So, I honestly don't know how rigorous it is here but based on recent posts I know they have upped the bar in Kindergarten since most of us were in school. WDYT about this?
Honestly, I think it's kind of ridiculous. I don't think kids need to be so advanced in their learning during Kindergarten. I am such a big believer in play and working on social/emotional stuff and think that the academic stuff will come much easier if those things are going really well.
I DO think if kids are really interested and showing a capacity to learn more advanced things then you should definitely go with it but I don't think that pushing all the kids is the way to go either.
Steph - where are you??? I'd love to hear your input.
OMT - I have only been in a charter school Kindergarten to observe here and they were learning about obtuse and acute angles. I just think that is a bit much. I don't know. I'm kind of torn on the issue but leaning towards less advanced academic stuff in kinder and focusing on building relationships, self esteem and a love of learning.
I do believe that between birth - 6 they absorb so much. I think exposure to things is key during these years. Not to get a leg up or to know it all. It honestly is not even really used, but when they do go to use it, the info clicks. Allie takes French, Creative Movement, Music and it is all just exposure. Honestly she loves it.
I still feel that play is very important to development. I also feel though that a child has what it needs by 8th grade. I feel that what High School you select is not as important in terms of early education selection. Most children develop their learning style by 8th grade. I am sure many disagree on this too. I am sure HS teachers will disagree. I am speaking from a brain development angle. Not that they are not learning more information to add to their data base. I know the brain does not fully develop till early adulthood,but the parts of the brain that have developed in your early years .
I do not believe in pushing math,reading or computer. I am actually very against computer use at this age. I do know that society pushes it and a lot of parents equate being fluent on the computer as intelligent, but that is another topic. I feel this all becomes important in elementary.
I know that here kids enter 1st grade reading. Is it pushed, no? I think the average age that children begin to read is 4/5 and I honestly do not recall what age I began reading. That is why I had wondered if most of our 05'ers were reading yet or starting to.
Ok, to expand on the HS comment. Not that I feel HS is not important. I just really feel that your early education is your foundation. If you do not have a good exposure then you are wasting your formative years. By the time you get to HS you have already learned to read, write, etc. When you get to HS you are not learning to read, but reading to learn and so forth. Your frontal lobe is developing and it allows you more abstract thoughts, problem solving, etc. However, what you were exposed to in the earlier years of education is what to me really was your base and by the time you get to HS you are just enriching what you have already learned.
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-- Edited by CoffeeQueen on Friday 29th of January 2010 01:31:25 PM
I agree the curriculum now is way more advanced than when I was in K! But that does not bother me at all. Disclaimer: I do not have a lot of experience with childhood education, so this is all coming from my own children's situations.
My oldest is in public Kindergarten now (not my firecracker) and is a gifted learner. She soaks up anything put in front of her very quickly and has always had a thirst for learning anything new. The class she is in is a mix of Kindergarten and 1st, of all different academic levels. There are 2 of these types of classes in her school, and it fits her perfect. She works on mostly 1st grade work, and even a little beyond. Relating to another thread, they do have weekly spelling tests, including Kindergarten students as well. She is thriving, and I absolutely adore the teaching style and teacher. She will be in this same class next year too. I do know they have a lot of creative play as well, and a lot of that is incorporated into the academics. As long as she has a thirst for knowledge, I have no problems letting her advance as fast as she wants to. I actually have been looking into an online curriculum called K12 to see if there are any supplemental lessons she would be interested in to do at home. She seriously has a love for learning/reading/drawing/creating and I want to foster that any way I can.
I do not know how the other Kindergarten classes operate academically in the school, as the one she is in is somewhat different than the others. I am not sending Gavin (my firecracker) to Kindergarten next year. He will be 5, but I want one more good solid year Montessori before he goes. He does not seek out learning like his sister does, so I am content with letting him wait. In my opinion, as long as the children are not getting stressed out or too frustrated, I do not mind introducing academics so early. Since my kids have gone to Montessori, they go at their own pace. It will be interesting to see when he does go to Kindergarten how it will all play out, because he will probably be in a traditional class (as opposed to the multi-age my daughter is in) and is an average learner.
I also have no problems with them playing on the computer. They are only allowed educational websites anyway, and it's neat to see them get excited about something they have created or figured out.
i'm hearing such mixed things. on the one hand, people in my area are like "They're expecting them to read by k!!" and on the other hand, the preschool teachers were like "they just need to recognize their letters." ???? i agree with juni that socialization and play are probably more important right now than formal academic skills. i also agree with melissa that they are in their critical period of brain development while in elementary school, and now is the time to connect up those neurons. i pretty much fall where jill falls on this. if the kids are stressed, then this is not good. teachers should be aware and accomodate accordingly. but there are a lot of kids who are up for, and ready for the challenge, and for those kids, i think it's great that the opportunities are there.
i dont think socializing/play precludes academic learning. i think they're learning a lot of skills simultaneously. i'm not heavy on activities bc i like R to spend family time at home, and i think it's CRITICAL that she figures out how to have unstructured fun, and figure out stuff on her own. i dunno where i stand i guess. sort of in between. i dont think formal learning should be stressful, or else they'll hate it, and that would be the worst kindergarten outcome.
Jen, I agree with you. If a child enjoys it and shows that they have the ability to do it, that is great and by all means, they should be given the chance to pursue that. But I absolutely feel that expectations are too high now. I agree that I think a love of learning as well as learning how to interact socially should be emphasized at this age much more so than the academics of things. Not that they should be playing all day long (though learning occurs during play)-they should be exposed to a wide variety of things at a young age-but the curriculums now seem just far too busy and advanced to me.
I selected the preschool I did for my children because they emphasize social aspects of development. They want to instill the love of learning into the children they teach, and they are some of the warmest people I have met. I absolutely love it there, and every parent whom I have talked with has told me their children were more than prepared, both academically and socially, going into K. I wish I could keep my kids there forever.
I also feel that their early exposure is influenced a lot by their parents and their upbringing. And I also don't think when a kid learns to read and/or write really matters all that much-I didn't learn to read particularly early, as far as I know, but I went on to read at a 12th grade level in elementary school. My mom read to us all.the.time. I think that, as well as the other types of activities she did with us, laid the foundation as much, if not more, for our academic success.
Melissa, I see your point, but I absolutely disagree that a child's early education selection is more important than their high school education.
Anyway, my point is that I think we have gotten carried away. Not that we are living within a climate that makes changing that a possibility anymore, but it saddens me.
Jen, I agree with you. If a child enjoys it and shows that they have the ability to do it, that is great and by all means, they should be given the chance to pursue that. But I absolutely feel that expectations are too high now. I agree that I think a love of learning as well as learning how to interact socially should be emphasized at this age much more so than the academics of things. Not that they should be playing all day long (though learning occurs during play)-they should be exposed to a wide variety of things at a young age-but the curriculums now seem just far too busy and advanced to me.
I selected the preschool I did for my children because they emphasize social aspects of development. They want to instill the love of learning into the children they teach, and they are some of the warmest people I have met. I absolutely love it there, and every parent whom I have talked with has told me their children were more than prepared, both academically and socially, going into K. I wish I could keep my kids there forever.
I also feel that their early exposure is influenced a lot by their parents and their upbringing. And I also don't think when a kid learns to read and/or write really matters all that much-I didn't learn to read particularly early, as far as I know, but I went on to read at a 12th grade level in elementary school. My mom read to us all.the.time. I think that, as well as the other types of activities she did with us, laid the foundation as much, if not more, for our academic success.
Melissa, I see your point, but I absolutely disagree that a child's early education selection is more important than their high school education.
Anyway, my point is that I think we have gotten carried away. Not that we are living within a climate that makes changing that a possibility anymore, but it saddens me.
ITA. I just think it is too stressful too early on and that impedes their love for learning. My SIL made a comment too like they expected kids to be reading when they went into kindergarten and I told her that is definitely an advanced skill for a kindergartener! Kids do not *need* to know how to read when they are starting kindergarten! Though I have seen some that do and that is great.
It just seems like it becomes so much stress for parents and children when it should be such a fun time of learning and growing.
Jen, I agree with you. If a child enjoys it and shows that they have the ability to do it, that is great and by all means, they should be given the chance to pursue that. But I absolutely feel that expectations are too high now. I agree that I think a love of learning as well as learning how to interact socially should be emphasized at this age much more so than the academics of things. Not that they should be playing all day long (though learning occurs during play)-they should be exposed to a wide variety of things at a young age-but the curriculums now seem just far too busy and advanced to me.
I selected the preschool I did for my children because they emphasize social aspects of development. They want to instill the love of learning into the children they teach, and they are some of the warmest people I have met. I absolutely love it there, and every parent whom I have talked with has told me their children were more than prepared, both academically and socially, going into K. I wish I could keep my kids there forever.
I also feel that their early exposure is influenced a lot by their parents and their upbringing. And I also don't think when a kid learns to read and/or write really matters all that much-I didn't learn to read particularly early, as far as I know, but I went on to read at a 12th grade level in elementary school. My mom read to us all.the.time. I think that, as well as the other types of activities she did with us, laid the foundation as much, if not more, for our academic success.
Melissa, I see your point, but I absolutely disagree that a child's early education selection is more important than their high school education.
Anyway, my point is that I think we have gotten carried away. Not that we are living within a climate that makes changing that a possibility anymore, but it saddens me.
ITA. I just think it is too stressful too early on and that impedes their love for learning. My SIL made a comment too like they expected kids to be reading when they went into kindergarten and I told her that is definitely an advanced skill for a kindergartener! Kids do not *need* to know how to read when they are starting kindergarten! Though I have seen some that do and that is great.
It just seems like it becomes so much stress for parents and children when it should be such a fun time of learning and growing.
i never understood the reading thing. in R, i see a lot of skills that arent there yet, and a lot of skills that are way ahead. reading has totally come naturally, just like other kids are natural leaders, or can totally color in the lines, and some can ride a bike. i dont get how you can really "make" your kids do any of this stuff by a certain time.
I kind of see the emphasis on academics early as a catch-22. I don't think sitting and doing workbooks is better than creative play-based learning, but somehow we have gotten the idea that it is :dunno
(I came to this conclusion after Andrew was in kindergarden and have would have hours of homework a night!!!) I really thought this was insane.
When I was in kg, we played the whole time....there was no "workbooks,", etc. I did not learn to read until I was 7, which I think was normal at that time (although I think it was also on the edge of normal). I went on to be a top reader in my class and by the 5th grade, tested in the 99th percentile.
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-- Edited by Lizzy on Friday 29th of January 2010 03:40:17 PM
See this is why I feel where you select for preschool and elementary schooling is more important. You are laying your basis for loving to learn. It should not be stressful and not sure why people think that learning has to be. If a child is having issues or struggling to keep up there are so many ways to learn. I think we as parents have to find the best fit for our child to allow them to flourish. There are three different kids of learners out there. You need to find out what your child fits into.
It really is more stress on the parent then the child. Most children do not even realize that they are learning.
I can only use Allison as an example. They do geography, math, language, etc. Does it sound crazy and a lot for preschool, sure, to those who do not know the program and see how it works. When you are in a Montessori setting you have kids working at all different levels. This is what is so great about the learning process. If put in the correct environment there are no limits. It is not a room where you have a teacher giving instructions and each child follows. The children are basically the teachers. Actually in Allie's program the whole entire afternoon is play. Play is very critical in the learning process.
A good or bad teacher can really make the difference here. That is why I feel teachers are so important in this world.
Also, reflecting on the HS statement. Those teachers are so important and it is on a completely different level then lower school education. I do not mean to say HS teachers are not important and not teaching. I just feel that when you look at how the brain develops and follow brain based teaching then you would see when things are most important to be introduced.
I kind of see the emphasis on academics early as a catch-22. I don't think sitting and doing workbooks is better than creative play-based learning, but somehow we have gotten the idea that it is :dunno
(I came to this conclusion after Andrew was in kindergarden and have would have hours of homework a night!!!) I really thought this was insane.
When I was in kg, we played the whole time....there was no "workbooks,", etc. I did not learn to read until I was 7, which I think was normal at that time (although I think it was also on the edge of normal). I went on to be a top reader in my class and by the 5th grade, tested in the 99th percentile.
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-- Edited by Lizzy on Friday 29th of January 2010 03:40:17 PM
learning at this age is not about sitting and doing workbooks. It is all how the information is presented to the child. I do not think most schools these days think that way.
Honestly, I have never heard of having that much homework in Kdg. I guess that again this is where the type of program you are in makes the difference.
I can tell you it is very hard for schools these days. Parents want the events and all the bells and whistles. So, on one end everyone is saying they do not want heavy academics, but that is not what is being said by the parents out there. A lot of this little stuff we are talking about is a school trying to cater to a parent and sometimes the learning process suffers because of this.
Hannah is in kindergarten this year and adores it. When I talked about spelling tests in my other thread I probably should have put a little more info in there, what they are doing is readying them for what will be weekly spelling tests in first grade. They just had their first test yesterday, they didn't do them the first half of the year. The words are all sight words which means they see them every day on flash cards, in books the teacher reads to them, in songs they sing, in their early morning assignments, and in take home books that they have. For Hannah's first test she had the words- I - see - and the and then the phonograms Oo, Cc, and Gg. She got 100%. I think more then anything it's to prepare them that 1st grade will definitely be different. Hannah can spell those words in her sleep. She goes around picking out sight words all day long LOL!
As for activities, i've volunteered in Hannah's class on a number of occassions and it's so much fun. They do lot's of crafts and experimenting and the learning is all mixed in so it's like they are learning tons but don't necessarily know it if that makes sense. Hannah has very little homework, there are backpacks that have different lessons in them that come home with her sometimes and we work on those as a family, and there have been numerous really fun craft projects that come home, for Thanksgiving we decorated a turkey cutout with beads, stickers, feathers, etc, and did the same for Christmas with a Christmas tree cutout. Just last week they celebrated the 100th day of school and we counted out 100 items for 100 day trail mix and glued 100 items of Hannah's choice to a poster, she counted them all out and we glued them on. When they were doing the letter I the word was infant and they took in baby pictures of themselves and did lots of fun activities which included making a sand baby! It was a sand body and they put the arms and legs on and made a face, Hannah went around pointing out infants for days. They just finished character counts week where the focus was all on character and it's different aspects. In the spring they will go to our YMCA for swim lessons. She has PE twice a week, art class once (I think it's only once) computer class, and I think one other? They had a field trip to a farm in the fall. I really feel it's super well rounded education but it's not overwhelming.
As far as I can tell Hannah is not stressed in any way, she LOVES going to school and is very sad when she can't go, as much as we've been sick this winter she has missed a few days and by the middle of the day is begging to go. My thoughts are whatever is offered Hannah can try she really is like a sponge right now picking up SO much new stuff. It's really amazing to see. So I guess my thoughts on activities are the more the merrier as long as it's not stressing her out and impeding her learning. I could definitely see how children could get overwhelmed if a good balance isn't achieved.
-- Edited by Picture-Perfect on Saturday 30th of January 2010 08:25:06 AM
Hannah is in kindergarten this year and adores it. When I talked about spelling tests in my other thread I probably should have put a little more info in there, what they are doing is readying them for what will be weekly spelling tests in first grade. They just had their first test yesterday, they didn't do them the first half of the year. The words are all sight words which means they see them every day on flash cards, in books the teacher reads to them, in songs they sing, in their early morning assignments, and in take home books that they have. For Hannah's first test she had the words- I - see - and the and then the phonograms Oo, Cc, and Gg. She got 100%. I think more then anything it's to prepare them that 1st grade will definitely be different. Hannah can spell those words in her sleep. She goes around picking out sight words all day long LOL!
As for activities, i've volunteered in Hannah's class on a number of occassions and it's so much fun. They do lot's of crafts and experimenting and the learning is all mixed in so it's like they are learning tons but don't necessarily know it if that makes sense. Hannah has very little homework, there are backpacks that have different lessons in them that come home with her sometimes and we work on those as a family, and there have been numerous really fun craft projects that come home, for Thanksgiving we decorated a turkey cutout with beads, stickers, feathers, etc, and did the same for Christmas with a Christmas tree cutout. Just last week they celebrated the 100th day of school and we counted out 100 items for 100 day trail mix and glued 100 items of Hannah's choice to a poster, she counted them all out and we glued them on. When they were doing the letter I the word was infant and they took in baby pictures of themselves and did lots of fun activities which included making a sand baby! It was a sand body and they put the arms and legs on and made a face, Hannah went around pointing out infants for days. They just finished character counts week where the focus was all on character and it's different aspects. In the spring they will go to our YMCA for swim lessons. She has PE twice a week, art class once (I think it's only once) computer class, and I think one other? They had a field trip to a farm in the fall. I really feel it's super well rounded education but it's not overwhelming.
As far as I can tell Hannah is not stressed in any way, she LOVES going to school and is very sad when she can't go, as much as we've been sick this winter she has missed a few days and by the middle of the day is begging to go. My thoughts are whatever is offered Hannah can try she really is like a sponge right now picking up SO much new stuff. It's really amazing to see. So I guess my thoughts on activities are the more the merrier as long as it's not stressing her out and impeding her learning. I could definitely see how children could get overwhelmed if a good balance isn't achieved.
-- Edited by Picture-Perfect on Saturday 30th of January 2010 08:25:06 AM
I think that's great. And I also wanted to tell you your previous post didn't prompt me to write this. :D I have just heard from some posts on here but mostly IRL about people being so big on them reading before going INTO kindergarten and I was baffled.
Hannah is in kindergarten this year and adores it. When I talked about spelling tests in my other thread I probably should have put a little more info in there, what they are doing is readying them for what will be weekly spelling tests in first grade. They just had their first test yesterday, they didn't do them the first half of the year. The words are all sight words which means they see them every day on flash cards, in books the teacher reads to them, in songs they sing, in their early morning assignments, and in take home books that they have. For Hannah's first test she had the words- I - see - and the and then the phonograms Oo, Cc, and Gg. She got 100%. I think more then anything it's to prepare them that 1st grade will definitely be different. Hannah can spell those words in her sleep. She goes around picking out sight words all day long LOL!
As for activities, i've volunteered in Hannah's class on a number of occassions and it's so much fun. They do lot's of crafts and experimenting and the learning is all mixed in so it's like they are learning tons but don't necessarily know it if that makes sense. Hannah has very little homework, there are backpacks that have different lessons in them that come home with her sometimes and we work on those as a family, and there have been numerous really fun craft projects that come home, for Thanksgiving we decorated a turkey cutout with beads, stickers, feathers, etc, and did the same for Christmas with a Christmas tree cutout. Just last week they celebrated the 100th day of school and we counted out 100 items for 100 day trail mix and glued 100 items of Hannah's choice to a poster, she counted them all out and we glued them on. When they were doing the letter I the word was infant and they took in baby pictures of themselves and did lots of fun activities which included making a sand baby! It was a sand body and they put the arms and legs on and made a face, Hannah went around pointing out infants for days. They just finished character counts week where the focus was all on character and it's different aspects. In the spring they will go to our YMCA for swim lessons. She has PE twice a week, art class once (I think it's only once) computer class, and I think one other? They had a field trip to a farm in the fall. I really feel it's super well rounded education but it's not overwhelming.
As far as I can tell Hannah is not stressed in any way, she LOVES going to school and is very sad when she can't go, as much as we've been sick this winter she has missed a few days and by the middle of the day is begging to go. My thoughts are whatever is offered Hannah can try she really is like a sponge right now picking up SO much new stuff. It's really amazing to see. So I guess my thoughts on activities are the more the merrier as long as it's not stressing her out and impeding her learning. I could definitely see how children could get overwhelmed if a good balance isn't achieved.
-- Edited by Picture-Perfect on Saturday 30th of January 2010 08:25:06 AM
I think that's great. And I also wanted to tell you your previous post didn't prompt me to write this. :D I have just heard from some posts on here but mostly IRL about people being so big on them reading before going INTO kindergarten and I was baffled.
It really sounds like her kindergarten is great!
at R's school conference, they told me that they're working on matching uppercase to lowercase letters, and letter sounds at this point. they said some kids are reading, and they just do this on their own, and sometimes will ask a teacher to come listen to a book, or for help on some words. then they said that other kids are just starting to figure out the letter sounds. it really didnt sound like reading was expected for K (though plenty of the moms around here are on and on about reading requirements for K).
my friend's mom is a K teacher in our district and she said they arent expected to be reading when they get there.
i wonder when they start breaking kids up into reading groups. i remember doing this in 1st grade - i wonder how it is now...
Hannah is in kindergarten this year and adores it. When I talked about spelling tests in my other thread I probably should have put a little more info in there, what they are doing is readying them for what will be weekly spelling tests in first grade. They just had their first test yesterday, they didn't do them the first half of the year. The words are all sight words which means they see them every day on flash cards, in books the teacher reads to them, in songs they sing, in their early morning assignments, and in take home books that they have. For Hannah's first test she had the words- I - see - and the and then the phonograms Oo, Cc, and Gg. She got 100%. I think more then anything it's to prepare them that 1st grade will definitely be different. Hannah can spell those words in her sleep. She goes around picking out sight words all day long LOL!
As for activities, i've volunteered in Hannah's class on a number of occassions and it's so much fun. They do lot's of crafts and experimenting and the learning is all mixed in so it's like they are learning tons but don't necessarily know it if that makes sense. Hannah has very little homework, there are backpacks that have different lessons in them that come home with her sometimes and we work on those as a family, and there have been numerous really fun craft projects that come home, for Thanksgiving we decorated a turkey cutout with beads, stickers, feathers, etc, and did the same for Christmas with a Christmas tree cutout. Just last week they celebrated the 100th day of school and we counted out 100 items for 100 day trail mix and glued 100 items of Hannah's choice to a poster, she counted them all out and we glued them on. When they were doing the letter I the word was infant and they took in baby pictures of themselves and did lots of fun activities which included making a sand baby! It was a sand body and they put the arms and legs on and made a face, Hannah went around pointing out infants for days. They just finished character counts week where the focus was all on character and it's different aspects. In the spring they will go to our YMCA for swim lessons. She has PE twice a week, art class once (I think it's only once) computer class, and I think one other? They had a field trip to a farm in the fall. I really feel it's super well rounded education but it's not overwhelming.
As far as I can tell Hannah is not stressed in any way, she LOVES going to school and is very sad when she can't go, as much as we've been sick this winter she has missed a few days and by the middle of the day is begging to go. My thoughts are whatever is offered Hannah can try she really is like a sponge right now picking up SO much new stuff. It's really amazing to see. So I guess my thoughts on activities are the more the merrier as long as it's not stressing her out and impeding her learning. I could definitely see how children could get overwhelmed if a good balance isn't achieved.
-- Edited by Picture-Perfect on Saturday 30th of January 2010 08:25:06 AM
I think that's great. And I also wanted to tell you your previous post didn't prompt me to write this. :D I have just heard from some posts on here but mostly IRL about people being so big on them reading before going INTO kindergarten and I was baffled.
It really sounds like her kindergarten is great!
at R's school conference, they told me that they're working on matching uppercase to lowercase letters, and letter sounds at this point. they said some kids are reading, and they just do this on their own, and sometimes will ask a teacher to come listen to a book, or for help on some words. then they said that other kids are just starting to figure out the letter sounds. it really didnt sound like reading was expected for K (though plenty of the moms around here are on and on about reading requirements for K).
my friend's mom is a K teacher in our district and she said they arent expected to be reading when they get there.
i wonder when they start breaking kids up into reading groups. i remember doing this in 1st grade - i wonder how it is now...
Honestly, I think parents are a big part of the problem. They want their kids to be so much more advanced than they need to be and then another parent hears what one kid is doing and they get worried and get their kid to "catch up" and the cycle continues. Along with that it is then brought into the school and of course you always have *some* schools where it really is just more advanced learning with their curriculum.
It is good to hear from a teacher what their expectations are. I really do think parents are pushing kids and raising expectations. Not that that is always a bad thing but I just feel like it's sort of getting out of hand in the sense that kids have so little time devoted to play and creativity. Not necessarily the kids on this board but just in general. It goes into that whole totally scheduled out life too -- school, after school program to further them academically even though they are already where they need to be, followed by piano lessons or soccer or t-ball or a million other things. Then at home it's video games, TV, computer, etc. This is totally a generalization and not something I see around this board but I guess I'm throwing a bunch of vents all into one thread. Sorry!
Hannah is in kindergarten this year and adores it. When I talked about spelling tests in my other thread I probably should have put a little more info in there, what they are doing is readying them for what will be weekly spelling tests in first grade. They just had their first test yesterday, they didn't do them the first half of the year. The words are all sight words which means they see them every day on flash cards, in books the teacher reads to them, in songs they sing, in their early morning assignments, and in take home books that they have. For Hannah's first test she had the words- I - see - and the and then the phonograms Oo, Cc, and Gg. She got 100%. I think more then anything it's to prepare them that 1st grade will definitely be different. Hannah can spell those words in her sleep. She goes around picking out sight words all day long LOL!
As for activities, i've volunteered in Hannah's class on a number of occassions and it's so much fun. They do lot's of crafts and experimenting and the learning is all mixed in so it's like they are learning tons but don't necessarily know it if that makes sense. Hannah has very little homework, there are backpacks that have different lessons in them that come home with her sometimes and we work on those as a family, and there have been numerous really fun craft projects that come home, for Thanksgiving we decorated a turkey cutout with beads, stickers, feathers, etc, and did the same for Christmas with a Christmas tree cutout. Just last week they celebrated the 100th day of school and we counted out 100 items for 100 day trail mix and glued 100 items of Hannah's choice to a poster, she counted them all out and we glued them on. When they were doing the letter I the word was infant and they took in baby pictures of themselves and did lots of fun activities which included making a sand baby! It was a sand body and they put the arms and legs on and made a face, Hannah went around pointing out infants for days. They just finished character counts week where the focus was all on character and it's different aspects. In the spring they will go to our YMCA for swim lessons. She has PE twice a week, art class once (I think it's only once) computer class, and I think one other? They had a field trip to a farm in the fall. I really feel it's super well rounded education but it's not overwhelming.
As far as I can tell Hannah is not stressed in any way, she LOVES going to school and is very sad when she can't go, as much as we've been sick this winter she has missed a few days and by the middle of the day is begging to go. My thoughts are whatever is offered Hannah can try she really is like a sponge right now picking up SO much new stuff. It's really amazing to see. So I guess my thoughts on activities are the more the merrier as long as it's not stressing her out and impeding her learning. I could definitely see how children could get overwhelmed if a good balance isn't achieved.
-- Edited by Picture-Perfect on Saturday 30th of January 2010 08:25:06 AM
I think that's great. And I also wanted to tell you your previous post didn't prompt me to write this. :D I have just heard from some posts on here but mostly IRL about people being so big on them reading before going INTO kindergarten and I was baffled.
It really sounds like her kindergarten is great!
at R's school conference, they told me that they're working on matching uppercase to lowercase letters, and letter sounds at this point. they said some kids are reading, and they just do this on their own, and sometimes will ask a teacher to come listen to a book, or for help on some words. then they said that other kids are just starting to figure out the letter sounds. it really didnt sound like reading was expected for K (though plenty of the moms around here are on and on about reading requirements for K).
my friend's mom is a K teacher in our district and she said they arent expected to be reading when they get there.
i wonder when they start breaking kids up into reading groups. i remember doing this in 1st grade - i wonder how it is now...
Honestly, I think parents are a big part of the problem. They want their kids to be so much more advanced than they need to be and then another parent hears what one kid is doing and they get worried and get their kid to "catch up" and the cycle continues. Along with that it is then brought into the school and of course you always have *some* schools where it really is just more advanced learning with their curriculum.
It is good to hear from a teacher what their expectations are. I really do think parents are pushing kids and raising expectations. Not that that is always a bad thing but I just feel like it's sort of getting out of hand in the sense that kids have so little time devoted to play and creativity. Not necessarily the kids on this board but just in general. It goes into that whole totally scheduled out life too -- school, after school program to further them academically even though they are already where they need to be, followed by piano lessons or soccer or t-ball or a million other things. Then at home it's video games, TV, computer, etc. This is totally a generalization and not something I see around this board but I guess I'm throwing a bunch of vents all into one thread. Sorry!
ita, and where i live, it's OUT OF CONTROL.
on playdates, these kids are totally hitting the wall. they're exhausted and dont know how to just hang out. then after the playdate, they're off to swimming. i dont know how they're doing it. my kids have NOTHING going on in their lives compared to some of these kids. they just like, play dollhouse alllll day. we do yoga and are starting gymnastics with R (more for motor confidence than anything else) - but i've even cut down on playdates lately - the girls are just so happy playing together and i know you dont get this time back!!
Jenn, I totally agree with ya on the parent thing. Parents want to be in control and it hinders the child and teacher. I also agree on the scheduled child. I find it is more for the parents then it is for the child. The child could care less at this age.
