It's not uncommon to have questions and feel anxious about the start of Kindergarten.
Please feel free to check out the information and resources below to learn more about Full-Day Kindergarten.
What we Believe
The amount of time spent in school positively impacts the achievement and development of students in Kindergarten.
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"Vygotsky believed that mental functions are acquired through social relationships in which adults scaffold for children when necessary, stepping back at the appropriate time and allowing youngsters to internalize activities, emulate behaviors, and incorporate them into existing structures of knowledge. Providing opportunities for this type of process learning requires large blocks of time for exploration, and a variety of experiences and materials. This is not always possible in the constraints of a half-day program.” (Morrow, Strickland, & Woo, 1998, P.11) |
Why is Full-Day Kindergarten important?
While kindergarten has been delivered primarily as a half-day program since the Great Depression of the 1930s, fundamental changes in American society and education over the past 20 years support a greater emphasis on full-day kindergarten. Today, full-day kindergarten offers several potential benefits. It provides continuity for children accustomed to full-day experiences outside of the home, provides continuity with schedules in 1st grade and beyond, reduces the number of disruptions and transitions children experience in a typical day, and allows teachers more time for both formal and informal instruction that provide meaningful learning opportunities. It also provides an important opportunity to align the policies and practices of the grades that follow kindergarten with those of the early learning programs that typically come before.
Furthermore, results of empirical research on the effects of full- versus half-day kindergarten are encouraging. Studies not only show full-day programs have no detrimental effects on children who attend, but students show significantly stronger academic gains over the course of the kindergarten year than their counterparts in half-day programs."
(http://fcd-us.org/sites/default/files/FullDayKindergarten.pdf)
Did you know that Kindergarten was originally developed as a full-day program?
It's true! The Great Depression of the 1930s resulted in many budget cuts and Kindergarten programs were the first to get cut or reduced to half-day programs. It was more economical for schools to switch to a half-day program. When the United States entered WWII in the 1940s, schools continued to cut Kindergarten to half-day programs. This freed up more laborers, primarily women, and helped keep costs down. In the years that followed WWII, the impact of the baby-boom was felt greatly in schools. The large number of Kindergartners enrolling encouraged schools to keep their half-day programs- 50 students could be taught by one teacher instead of needing to hire two teachers.
My child doesn't know all their letters and sounds! They can't read or write yet! Does that mean they aren't ready for Kindergarten??
First, take a deep breath. As lovely as it would be for all children to enter Kindergarten knowing all their letters, letter sounds, counting to 100, reading, writing or doing a variety of other academic tasks, it's not a requirement and it's certainly not a reason to hold a child back from school if they don't. Your child won't be "behind" in their learning if they don't already know all these things and it doesn't necessarily mean that they are "ahead" if they do! Kindergarten is a year that focuses on the growth of the WHOLE child, not just their academics. Children enter Kindergarten with a wide range of experiences and academic backgrounds and we spend the whole year helping each child to grow and meet their own goals- both academic and social/emotional.
Are there things that we would love to see children come to Kindergarten already knowing? Absolutely! If your child has some of the basics below in place that is wonderful! If they don't-- they are great things to begin to practice over the summer. In general some of the basics include:
The article linked below also nicely states/further explains some of the readiness skills that most Kindergarten teachers look for. (Enthusiasm Toward Learning; Solid Oral-Language Skills; The Ability to Listen; The Desire to Be Independent; The Ability to Play Well with Others; Strong Fine-Motor Skills; Basic Letter and Number Recognition).
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/what-to-expect-grade/ready-kindergarten
Are there things that we would love to see children come to Kindergarten already knowing? Absolutely! If your child has some of the basics below in place that is wonderful! If they don't-- they are great things to begin to practice over the summer. In general some of the basics include:
- Experience with reading- being read to, listening to stories, spending time looking at picture books, etc.
- Recognizing their written name.
- The ability to recognize the letters in their name (and/or recognize 10 or more capital/lowercase letters).
- The ability to at least partially write their name.
- The ability to count orally to 20.
- The ability to appropriately hold and use materials such as pencils, crayons, markers and scissors. (Fine motor skills).
- The ability to sit for short periods of time to listen to, and engage in, stories and other learning activities.
- The ability to follow simple 2-3 step directions.
- Experiences playing with peers their own age.
The article linked below also nicely states/further explains some of the readiness skills that most Kindergarten teachers look for. (Enthusiasm Toward Learning; Solid Oral-Language Skills; The Ability to Listen; The Desire to Be Independent; The Ability to Play Well with Others; Strong Fine-Motor Skills; Basic Letter and Number Recognition).
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/what-to-expect-grade/ready-kindergarten
Is my child ready to start Kindergarten?
Every child is different so answering that question isn't always straight-forward. Many families worry if their child is ready for school, especially if their child is on the young side. The not-so-simple answer is that you know your child best. Teachers and research can help inform your decisions, but ultimately it comes down to what you and your family believe to be best for your child. What is best for children is always the driving force to the choices we make at Birch, and we want to support you in making those choices if help is needed.
If you are debating about if your child is ready for Kindergarten the articles below may be helpful. Again, every child is different and the information below is simply a resource, not necessarily our opinions or beliefs at Birch. :)
If you are debating about if your child is ready for Kindergarten the articles below may be helpful. Again, every child is different and the information below is simply a resource, not necessarily our opinions or beliefs at Birch. :)
- https://ed.stanford.edu/news/stanford-gse-research-finds-strong-evidence-mental-health-benefits-delaying-kindergarten
- This article highlights some of the most recent research out of Stanford about the benefits of self-regulation as a result of waiting a year to start Kindergarten.
- http://www.parents.com/kids/education/kindergarten/kindergarten-age/
- This article mentions the important topic of "less play" in Kindergarten. While this is true in many Kindergarten classrooms across the country (especially half-day programs), Birch Kindergarten strongly believes in the importance of play and in creating a playful, creative learning environment where problem solving is encouraged. Our kids learn a lot, work hard, AND still play.
- http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/redshirting-kindergarten/
Information about Colorado/Boulder Valley School District's move to Full-Day K: link to BVSD website
BVSD Full Day Kindergarten Q&A
BVSD Full Day Kindergarten Q&A