Get Schooled

By SNY

August 28, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

I say let the kids sleep that want to and leave the others to do silent work, if possible, or read a book. If some kids still need a nap, don’t take that time away from them.

By SET

August 28, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

I agree with SNY. Is this subject a big deal anyway?

By decaturparent

August 28, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

My oldest had naps when she was in kindergarten four years ago, but my middle child did not - they just kept drilling right on through.

My middle kid was very old for grade (early fall b-day) so I think she could cope - but it was very hard on the younger ones.

Too much drilling these days - my youngest will not be attending public school K unless they regain some sort of sane perspective. Mine will just do church K and get one more year of childhood.

By jim d

August 28, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

LOL,

Gee Patti. two in a row.

By Jesse's Girl

August 28, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

Neither one of my daughters had naps in kindergarten. My husband and I thought it was a little odd. I remember doing half days in K….parents were assigned to morning or afternoon. MMMM…good times. So, anyone know the reason why naps are no more????

By BlindHomer

August 28, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this

Allowing/encouraging naps in school sets a dangerous precedent that often continues until the student drops out around 10th grade. If the children are too young tp make it through the day without a nap, maybe they shouldn’t be in school all day.

By Nikole

August 28, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

BlindHomer- Traditionally, pre-k and kindergarten were half day classes, so students got naps at home or at daycare. Napping stopped in 1st grade, so I doubt that napping in kindergarten sets a precedent for all of your school years. (I did need a nap after lunch in high school and spent my free period doing that, same for college….maybe I shouldn’t have taken naps when I was 4,5 and 6 years old!)

By Vicki

August 28, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this

4 and 5 year olds need 12-13 hours of sleep every day. I feel the young ones need their naps. My children get up at 6 am to catch the bus at 7 am. That means some children would have to go to bed at 5 or 6 pm in order to get enough sleep. Does that make sense?

By Tina

August 28, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this

If not a structured nap time, there at least needs to be some “down” time for all students, not just the smaller ones. I teach 3rd grade, and try to schedule small breaks in the academics where they can read, organize their desks and binders, etc. Not a free time, let’s all play, but just to give their minds a few minutes when they’re not on full-tilt. Adults need it, too - that’s why they have coffee breaks!

By Jesse's Girl

August 28, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this

All I know is I still need a nap…right after lunch! I think we could all learn a little from the Europeans in regards to time off/holidays and from the Latin countries in regards to siestas.

By Recently Retired

August 28, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

Waaay back in the olden days, after lunch, my elementary teachers had us put our heads on our desks, assigned a “name taker”, and turned out the lights. Of course, this was during the day when an elementary teacher had no breaks all day because they taught P.E., art, music and academics. They were also on patrol duty during lunch. This was the time that our teachers took a restroom break. When the teacher returned to class, those who didn’t get their names on the board got recess while the talkers got to sit under a tree and watch the others. This was standard practice for first through sixth grade. No public kindergarten then. No middle school. Boy, am I old.

By luvs2teach

August 28, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

I don’t teach kindergarten, but both of my kids (sophomores in HS and college) both had a short nap/rest time in kindergarten, which I felt was developmentally appropriate - and I was not even thinking about being a teacher then!

I don’t think this push toward hard-core academics is healthy for child as young as 4 or 5. Kids this age need down-time and outside time. They need some free play time and some reading time. We kill their natural curiosity and teach them to hate school and all things academic with these ridiculous tactics.

We have some of the longest school days in the nation, yet it doesn’t seem to be doing us much good - you can’t fill an already full cup.

By sleepy

August 29, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

Let the babies rest. Putting down the crayons and fat pencils for 30 mins is not going to make any child turn to a life of crime. I am in my early 30’s and I remember those 1/2’s in K(the good ole days). Small children need breaks, Hell all children need breaks! I know I look forward to my breaks and your lying if you say you don’t look forward to yours.

By Renee

August 29, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

They aren’t infants. No need to schedule nap time. Yes, we had it when I was a kid,and true enough, nobody slept.

By Jill

August 29, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

I say let ‘em do what they want. As long as they are quiet and doing a calming activity such as watching a little movie, reading a book or resting- it is okay. I got in trouble every day as a child in school for not closing my eyes on my mat. It still burns me to this day! If your kid does better with a little nap then the teacher can tuck them away in a quiet spot in the room for “sleepers’.

By MMM

August 29, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this

Let the teacher do what he or she thinks the class needs.

There are still naps and recess and my kid’s school. My daughter badly needed it. My son didn’t and would not fall asleep—so his spot was next to the window and he was given some books to look at quietly.

By Melissa

August 29, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

I think that everybody needs a break to rest, maybe not to sleep but perhaps just to do your on thing. I have two childeren and I know as a mother that if they do not get their sleep then they are very ill and whiney the restr of the day. And yes I do understand that some kids function with out a nap, but give those who don’t the chance to, and tthe rest time to play quietly on their on.

By Rachael

August 29, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

My kids stopped napping long before age 5, as did most of their friends. Quiet time seems like a better idea for most kindergarteners.

I think (lack of) sufficient recess time is a much more critical issue for all elementary school students. I would like to see an article comparing recess at schools around the metro area, public and private. I think the benefits to physical and mental health and improved behavior more than make up for time missed in the classroom.