb 16, 2006 12:04 PM
It’s good to hear that some of you have had positive experiences with all day kindergarten and that it may work out alright for us. I definitely need to relax and take the wait-and-see approach on this topic, because… 1) I’m a first time, protective mom and 2) Livia is not even two yet. I can already tell she’ll be more ready than me on her first day of school! I’ll be the parent that the principal gently ushers to the front door saying things like, She’ll be fine, Mrs. Tredway. ; )
TulipGirl Feb 20, 2006 1:01 AM
“Still, I have this itchy voice in the back of my mind wondering if this one issues bothers me so much right now, how many more issues will be taking control away from me as a parent in the future…”
Going from homeschooling–>school-building school this year has brought up a lot of inner conflict about that very thing. Especially since I was enjoying reading educational theory since I was 14. . . Very opinionated on what is best for kids in general, and my kids specifically. And I’ve had to let go of the reins to a large extent.
That said, son #3 is in full-day kindergarten this year. Of course, he’s the oldest in his class, and in the afternoon they have rest time and non-academic activities. It works for him, but I do share your in-general concerns about full-day K.
Each of our boys, except the oldest, is at the older end of their class. I know it’s usually spoken of more frequently for little boys, but something to consider may be delaying starting school for Livia. You’d want to take into consideration where her birthday falls in relation to the school cut off, as well as her social/developmental strengths and weaknesses. Of the half-dozen or so older kids I know who started later in K, all of them are doing excellently.
RT Feb 20, 2006 8:51 AM
TG, I agree with what you wrote about delayed starts for kindergarten — sometimes it really is the best thing for a child. However, Livia’s birthday falls towards the end of a school year and her social/cognitive skills are excellent, so I’m almost 100% certain she’ll enter kindergarten as a five year old.
One helpful thing is that I have a degree in education, which boosts my confidence in making these important decisions and relieves most fears regarding public schooling. (Of course, it helps that I attended great LPS schools as well.) Our family is still working with a PT with the Early Head Start program at LPS and this professional, and her colleagues, have demonstrated the utmost of competence and excellence since our first interview with them. Now that Livia’s walking, I’m sure she’ll graduate from the program soon. But overall, it’s been great to see how our school system is trying to prepare children for kindergarten.
TulipGirl Feb 22, 2006 11:11 PM
“One helpful thing is that I have a degree in education, which boosts my confidence in making these important decisions and relieves most fears. . .”
Yes, and makes it all the more frustrating when you can see what you really want done in a situation but you back out of it because, well, you’re respecting the teacher and the class situation. . . *L*
At the before-school parent/teacher meeting I informed my oldest son’s teachers that he was an avid reader, but his handwriting was weak; and that he was great with mental math and concepts, but didn’t have his multiplication facts memorized. Two weeks into the school year she met with me and told me the same thing. I just had to nod and say, “Yes, you are right.”
Anyway, sounds like Livia will love K when she starts. I know I did. *Grin*