Kindergarten Anxiety

Hi D.,

What a good mom you are!!
Do what you think is right for you and your son. You are obviously a loving, smart, capable woman. You will make a good decision that will bear good fruit resulting in peace for you and loving security that is felt by your son.
Besides, if you later decide that he would benefit from a full week, who says you can't adjust his schedule accordingly?

I don't think you are being selfish at all. Spending as much time as you can with your child is important. If they get the same curriculum why not do the half day? That gives you one more year before he does go full days........

I would really stess that you do consider sending him to full day kindergarten, especially if he has not been to pre-school(not sure). It is noticable to the first grade teacher what students have been in full day/half day(or week) kindergarten programs. In my experience, there is a difference in academic skill levels because in many full day programs there are academics taught in the PM as well. I understand what you are saying about missing him, I would just be concerned about what he might be missing only going part time. This is my personal opinion only, you know what is best for your son:)

I don't think you are being selfish at all! First of all I agree with some of the others, follow your heart. Secondly, my daughter was in full day K last year and I used to pick her up early at the end of the day. She wasn't missing anything but some extra free time. I actually spoke with her teacher about this and she said they are not allowed to teach curriculum all day even if it is full time because of the legalities. So basically what you said about the core curriculum is true, it's just up to the school district on how they implent their program. If it is a full time class they are only instituting more "play-time" not more acamdemics. Good Luck in whatever you decide is best for your family.

Hello D.,
I would spend as much time as possible with my 5 year old child. They are only young once, and NO it is not selfish to want to spend time with him. It is natural. He will benefit so much from the time that you spend with him. Give him as much time to be a child as possible!
I hope that this helps!
B.

HI,
First, Kindergarten is not mandatory in the state of Mi.,
so he does not have to go at all if you don't want him to.I don't think that's your intent, I just wanted you to know what the law states.
I think he will be fine attending 1/2 day, mom time at 5 will never come around again. Do what your heart tells you and he will be great.
Hope that helps.
L.

D.,

My advice is let him attend the full time kindergarten. If you don't, you might find he falls behind the children in the full time class, and then you'll feel terrible. The kindergarten curriculum has really changed since we were kids - there's a much higher expectation placed on our children before they can move onto 1st grade. I know it's hard to send your baby boy off to school, but this will give you more one-on-one time with your little girl, and that's going to be very special to her.

Good luck with whatever decision you make!

C.

D.,
I am having the same feelings. I am so not ready to send my daughter off for a full day everyday. I often hear the bus in the afternoon and think that I would be missing so much of her day. I also know that her sisters (3 & 1) are going to be lost without her.

Follow your heart. If you are willing to help him by reading to him/reviewing what he's learned, etc., he won't be behind the full-day students and you will have had time to ease into it a bit.

I'd love to hear what you decide.

Selfish? No. D., what you're feeling is 'Mom'. It's a big step for our little ones to start kindergarten. Why? Because the years before were just you and the baby. Now it's a milestone in your child's life. He's going to experience a new chapter, learning things, making friends, etc. This is the first step in life.
And you have to let him do it. You know what? You'll survive. I really would not recommend a half week program. Go with what the school offers. It's a transition for you both.
I'm the mom of 3 boys and it was always exciting when they were going to start this. There's not much to be nervous about. Look, I was in K for 1.5 years. Not because I was a flunkie, but because I started in January and at that time they wanted to discontinue having January (high school) graduates. My class was the first not to have them. And I'll tell you I never even NOTICED, HAD A CLUE, whatever that so much time had passed. It was a great time in K.
Let him go, smile through your tears, and realize your little boy won't be little forever. But your backing can turn him into a fine young man.

You absolutely ARE NOT being selfish!! All day, everyday is a lot for these little guys. They can only focus on "school learning" activities for small periods of time, because developmentally they don't have the attention span. The research shows that all day programs are most beneficial for children who have developmental or language delays, and/or come from home lives that are lower socio-economically and not supportive. (Does he attend a pre-school?? Depending on the type of pre-school they can help you assess your son's school readiness and if he might benefit from the extra time at school.) If you feel confident that your son is not a child that needs the extra help, definately keep him home for 1/2 the time. What is better for a child: 1 on 1 attention and supervision from a parent or 1 to 20+ attention and supervision from a non-relative. He is going to be in classrooms for the next 13 years being educated and influenced by teachers and each teachers job is to prepare your child for the next year of school. As parents our bigger job is to prepare our children for life. I can't think of a better foundation to give our children than time and attention in "our" classroom. Giving him a year where he is able to transition and get used to school while still giving him the stability of home is better in the long run. (I have 10 year old son and a 6 year old daughter and both of them could have used 1/2 day/everyday kindergarten. Our district has 2 full days and one 1/2 day for their kindergarten, and the full days were too much! They came home exhausted and would fall asleep before dinner. It took them till about Thanksgiving to build up their stamina for the 2 whole days.) I hope this helps!!

D.:

Do what your heart tells you. Mom's should always listen to their gut feelings. He will be in school for a long time. Send him to the 1/2 week program if that is what you and he want to do. Did you ask him what he thinks about it, he may help you make your decision.

Good Luck!

I think you are a total whack-job!

Just kidding - it's your friend L. :)
I think you are a normal mom with normal anxiety about your little guy growing up!
It seems like kindergarden is the new 1st grade - there is alot to learn. I think it is especially hard for you since you won't have your weekends with him..
L.

I work with the schools and I have seen the research that shows how much more a kindergartner can learn in an all day, every day setting. It really is amazing!! Kindergarten is more like first grade used to be, learning to read, etc. The new standards for education want the kids to be reading in kindergarten along with many other things.
Kindergarten teachers have many different volunteer needs and that is a way you could still connect with your child during the day, maybe one or two days a week at school.
Just imagine how far behind your child will be in first grade if almost all of the other children have had the advantage of an all day program and he only went 1/2 time. I wouldn't do that to a child if I had a choice.

The best piece of advice was given to me by my cousin and my former minster's wife.....follow your heart.

God Bless You.