Get Schooled

By c

August 25, 2005 03:01 PM | Link to this

My child appears to be enjoying herself at “school” as well as learning something along the way. I purposely didn’t put her into the “ABEKA” program but didn’t hold her out til next year, which some parents do. She’s always been in daycare at this same school and can recognize her name and relatives’ names, letters, numbers, count, etc. This center stressed that this was mostly about having fun while getting used to the idea of sitting in one place and not talking when the teacher is talking. I think it’s just right. At least at my school.

By Jake

August 25, 2005 03:26 PM | Link to this

I paid $100 a week nine years ago to send my daughter to pre-K and I didn’t worry about ‘fun’ to ‘academic preparedness’ ratios. The place was clean, they took some nice field trips, and my daughter liked it! Now it’s free, and still optional. What’s the beef?

By AF

August 25, 2005 03:39 PM | Link to this

If it’s a private pre-k, the curriculum can get pretty intense. The state-funded pre-k is more about readiness for school routines and basics. I have a friend who pulled her child out of a free state pre-k spot to put him into a private pre-k. She wants him reading by the time he starts kindergarten, which seems a little over-the-top to me. I did state pre-k with mine, and he is now in second grade and right on grade level.

By Itbeme

August 25, 2005 04:27 PM | Link to this

I think we all need to step back and take a breath. Patti said it correctly…K is now the new first grade. We have lost site of the fact that we only have one childhood. We have 3/4 of our life to work. Have some fun.

Having said that, I have no problem with a little teaching and learning while having fun. I just do not buy the arguement that if your 3 year old does not learn to read and write by the age of 5 that the youngster will forever be doomed.

I also think we have forgotten that education starts and ends at home. It is not my fault that 60% of children are born to unwed mothers. Hint, get married and then have sex.

Just lighten up people. Let your kids play. They have the rest of their lives to learn.

By Peter R

August 25, 2005 04:37 PM | Link to this

My child just turned three. He gets “bad” reports all the time from his daycare. So for the last month I sat and observed at least two hours every day.

I make no excuses….my child is active. BUT HE IS ALSO THREE. Give me a break. We are expecting 3 and 4 year olds to act like 6 and 7 year olds. Ain’t going to happen.

Many children are going to preK to be socialized….because mom and dad are not doing it at home.

I agree with the above, lighten up, let the kids play, and slip in a little 123/abc on them now and again.

By Danielle

August 25, 2005 05:00 PM | Link to this

I will say that the good thing about Pre-K is the teacher has to be certified. I wouldn’t put my kids in any program because I am a teacher but took time off to be with them while they were young. Pre-K is good for kids who NEED exposure to routine and READING and the school enviornment. I am back at work now. If you were to enter the educational environment, you would be surprised at the amount of children who are NOT able to read or follow simple directions. The sad thing, many parents use Pre-K as a form of “free day care”. So, like any program, it’s good for some people yet not desirable for others. Personally, I didn’t want it, but I read to my children, and fully enjoyed being with them while they were young…I wanted that last year with them before K. Some parents are not able to stay home and put their kids in Pre-K or WANT their kids in the program for their own reason.

By Tam

August 25, 2005 05:17 PM | Link to this

I have different experiences with the pre k program. The first experience was with my oldest child (who is now in the 4th grade)he did very well in the program it was house in a daycare center. They did alot of work in his class…his was reading when he finished school. The second experience was my dtr ( presently in the 2nd grade) this program was housed in at a school and they played most of the day. The teacher was straight out of college and no experience with children. My dtr is a grade level but I feel she could have benefited more from a structure enivornment. I love the idea of the pre k program but it seems that each program is run differently depending on where the program is housed i.e daycare center, elementary school especially more affluent area. Now I have twins boys that are in the pre k program at a daycare center( neighborhood school only has one pre k that is high demand) that has the same concept has my dtr previous pre k program…Let’s have fun!! Well I hope they are on grade level, too.

By MamaS

August 25, 2005 05:27 PM | Link to this

Children entering kindergarten are tested before school starts or during the first three weeks. Based on their test scores, they may be put in remedial programs after the first six weeks of kindergarten. If you don’t want your child labeled, you had better “teach the test” — and make sure they know numbers to 20, shapes, colors, directions (up/down, in/out, over/under) their full name, address and phone number and sex. They should be able to print their first name and count up to five objects. Preschools know this and they focus on these areas. Fingerpainting is fun, but it is not on the test. The problem is the schools — kindergarteners still need a nap time, not more instructional time.

By Lynne

August 26, 2005 10:15 AM | Link to this

Isn’t Pre-K optional? If you don’t want your child to be in a “structured” environment, send him to regular daycare. I sent my son to Pre-K so he could be around other children and learn that everyone’s world did not revolve around him! Whether they taught him anything was extra, because I was doing that at home anyway!

By S.L.

August 26, 2005 10:38 AM | Link to this

My daughter went to private pre-K and my son is going to GA pre-K. I will say that the private pre-K taught a whole lot more, but did it in a fun way. My kid had fun while learning. The GA pre-K program, while having learning time, spends 2/3’s of the 6 1/2 hour day with snacks, lunch, outdoor time, rest time, transition time. Also many of the kids in the GA pre-K program have never been to school and need the socialization.
I dont think they are going overboard.

Kindergarden is VERY tough here in GA.

The best of all worlds is to make learning part of playtime.

I fully agree that most of the responsibility falls on the parents. The more involved a parent is, I believe the more sucessful a child will be.

By A Parent

August 26, 2005 11:09 AM | Link to this

My daughter never attended any pre-k program, and she is very smart becasue I taught her at home. I wanted her to know all her letters be able to write them and then be able to count up to at least 30 and spell her first and last name. These things I think are very important to know. Her teachers all talk about how smart she is and how pleased they are to have her in their class. My daughter is very bright and I’m not going to depend on a teacher or anyone else to teach her any of these things. She has been learning how to read for about a month now and is really picking it up. I am proud of her and the job that I do with her. I appreciate everything her teachers are doing but regardless my daughrer will know what she needs to know in life and work. She will excel as a student and as a person. I want her to have fun but I want her to learn. I went to school in New York and I think that their school system is great. I nephew is in it and the things that he’s learning amazes me. In kindergarten by this time he was already able to spot words and improve his vocabulary, I think that they should be teaching my daughter new words every week, so what I do is we study the word for a week, Once the week is up and I’m sure she’s learned it, it goes on her wall and then we start with the next week’s word on Monday. This is a great tool and she really learns from it. Anyway I think if you put your child in pre-k whether it be public or private look into to the school, you want your child to learn but you also want your child to have fun while they are young, so think about it.

By Shani

August 26, 2005 11:25 AM | Link to this

Itbeme- what does being un unwed parent have to do with what your child learns in pre-k? That was an off- the-cuff remark that had absolutely nothing to do with the rest of your statement. Education does begin and end at home, and I hope that you teach your children not to be as judgmental and stereotypical as you seem to be

By ann

August 26, 2005 11:58 AM | Link to this

I am a Kindergarten teacher in a private school setting and I believe that children should be in a Pre-k program or another program before entering Kindergarten. Socialization is very important at this age. The benefits of early exposure to other children in a social as well as a structured setting are very important. Children learn best through play and certainly academics can be taught in such a way that the child is learning the basics as well as social skills. A child who is not exposed to the early program is at a disadvantage in the beginning of Kindergarten.

By chris johnson

August 26, 2005 02:37 PM | Link to this

I am a Pre-K teacher that uses the Abeka program. It’s true that the program does stress academics. It is full of fun leaning games. It also keeps the children physically active during the math and phonics lessons.It teaches them how to sit and listen to the teacher. Some of the things taught in this program are Language Development, Art, Math, Phonics, Reading,Music and Drama. We also add Spanish, Chapel, and Science. It is a well rounded, fun way to teach children. Children come out of our Pre-K classes ready for Kindergarten, socially and academically. Children want to learn when they are having fun!

By Aiesha

August 29, 2005 10:39 AM | Link to this

Patti- I understand your concerns about the type of environment your child is in. However, that’s why you should check programs out before you place your child in them. If you have a problem, or think that program is “too structured”, then simply remove your child and place them into a program you think is more suitable to your childs development. Keeping in mind that once kindergarden begins, they give you a list of things your child is to know before enthering there kindergarden program. If you feel more comfortable teaching you child yourself, fine, it’s your choice. I’m particularly happy with the Pre-K program that my child is in, and the one my eldest son went to. My oldest son was properly prepared once he entered kindergarden and the same with first grade. But that was my choice.

In agreeing with Shani, I also think that “itbeme’s” comment about “unwed mothers and sex before marriage” was totally uncalled for in this topic. But yes, education does begin at home.

By Bobbie

August 29, 2005 11:02 AM | Link to this

Aiesha…..and why do you think that Itbeme’s commnent was off topic? We are talking about education. And if education begins at home, should we not focus on one of the most critical issues our children face in regards to education; and that is having children grow up in two parent homes.

Why do we think we even have preK programs. It’s not just about education, it’s about day care. Children that were once cared for and taught by their parents are now shipped off to be cared for by preK teachers. I think itbe me’s comment was right on target.

By Tes

August 29, 2005 12:22 PM | Link to this

My daughter is in kindergarden this year. The previous year she attended Pre-K. I was so pleased with the program. My child just turned 5yrs old on Aug 2nd. She can count up to 100. She is able to read and spell “sight” words. Do some simple addition. Just last night she told me she knew how to count backwards and she did starting at 10. I was very impressed with her Pre-K program but in addition to the things she was taught in class, I spent time with her at home as well. She did have homework in Pre-k, which she enjoyed and one project (which was art-work, basically). The only set back is now that she’s in Kindergarden they are going over things she already knows like colors. She knows her colors and can recognize and spell some of them. Then again, She’s a quick learner from my observation. She learned to fully tie her shoes at 2.(And I wasn’t trying to teach her how, she just watched) And was writing her name at 3. I would rather her be ahead than behind. Behavior wise, she’s an angel. Because again I teach that at home as well. She stayed in an in- home daycare from 6mos-4yrs.I purposely didn’t put her in a large center because I wanted more focus on discipline. Between her in-home daycare provider and myself she was taught discipline, and between the two of us, we laid the grown-work for proper behavior so when she’s in school, she would understand and respect authority. Being in Pre-K also prepared her for what to expect in Kindergarden. She loved getting the good marks…and so far, she receives good marks daily and has brought home twice since school started.. good behavior marks for hall behavior. It all starts at home and how we teach them to obey and respect authority. And it has to start early…before they even turn One. The Learning after that should be a breeze. I agree, children should be children. But if I was going to teach my child at home..instead of letting her go to Pre-K…what would be the difference. Socially, she’s well rounded, and again, making the transition into Kindergarden was a breeze. I’m all for the program.

By tes

August 29, 2005 12:39 PM | Link to this

oops..that’s ground-work.

By RF

August 29, 2005 12:49 PM | Link to this

Bobbie—I am a single parent of two straight A students who have done quite well in spite of the fact that I am single. They are loved, educated, and nurtured just as much as any child from a two-parent family. You should really get to know some single parents and compare notes before making such a blanket decision that children can’t succeed from single-parent homes. Give mine a test—they’ll perform as well as yours I’ll bet.

By Aiesha

August 31, 2005 01:26 PM | Link to this

Bobbie- Straight from Ga’s Bright star website:

“Georgia’s Pre-K Program was established in 1993 to provide Georgia’s four-year-old children with high-quality preschool experiences.

This unique program, funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education, is expected to serve about 70,000 children in the 2004-2005 school year. With this statewide pre-kindergarten program, Georgia reaches a higher proportion of four-year-old children than any other state in the nation.

The goal of every Georgia’s Pre-K classroom is to provide our four year olds with the learning experiences they need to prepare for kindergarten.”

This is why the Pre-K program began. Whether a child is in a single parent household or a two parent household, it shouldn’t matter. Yes, years ago, or even decades ago, some two parent families had one parent at work and the other at home. The parent at home would teach the children. But even in today’s society, many two-parent homes have both parents working, still having the need for daycare and or Pre-K programs. This program doesn’t just benefit single parents as a form of “daycare” as you say, it also benefits two parent families. But, as I stated before, yes education begins at home. It shouldn’t matter if that child is in a single parent, two-parent, or multi-parent household. As long as THAT parent is taking care of that child and ensuring that child is getting the proper education, thats what matters. Given Georgia’s requirements for children entering kindergarten, starting/providing a Pre-K program (that is going to help kids to learn) for children was an absolutely wonderful idea. But that is my opinion. If you’d rather your child not attend Pre-K that’s your prerogative.

There is two sides to everything. There are successful adults that have come from single parent homes, and two parent homes. There are also those adults that have not been successful, still coming from two parent or single parent environments. But that’s not what this discussion was about. This discussion was about playtime in Pre-K versus learning in Pre-K, and one parents opinion on that situation. Not single parents versus two parent household. That’s why I stated itbeme made a remark that was off topic.