MOMania

By Ebaby

August 11, 2008 6:09 AM | Link to this

My child isnt near kindergarten yet, but how sad. I hope this isnt the situation when it comes our turn.

I went to first grade at a Cobb County public school and remember having periods of the day that we moved around the class room and got away from the desks. Actually, this was the case throughout elementary school. We always got sometime to sit on the floor and read or sing.

By JJ

August 11, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

I have no comment for this topic. My daughter is a senior in high school this year. One more year!!!!

By Eloren

August 11, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

Having just dropped my 5 year old young man off for his first day of Kindergarten, I can say with some hope this isn’t true everywhere…but I’ll be able to ask him this afternoon and verify. However, his schedule, I was happy to see, does include PE, music, and art each week. I hope both of our little boys are ready and will thrive in their new environments!

By ManOfTeal

August 11, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

My little girl started Pre-K this morning.

So if Kindergarten is the new first grade does that make Pre-K the new Kindergarten? Guess I’ll find out.

By CC

August 11, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

The family next door wanted to hold their son back. The excuse they gave was the old, ‘he needs to mature another year.’ But the wife confided the real reason was dad wanted his son to have an advantage in athletics growing up. After continued reassurance from the boy’s Pre-K teacher that the son was ready, dad conceded and let his son start Kindergarten with the rest of his Pre-K classmates. Grow up dads, this kind of behavior sends the wrong message to your kids.

By Shon

August 11, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

My daughter started Kindergarten today but she felt a little uneasy. She went to Pre-K but the school is being renovated this year so the students are being bused to another site. She was almost intears getting on the school bus but I kept reassuring her that she is a big girl and that I would be at the school this morning. Luckily, I also have a daughter in the 5th grade at the same school that can ride the bus with her and check on her throughout the day.

By parentof4

August 11, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

Well I have three boys, and two out of three the teacher said they were not ready for kindergarten or recommended summer school. I did not hold any of my boys back and really worked on them during the year. Boys need to learn how to move through adversity. I mean I did not just throw them out to the wolves, but I am not going to sissyfy them either. With that being said, (I know I am their parent) but all my boys have excelled in school and ranked at the top of their class. In fact they (teachers) have found that what they are teaching them is boring them. I am now glad we did not listen to the sterotype. I do have a daughter that is starting kindergarten. She runs around like the boys and good luck trying to have her sit down. But since she has her bothers teaching her, she too is more advanced. They have found my daughter talking during while the teacher was talking, yet when no one else knew the answer she could answer. I now need to work on her keeping her mouth SHUT.

Needless to say, it is the new 1st grade. I do not agree with the things the children are being taught, since it is more to pass a test and not to learn and be productive. But you cannot look at your child and compare him to the other “boys.” Take an individualized approach and make that decision. Of course the whole lump them together and teach to the masses is why I believe our schools are failing now.

By kennesawmom

August 11, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

My son was in kindergarten last school year & kindergarten is more like the old 2nd grade. My son has a Decemeber & did well however my daughter started kindergarten today & she won’t be 5 until the end of the month so we will see how she does. You won’t know how a child will do until they are in the class.

By lring

August 11, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this

My son has a summer birthday and our pediatrician said that boys with summer birthday’s are 50% more likely to be held back at one point or another, so we started him a year later and I am so glad that we did! He attends a private school and really excels at a very high academic level. School is a breeze for him and that sure beats the possibility of him struggling to keep his head above water. The US is the only country in the world that starts kids in school this early, I think it is crazy to not let them be kids for a few years before school. That nonsense about starting late to be better at sports in high school is just an excuse for someone who doesn’t understand why we really did it. I have been hearing that for years, and to suggest that I knew at age 5 my son was going to want to be the star football player is just plain silly. He happens to be an exceptional soccer player but sports never once entered my mind, he was only 4 when we made this decision! It was a choice I am still 100% comfortable with all these years later.

By JeremiahWright

August 11, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

I just can’t believe that my daughter’s school is having “Storybook Character Dress up Day” instead of Halloween and “Winter Holiday” instead of Christmas Break. Christmas is the FEDERAL HOLIDAY people! And the teacher said they can’t even say “Halloween”. Unbelievable. Kids are so confused these days.

By Allison

August 11, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

I only have daughters, so I cannot comment on whether boys should be held back. I just wanted to comment that the problem of early childhood education being “academic” isn’t just occuring in Kindergarten. I had a hard time last year finding a Preschool that was play and centered based! Several preschools seem to take pride in the fact that they were teaching 3 and 4 years olds to sit and do textbook activities. It concerns me that our society is eliminating play from our children’s lives. Preschool and Kindergarteners need play to explore and work out their understanding of the world. I am puzzled as to why so many parents today seem to hurry their child to grow up - starting as early as from the moment they are born instead of allowing them to be children. It is as though they have forgotten what it was like when they were children - all the endless hours of pretend play - living in a world of possibilites and imagination. Now children are being shuffled from one activity to another as early as 3 years old, and no longer have the freedom to imagine and create. There are many reasons for this growing problem - but it is mainly due to the fact that parents either aren’t aware of the importance of play - or don’t have the time in their schedule to make sure free play (that doesn’t involve computers or the TV) occurs in their children’s lives.

By JeremiahWright

August 11, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

I am so confused. Am I a lefty or a righty? Sometimes late at night I sit in my living room and hit myself on the head with a brick so I can think happy-happy thoughts. Crack is wack.

By sld106

August 11, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Kindergarten is what first grade used to be. NCLB has certainly changed kindergarten. I taught kindergarten for six years and couldn’t stand what we had to do to the children. Kindergartners do need to move around a lot but I also think that we need to stop saying “children will be children”. They need to be taught that there are times for sitting down and listening and times for movement. Any good kindergarten teacher is going to provide breaks for movement in between the sitting at a desk and working. Parents should also remember that after a day of sitting in school that a child shouldn’t go home and sit in front of television and video games. They should go play and also get to bed at a decent hour. I don’t think people realize what an effect a late bedtime has on behavior. Remember too that most schools have cut out K-naptime. Things are changing and parents need to help out as much as possible. If we all voice our opinions maybe kindergarten will change back to what it is supposed to be, but until then teachers and children (and the parents) should do the best we can.

By A. Nony Mouse

August 11, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

When my oldest went in to 4yr I was nervous. he was a typical boy and thought everything was a party just for his pleasure. At no time did any teacher say he ws not ready for 5yr or 1st grade. They did say that he was rambunctious and would have to learn to get over that.

When I was married to my ex he did not want the younger (my now 13 year old daughter) to go to school ever. He made noises like he would home school. I however insisted after a few months of her being home schooled (he did it while I worked) and she had not progressed. She went in 3 months into the school year. She was emotionally ill prepared however she caught up academically very soon. She is now above average for her grade level. I deeply regret no sending her at the right time to start with.
I think unless a child is extreemly develpmentally delayed they need to go right to school on schedule.

By Angela

August 11, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

It’s not only the Public school system but also the private schools. My husband and I took our 5yr old to test for Kindergarten at a Catholic school. It was like applying to college and taking the SAT. They gave him a 30 minute test, and 4 weeks later sent us a rejection letter saying that they had concerns about his attention and his motor skills. My husband and I were crushed. I felt like calling the school and saying “hey if he knows everything before he enters kindergarten, then why do we need you Miss Teacher!! That was in January of this year. I finally got up the nerve to call the school and schedule a follow-up meeting to the rejection letter. It all boils down to”the expectations have changed”! They told me that when we reapply for first grade in 09, that the will have to know simple fractions! FRACTIONS in the first grade! Lord Have Mercy!!

By Michelle

August 11, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

My son was kindergarten last year,yes it is the new first grade ,however he did adjust.They not only had to sit and read silently for 30min ,but recd sad faces for the least things. I felt this was not good for self esteem.In the last months of k5 this all fell in to place ,they loved reading ,math ,and writing.So I came to the understanding that this makes a good student,and it was worth it.Sitting still for the boys was a problem,but the older they get it is much better.

By Stacey

August 11, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

My son attended daycare and that center had a preschool class to prepare them for PreK. Although the preschool class wasn’t as structured as PreK, it did prepare them for having to sit, listen and follow instuctions. PreK was a much more structured environment. They had to raise their hands and be acknowledged before asking a question, get permission to go the restroom, etc. Playtime was also more structured to prepare them for Kindergarten. His preschool teacher used to say that every little thing they “learned” in daycare and preschool was important in their future development in school. My son’s Kindergarten teacher said she could definitely tell which kids attended daycare and/or PreK because those who did were used to the classroom structure and were used to dealing with classmates.

By Stacey

August 11, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Allison…I’m not a teacher but I am a parent of a 2nd grader. As I stated in my earlier post, his preschool also had structured play. It’s not that the school (nor I) wanted to stymie his imagination, it’s just that kids now must go into kindergarten already knowing what they once learned in K.

Angela…My son learned simple fraction like 1/2 & 1/4 in Kindergarten and in 1st grade they introduced 1/3 & 2/3. I flipped through his 2nd grade math book at Open House and saw that they will learn to add using fractions this year.

Fortunately, his school still has art, music & PE weekly in elementary school. This is his last year for recess though, as they only have recess through 2nd grade.

By motherjanegoose

August 11, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

Hello all! Back from a week of meetings in Arkansas and then a family vacation in Maui. Now I have to get back in the saddle and leave for Minnesota tomorrow. KINDERGARTEN IS NOT WHAT IS USED TO BE! I started out 25 years ago, teaching Kinder and today’s class IS different. Moreover, I have worked with teachers from Maine to Alaska and Kindergarten is not the same across the country.
Living in in the Metro, we are more competitive and innovative than many rural communities. My son is a Senior at UGA. He had a June birthday and went into Kindergarten; however, he was one of the tallest boys ( family genes from Grandpa) and could read proficiently ( yes, that is the truth) when he headed to school. If your child has a late summer birthday and on the shy side or not really ready for academics…you MAY want to re think sending them to Kinder. Realize that many of the students will be 8-12 months older that your child and ( at this age) it can make a difference. Here is something we ( as teachers want y’all to know. I have discussed this all summer at the staff development sessions I have been leading.

FIVE B’S FOR A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT :

BATH every night….little bodies play hard and when they do not have a bath, they develop body odor and other children will be cruel to those who stink. They may look clean but when 24 children are in the classroom….it stinks!

BOOK every night…even five minutes spent with your child reading before bed helps so much in the long run.

BEDTIME…every night. We see children who are so tired…they cannot stay awake. Recommendation is 10-11 hours…yes, that is correct. Wonder why they are cranky?

BRUSH teeth before school each day…read the notes on baths…children know who had bad breath and so do teachers.

BREAKFAST…eat SOMETHING before school. Even a banana or Carnation Instant breakfast can give a bit of fuel to the body.

You can argue all you want about these items or excuse yourself from them but show them to your elementary teacher and you will find they will be nodding their heads.

We teachers have the number of inconsistent parents. Do yourself a favor and figure it out now….routines work!

By FootballDad

August 11, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

We were encouraged to hold our son back. We acknowledged that his summer birthday put him at a disadvantage in some regards, but we decided to move forward anyway. We’re glad we did. The “problems” he experienced early on were easily solved with good, experienced teachers and a dedication on our part to put in the extra work in the evenings. A good teacher makes all the difference though – insist on a non first-year teacher and pray that they raised some kids of their own. You simply can’t get that experience in a college classroom (sorry, having 2 well behaved dogs doesn’t provide you with that experience). Don’t be afraid to ask for your child to be placed with another teacher, especially in the first grade.

I did consider holding our son back for sports (it wasn’t an option for mom). To me, it wasn’t as much about giving him an advantage as it was giving him an opportunity to catch up to kids that were, possibly, 10 or 11 months older. He plays football, so size and self confidence were my main goals. In the end, I decided that there are better ways to instill self confidence and build character in a young player, but it’s still a tough sell when he lines up against kids twice his size. However, if sports is your goal, remember that the majority of youth sports are age-based, so holding your child back will have them competing against the kids in their “normal” grade anyway. Therefore, holding them back gains you NOTHING, and, possibly, presents another set of problems socially. Besides, athletics doesn’t get grade-specific until high school. Who knows what your son will be into then. Also, regardless of how talented you think your kid is, there’s a 99% chance they will never be a D1 college athlete and a 99.9% chance they won’t make it to the pros. You would be better served by teaching them to love the game, build a few relationships, and learn life lessons. That will drive them to be successful both on and off the field.

By Carpetbagger

August 11, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

Any child is ready for the pathetic educational system in this state. “Redshirting” a kid? What are you thinking? Georgia…last in SATs, last in graduation rates (I won’t mention the test they just threw out because it was “too hard.” What a joke.

By brad

August 11, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Lots of good posts, guys. Thanks. I have a 3-year old boy with an August birthday. Avg size, probably a little advanced with reading skills. Social skills are average since he hasn’t been around a lot of other kids. I think he’ll be fine, but I’ll keep asking and reading.

By Ajamu

August 11, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

My daughter who is 5 started public school kindergarten today . She will be 6 in early November and graduated private school k-5 last May. She reads at about a 3rd or 4th gade level, writes in cursive and does math easily. We wanted to keep her in her private Christian school but at a $1,000.00 a month incuding after school, uniforms and gas prices made it cost prohibitive. After being tested she is to be moved to a 1rst grade class or the gifted k-5 class. It is unfair to my child to have her placed in k-5 again because her birthday is 30 days too late. She will probably wind up skipping a grade down the line (as I did) but she should be allowed to work to her potential now. Gwinnett County Schools should not restrict a child’s academic potential just because half the children in her class have parents who “no speaky good english.” We will continue with the same private school curriculum at home to enrich what ever she may not be getting at the public school. At least now she gets to go to school with her neighbors and her buddy from pre-school. Parents: THE CHILDREN WHO EXCELL IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DO SO BECAUSE OF THE ENRICHMENT THEY GET AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL SETTING THROUGH THEIR PARENT’S EFFORTS!

By motherjanegoose

August 11, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Football Dad….great post about how few actually make it into college due to sports…I wish many parents would realize this.

Carpetbagger….do a little research…in GA most high schools advocate for EVERYONE to take the SAT test. In many of the other states, only those who intend to go to college take the test. This is why our pool of scores look lower….the athletes ( hahaha) are pulling our scores down.

Seriously, when we were looking at colleges, we were told that most colleges are delighted to have students from Gwinnett County, as the reputation is that most of these students are READY to achieve and have had the course rigor. This is something we should be proud of. Do not tuck your tail and run because of our stand on the SAT scores….do some research.

FYI about Halloween and Christmas… we may be eliminating birthday celebrations too. I am all about respecting cultural and religious differences but DRAW THE LINE ON BIRTHDAYS. Jehovah’s Witnesses are becoming more prevelant ( sp) in our schools and their parents are squawking …even against birthday parties. I am having a FIT about this. Here is why. If you have a strong stand against issues in the public school, you have a right to organize a private school. There ARE Lutheran Seventh Day Adventist, Episcopal, Catholic and Jewish Schools BUT I HAVE NEVER PERSONALLY SEEN A JEHOVAH’S WITNESS SCHOOL.

Please…LEAVE our kids alone…we celebrate birthdays in America…start your own school and then your rules can go as far as you wish.

I would not put my child in a Jewish school and ask them to celebrate Christmas ( I am saying this with all due respect).

Please realize that this is PUBLIC SCHOOL not your own platform. If you do not believe me…check in with your school and voice your opinion. some principals are tip toeing around these parents who want to eliminate all holidays…

Readers????

By motherjanegoose

August 11, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

AJAMU….you are absolutely correct in your last sentence to parents…thanks for sharing!

By Steve

August 11, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

When are you stupid parents going to realize public schools are not where your kids should be going. Academics in kindergarten???? How stupid and crazy is that??? Any parent that thinks that is okay needs to get a real grip on reality.

By PHR

August 11, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

My son completed Kindergarten last year. His teacher told me that she used the same type curriculum for 1st graders 10 years ago. I personally think we are asking a lot of our 5 year olds with the way Kindergarten is today. I cannot believe they are expected to be in a classroom for almost 7 hours a day. My son was still taking a nap in Pre-K and then went to no nap and 100% learning in Kindergarten.

Fortunately my son had a good experience in Pre-K and Kindergarten so hopefully he is prepared for 1st grade. He was actually excited to go to school this morning.

He does get PE twice a week, music once a week, and art once a week. He also gets a recess everyday, thank goodness.

By DB

August 11, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

Looking back on our first foray into education, lo these many years ago, I remember interviews when we were applying our eldest at several area private schools. Me bad, I scheduled an interview for him at one school just after his pre-school one morning, thinking that I’d have time to let him run off a little steam at the Chick-Fil-A playground beforehand. Alas, plans fell apart, and we missed lunch and were 15 minutes late for the interview. Imagine, if you will, how well an interview went with a hungry, antsy 5-year old. :-) The teacher came out later and coolly informed me that “at their school, kindergarten was like everyone else’s first grade, and that he was not suited to the rigourous academic environment.” I actually laughed outloud and said, “well, it doesn’t sound like a good fit, then!” and thankfully crossed that school off my list. 13 years later, he’s on a 3/4 academic scholarship to a top 15 national university, after getting straight A’s for eight years. Academic rigor was NOT my criteria — I knew he had the brain power. What I was looking for was an environment that cared for the whole child, not just their math skills. Happily, we found it.

So I guess my message to parents who are freaking out right now is … don’t. I know it seems like a life-and-death decision now, but it really isn’t. If you don’t think the public school kindergarden is a good fit, consider a private kindergarten (lots of churches have good, traditional, play-oriented kindergarten programs). Or you might want to consider taking your child out of school for half-a-day for the first six weeks or so. It’s KINDERGARDEN, not high school. It’s not like it’s going on his permanent records!! Your child may get more out of a quiet afternoon with you at the zoo, or coloring or gardening than he will out of an infinite number of math worksheets.

They WILL learn to read. They WILL learn to write. They WILL learn their 2+2 tables. If they don’t get it at 5, they’ll get it at 6, or 7 … and they’ll be doing it for the rest of their life.

By gadawg5720

August 11, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

My 5 year old daughter started Kindergarten last week and I can tell you it is not just boys who have to adjust to the structured environment. She had a great first week with the exception of talking. She went to private Pre-K for two years she knows when to listen to the teachers. It is still hard for a 5 year old to sit still and listen all of the time. Thank goodness we were lucky enough to get an experienced teacher who knows how to make following the rules a positive experience. I definitely agree an experienced teacher is going to understand a Kindergartner’s needs better than a young teacher without children.

By nervous parent

August 11, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

You guys are making me a lil nervous. My son is only 2 and will be 3 in December. I’m trying my best now to prepare him for when he goes to Kindergarten. I was wondering what all he needs to know…now I have an idea. We are currently working on the ABC’s, 123’s colors, shapes, reading…he’s actually catching on pretty quickly. I don’t forsee us having a problem with him going to school in the next 3 yrs.

By DB

August 11, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

And one last thing: If they are chaining kindergardeners to desks and eliminating recess after 2nd grade these days, how can they really tut-tut over childhood obesity and behavioral issues? Kids need to MOVE. It’s good for their motor skill development, playground politics are good for learning to weave through socialization, and it calms ‘em down. Trying to treat a 5 year old like a 7 year old is like teaching a cat to sing — they can’t do it very well, and you just irritate the cat. :-) People STILL keep making the mistake of thinking that just because a child is intellectually mature, that they are also emotionally mature. Let kids be kids! They have the rest of their lives to be adults.

By Theresa

August 11, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

welcome back motherjanegoose - we missed you — I love your 5 Bs — There was a little guy in my son’s preschool class who always said smelled — and we were like we don’t care you be nice to him — we thought he was overreacting — we know the family and we’re like surely he deosn’t smell and then at his birthday party the mom made a comment about their baths every other night and that was it — he needs a bath every night — also made the kids brush teeth this morning actually twice - before breakfast and then after —

I snuck in this morning to check on my 5-year-old - They had just started some circle time - he was sitting quietly but he wasn’t smiling — I htink they were going over the class rules - i hope he enjoys some of it today — he was most excited about choosing his own lunch — apparently me choosing lunch isn’t as much fun — got him a special treat for dinner and special ice cream snack for when they get home— I hope they both have good days!!!

By A. Nony Mouse

August 11, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Thank heavens for those “Good Experienced” educators. My daughters k5 teacher was a dream. She got us both through a really bad time.

We also had a very poor, tenured teacher. Dare I say terrible. She was replaced by a lady while on medical leave whe while college educated was not a credentialed educator. She was however a very gifted teacher who turned a potential disasterous year around for everyone concerned.

By Smart Ace

August 11, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

I taught my cat to sing. It’s getting my 5 year old to bark like a dog that is giving me fits.

I like pie….Wiggity Wack Jack….

By A. Nony Mouse

August 11, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Oh Theresa that poor little fellow.
I am with you, baths every night. Little boys can be pretty high smelling on thier best days too. LOL.

By SouthFultonMom

August 11, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

My daughter went to a catholic school in kindergarten and learned how to read simple sentences (although she was already reading in pre-k), learned to count to 100, add and subtract, had snacks and a nap. My son went to a public kindergarten class, never received a snack, was expected to sit all day and do written work, got tons of homework (some of which I refused to make him complete) and got no nap! He needed speech therapy and I chose to send him to public. The differences have been incredible. As a teacher, I am outraged at what public schools are doing to our kids! Yes, kindgergarten is the new 1st grade, and the government should be ashamed!

By Brock

August 11, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Hey JJ, if you have “No Comment”, then why did you leave a comment? Are you one of those types of people who just HAS to be in the conversation, even if it doesnt even concern you? None-the-less,I wish your daughter well in her final years of highschool.

By 2boys

August 11, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

I am a mom of two boys-both with summer birthdays. They both attend preschool at our church. We are so fortunate that we have a class designed for those children with summer birthdays whose parents want to hold them back a year. Both of my boys will attend this class-they get the chance to be the leaders of their school, take special field trips, etc. The currculum is a mixture of play-based and academic. I am in no hurry for my boys to grow up so fast. I want to let them enjoy their childhood as long as possible! Also-gives us an extra year to save for college :)

By BeenThereMom

August 11, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

I didn’t hold my daugher back from kindergarten. She just skipped kindergarten entirely. There were no concerns about her academic readiness — she was already a strong reader and already competent in math; however, we were very concerned about cutting her free-play years short without good cause. The following year, she started first grade with her peers. Her father and I were strongly criticized for our decision to allow her to skip kindergarten; however, she excelled both academically and socially through the years. She’s now in her mid-20’s, through college and self-supporting. If you have your child’s best interest at heart, then no one knows better than you about what’s right for your child. Trust your instincts. (For the record, I strongly support more play time and less structure in the early years. It is impossible to prevent a child from learning. “Play” is the most natural and least stressful education. It is a shame that our school systems have forgotten that.)

By Kimberlee

August 11, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

Motherjanegoose is after my heart and thoughts.

My daughter is beginning kindergarten at age 5 and has attended montessori since 3. We knew early on that sitting behind a desk would be a problem and that if she got bored your kid probably wasnt going to learn much this year. Montessori was the way to go right? Umm the jury is still out on that one. Especially when you have a teacher that wants to crank out a cookie cutter lesson plan with the hopes of teaching everyone equally. Sorry, my kid doesn’t fit in a box. Lucky for her, she has two hard working full time parents that don’t mind teaching and pushing her in the evening. Sad but its true. Good, logical parents that provide structure and goals that are willing to jump on any teachers band wagon if he or she would only be as consistent as her request for the 5 year old to be! I digress. We are few and far between.

Montessori says my kid can learn as far as her ability despite her age. Last year Amari learn to multiply and divide. I suck in Math - but my kid doesn’t. Apparently her certified teacher sucks at math and reading too, because she hates to - you guessed it - TEACH!

And FYI that same teacher is against Halloween and Christmas too. Its public school, check your religions and WANTS at the door. Instead of birthdays we have a “stick” of some sort that the children are allowed to pass. Good grief! Mean while my smarty pants kid (literally) wants cupcakes! Meanwhile I’m trying to figure out how to keep my kid from being socially isolated bc she feels like she should dummy down so her teacher won’t have to work so hard!

By Alecia

August 11, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

My daughter’s first day of kindergarten was this morning. She attended a church preschool for 3 years and can read independently, count, knows basic arithmetic, and makes friends easily. Her class last year was arranged just like the class she went to today. Anyway, she was voted most energetic in her 4 yr old preschool class. Most of the kids in the class were boys. It amazes me how parents use the excuse “He’s a boy” when their kid acts up or is slow at learning a concept. One of my daughter’s best friends is a boy w/ summer birthday. His parents never discipline him and he even calls them by their first name. I see parents all of the time punishing their daughters and letting their sons off the hook for the same action. My daughter was punished in class last year for blurting out the answers instead of raising her hand. However, I noticed the boys being a lot more obnoxious and nothing was done. Let’s face it, we have higher standards for girls. Also, hyperactivity or learning disabilities is not just a boy thing. Parents, if your child boy or girl has discipline problems or is a slow learning please get help instead of moaning the words “He’s a boy”.

By Allison

August 11, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

Just wanted to add a few things to my previous post. My daughter is in Pre-K this year - and I am happy to see that there is time alloted on the daily schedule for free play, centers, and structured play. I’m not advocating that children should not have structure and learn how to be quiet and all that - I just think that they need “playtime” in addition to the structure to balance out their schedule and development. I find it very interesting that once schools started eliminating “play” from the daily schedule that our society has seen a rise in obesity, type 2 diabetes in children, and ADD. Granted there are other factors that play into these problems as well (i.e. fast food, sedentary activities), but I think the lack of play in schools is a contributing factor.

Stacey- regarding your comment “It’s not that the school (nor I) wanted to stymie his imagination, it’s just that kids now must go into kindergarten already knowing what they once learned in K:” have you really considered why this is the case? There seems to be this trend, belief and pressure in our society that to “get ahead” in life we must get started learning everything earlier in life. Parents are buying in this belief - and enrolling their kids in ballet, soccer, spanish, etc when their kid is two or three years old. They seem to think by doing so, they are giving their kid a leg up in life. I use to work with elementary age children in an afterschool program…and saw many of them burned out on school and activities at the age of 7 and 8. And burnout can lead to boredom which can lead to doing stupid things like drugs, alcohol and sex at an early age.

This isn’t a new problem. David Elkind wrote “The Hurried Child” 25 years ago…”calling our attention to the crippling effects of hurrying our children through life. He showed that by blurring the boundaries of what is age appropriate, by expecting—or imposing—too much too soon, we force our kids to grow up too fast.” (Amazon.com) He has written similar books (The Power of Play:Learning What Come Naturally; and Miseducation: Preschoolers at Risk) Worth looking at.

I also wanted to comment that I find it very interesting how nowadays parents will pay thousands of dollars to send their kid to a school (like Montessori) - where a kid learns through “play” and at their own pace and interest - something that can be and should be done at home and school to begin with.

By Skeptical

August 11, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Ajamu - psst! Excel is spelled with only one “l” :)

I’d check the norms on those grade level scores you posted.

By Smart Ace

August 11, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

My kid knocked up your honor student.

By A. Nony Mouse

August 11, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Nervous Parent, Talk to your son like a human. Engage him in discussion. Not Baby talk, read to him. Teach him to play nice and be empathetic. Teach him in a way that is less like trying to one up all your friends kids and more like spending time with someone you love.

Most of all you be his teacher, not Burt and Ernie. Not that Sesame Street does not have its place.

By A. Nony Mouse

August 11, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Nervous Parent, Talk to your son like a human. Engage him in discussion. Not Baby talk, read to him. Teach him to play nice and be empathetic. Teach him in a way that is less like trying to one up all your friends kids and more like spending time with someone you love.

Most of all you be his teacher, not Burt and Ernie. Not that Sesame Street does not have its place.

By Kat

August 11, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

Your kid skipped kindergarten and went directly into 1st grade? This is so annoying because I want to get my post-Sept 1 kid into school early because she can do all of the requested work involved. They hold others back, but won’t let others in early? This bites.

By BeenThereMom

August 11, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Kat, my daughter did not enter first grade early — she started first grade at the regular age. She just did not attend kindergarten. She had an extra year free from school.

By Wazy

August 11, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

Yes, My daughter’s kindergarten was pretty much the same as my 1st grade.

By landsaf

August 11, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

this is sad. SAD. How on earth did we adults EVER make it this far? Must political correctness take over EVERY aspect of a persons life anymore?

By motherjanegoose

August 11, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

Nervous parent…

read to your child every day

talk to your child and use a variety of words in their natural context i.e. DID YOU SEE THAT CAT POUNCE? Your child will hear vocabulary and be familiar with it before he/she is ready to read . PLAY GAMES and not the electronic kind….TAKING TURNS AND BEING A FAIR LOSER IS BECOMING A LOST ART

Give chores…even a 2 year old can put paper napkins on the table or carry shoes to the bottom of the stairwell.

Cook together…this helps with following directions.

Let your child clean up his/her own mess when they can. This will make them responsible.

One of my neighbors teaches 5th grade. At a class party, a fifth grader knocked over his juice on the floor and just let it be. She watched for a while and then walked over and said, “Why are you not cleaning up your juice?” He replied, ” at our house my mom cleans up the messes…” RIGHT!!!

By Jacksmum

August 11, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

Do any of you remember 20 or so years ago, when we were desperately trying to keep up with the Japanese? The educational changes in our school systems are not bad, they are good. The increased opportunity for education even as early as 4 or 5 is positive. These children are being exposed to learning at a time when they can absorb a LOT of lessons. It’s not like difficulty in Kinder is going to bring down their GPA and keep them out of Harvard.

I don’t know about your county schools, but my sons school offers PE, Music and Art on a rotating basis in elementary school. They also have recess and nap for Pre-K and Kinder.

For all of you parents bragging about how smart your 2, 3, 4 or 5 year old are, hang tight. At this point it is developmental, some kids get it faster, it doesn’t make them Einstein. Labeling them brilliant or disruptive now, may cause you great amounts of heart and headache later. Allow them to be kids, learn things as they can and stop all the worry.

By nervous parent

August 11, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the advice! When I speak to my child I do talk to him like I would any other person. I do not talk to him like he’s a baby. He understands everything I say to him. I do make him clean up after himself, even if he cries. He still does it, he may just whine the whole time doing so. When he goes to the daycare @ the gym, they are surprise of how he does clean up after himself. Whenever he takes off his shoes, he knows to go and put them in his closet and that’s what he does. I mean he might throw them in there but he knows where they go. When someone gives something to him he say’s Thank you, etc. When someone sneeze’s he tries to say bless you. We read every day, he recognizes a few words when he sees them. He also, knows what letters are affiliated with the animals as well. He loves animals and he knows just about all of them and what sounds they make. I think he’s on the right path, I just want to make sure that by the time he does go to 5yr old Kindergarten that he isn’t behind his peers. Being that he doesn’t go to daycare or preschool at this time. I just wasn’t sure what all they were expected to know by that time. Since I have 3yrs to get him ready, I think we will be fine.

By red

August 12, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

I believe kindergarten is not required in Ga anyway. Kids dont have to start school until 6 yr old. So for all of you who are so unhappy with govt schools, (like me) keep them home with you until they are 6 and enter the 1st grade, or send them to private pre-K.

By My3Kids

August 12, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

I have 2 nephews, they both went to pre-k and both were worked with by my sister and I (my boys are my other kids) and they were both prepared for kindergarten. My sister’s youngest does awesome in school to this day. My oldest nephew does great when he wants to, his thing now is goofing off. However he is 15…

I think it is up to the parent and the child if that a child is mature enough for kindergaten.

By Leigh Ann

August 12, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

I have one in Kindergarten this year and also one as a senior, freshman and preschool…After visiting my Kindergarten sons new classroom I commented to my husband that it was quite different than the room our oldest son had been in for kindergarten. Our oldest sons classroom in K was a nice large space and they had lots of imaginary & interactive play items such as a play kitchen and plenty of other things…lots of hands on centers etc where they worked making patterns with blocks or other items and all sorts of other hands on things to do which little ones thrive on…not sure my kindergartener this year will be involved in any of this type of activity and his classroom was a typical pretty small classroom with desks and not alot of fun looking areas around so I imagine that it will be true for him that it will be alot of standard desk work. Glad to see that others are questioning all of this. It makes me sad to think of the two very different experiences my oldest and youngest will have. Kindergarten looked much more interesting 12 years ago. Our society as a whole is growing them all up a bit before their time anyway and this just spurs that on even earlier! I don’t think any Kindergartener is ready to sit still all day boy or girl and I have 2 of each so have had lots of experience. I think that we expect too much out of them way too young these days. Dr. Phil said it best on one of his shows that our expectations of small children need to be reasonable…he said you can’t expect a 4 or 5 year old to march in and sit down and act like Audrey Hepburn (all prim and proper) just too high of an expectation!!! Not normal for a kid :0)

By linda

August 12, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

I’m not a mother, but I saw something the other day that struck me as ridiculous. On a retail community board, there was a sign for “Pre-K Spanish” classes. Uh, what? Aren’t you kind of working on English at that age? No wonder some kids aren’t ready for kindergarten. Give me my kool-aid, saltines, nap time, and recess like in the old days!

By Krys

August 12, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

They’re definitely being taught a much more advanced curriculum. But the kids are much smarter and muchmore advanced now. I painted my daughters nails for the first day of Kindergarten. She said 5 different boys told her how beautiful her nails were, then she commenced to naming the boys! OKAY - back to clear polish for you! When I was in school the boys hated girls, and vice-versa. Now they talk like little adults. Too scary!

By Claudia L.

August 12, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Wow, you guys start school really early! We don’t start for two more weeks. Anyway, I had to hold my son back because he missed our very strict cut-off by two weeks. It’s been good for him in terms of his maturity, but he was bored to tears last year. He was already reading when he started kindergarten (we have lots of experience with teaching preschoolers to read), and they really struggled with keeping him motivated and interested. I’m still glad he had a delayed start, but boy it would be great if education could be more individualized.

By Goldfish

August 12, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

Our 6 year old son started first grade yesterday and he has a June birthday.

I have one receommendation here-PRIVATE SCHOOL. We drive used cars, don’t eat out and will stay in our 20 year old house as long as needed. We pay 6K a year in North Cobb. It’s doable and we have less than a 6 figure income.

By JustMe

August 12, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

What shocks me is learning that beginning next month my son will be getting “homework” from Kindergarten. But I am glad to say he does have PE twice a week, as well as music, art, and <gulp> computer lab weekly…..and recess. They have a “rest time” where they put their heads down for a little while (and I remember that from when I was a kid), and since he didn’t nap most days in Pre-K, I don’t think he’s missing out on anything. Education overall is becoming more advanced, kids of all ages expected to know more, do more. I think where we fail as parents is by complaining that they’re not allowed to “just be a kid”, yet we schedule every minute of their free time with organized sports or other activities. You can’t have it both ways. The schools have a job to do - educate our children. It is up to us to ensure they have well-rounded lives by balancing out all the knowledge/studying/learning with leisure/play/free time.

By Goldfish

August 12, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

Our 6 year old son started first grade yesterday and he has a June birthday.

I have one receommendation here-PRIVATE SCHOOL. We drive used cars, don’t eat out and will stay in our 20 year old house as long as needed. We pay 6K a year in North Cobb. It’s doable and we have less than a 6 figure income.

By JSP

August 12, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this

Why do so many people think just because K is not exactly like it was when “they” were a child that it is somehow wrong?

Both of my boys started K at 5, the youngest is now in the 4th grade. Kindergarten was academic but did include music, PE, recess, art, etc.

Children are capable of learning a great deal at early ages. Why not teach them? I don’t have an issue with the emphasis being on academics. I do have an issue with recess/PE being removed from schools.

Also using the expression “boys will be boys” as an excuse for disruptive classroom behavior is a bunch of bull. Neither of my boys had an issue sitting and behaving properly in the classroom at 5!

But, then again, they’ve been taught proper behavior, have a full nights rest before going to school, go to school bathed and with their belly’s full of a balanced breakfast.

Eliminating movement (PE, recess) from the curriculumn is counter productive and not healthy. Children need to release some of that energy! Exercise is good for the mind and body and provides unlimited opportunity to develop social skills.

Also, hey, teachers, STOP giving them candy all day long and then expecting them to sit still! Can’t you see how you are contributing to your own problems!

And, exactly what is wrong with Pre-K Spanish? Children learn foreign languages quite easily when the teaching starts at an early age.

By Jill Massey

August 12, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

I am a veteran kindergarten teacher in a poor community. My school has a 10 year record for making AYP in a Title 1 school. Only 13 others in the state have made the grade. Yes, kindergarten if rigorous, lots of seatwork, NO RECESS, only p.e. and music. I feel sorry for the poor children whose parents don’t know any better. Kindergarten is cruel.

By beth

August 12, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

Have a 4 yr old at home now. Cant find a PreK. Georgia hypes about pre-k programs but none available publicly. If the state says available to all, so where are they? I grew up in the late 50’s and graduated in the early 70’s. This is crap now a days. Kids need social skills, some academics through play not pencil and paper everyday. No wonder kids are burnt out and the drop out rate is high. Let the kids be kids.

By Lynn Sexton

August 12, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

I taught fifth grade for nine years. The kids who did the best were the one who either went Readiness or who repeated kindergarten because they were young for their ages. My son’s birthday is July 18. I knew when he was born we would not let him start “on time”…When he went to Four Year Old preschool, the teachers had a meeting with me. They asked what my plans were for him. I told them he was going to go to church kindergarten when he was five and then start public school kindergarten a month after he turned six the next year. They were very relieved to hear me say that because they were going to suggest he repeat four year preschool because he was so young…he would fall asleep in class and just did not have the maturity to move ahead with others his age. Today he is a 17 year old high school junior. He has a 3.34 GPA and has never made a C on his report card. I am sure that would not have been the case if we had sent him on. They have their whole lives to go to school and then enter the work force…how can one more year at home hurt them? They will only be older, stronger, more mature and more self-assured. How can you lose?

By BoysRule

August 13, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

My son is a June birthday and was 6 weeks preemie. We didn’t make the decision to send him to public K until 2 weeks before school started. He really seemed to mature over the summer and he was reading and doing some basic math. We found out he had benign essential tremors in both hands about 6 weeks into school. Another year of PreK would not have done him justice. Of course, when the year ended, they recommended holding him back because he has difficulty with writing and some difficulty with staying on task. He has great concentration if he is really interested in something. Isn’t that true of most of us? I worked on reading, writing, and math all summer and now he is a wee bit ahead of most of the kids in his 1st grade class. Parental involvement is the key. We are also lucky enough to live in a subdivision with lots of kids who pretty much rule the cul-de-sac and they get lots of time to play without parents up there bums the whole time.

By amber stewart

August 13, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

I do agree that it is the new first grade.This is burning the kids out. I have two boys, one in kindergarden and one in the seventh grade. The seventh grader is learning what was taught in eighth grade last year and that was told by his teacher. Both kids went to 3 and 4 yr. preschool because I didnt want them to be behind. My oldest struggles everyday and hates school. The schools are putting too much on them and rushing them through it all,not reallly teaching it clearly. Every year my oldest son has so much homework, he doesn’t have time for anything else. It’s crazy.

By clc

August 13, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

My twin sons,now 28 yrs.old were not ready for 1st.grade.The had Readiness then & it was a huge help to them! Monday my 5 yr.old grandaughter started kindergarten & so far I have been very disappointed in the “Military” type of structure they are teaching them.The children in their desk @8:30 school starts at 8:50.What’s wrong w/ a little social time before hitting the books? I now know why their are so many parents choosing to home school.These 5 yr.olds just didn’ seem to be happy at all.It breaks my heart because she went to 3 yrs.of pre-school & loved it.We would home school too, but she is an only child & needs to be w/ children her age.

By Their Mommy

August 25, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

My son started K this year and so far it is going great. He taught himself to read and do simple mathematics before he was three years old. We have encouraged him to explore his world and to learn in many different ways and not just from a workbook. I am glad that at his PUBLIC school in Newton county he has continued to be encouraged this way. I am thankful that he has recess EVERY day for 30 minutes and structured PE twice a week. I am delighted in his teacher who keeps his interest by allowing him to work on more advanced material so he does not get bored. (too early in the year for grade level testing) He comes home every day flush with news of all his accomplishments, and bone tired from playing very hard. I could not be more pleased.

By MONSI

September 8, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

MY SON 5 STARTED KINDERGARDEN LAST WEEK . I DO THINK KINDERGARDEN IS THE NEW FIRST GRADE. MY SON DID GO TO PRESCHOOL,BUT THE DID NOT DO ALOT OF ACADEMICS IT WASNT VERY STRUCTURED. I GOT A LETTER FROM HIS NEW TEACHER 2 WEEKS BEFORE SCHOOL SAYING HE MUST KNOW 40 SITE WORDS SAY AND RECONIZE NUMBERS -0 TO 120 MUST HAVE A DICTIONARY FOR KINDERGARDEN AND MANY OTHER THINGS MASTERED . I WAS SHOCKED. I DONT KNOW IF HES TOTALLY READY FOR ALL THIS ACADEMIC PRESSURE! HES DEFINALTY DISAPIONTED THERES NO PLAY TIME AT ALL! THE SECOND DAY OF SCHOOL HE GOT TIME OUT FOR TOUCHING A FRIEND ON THE HEAD. ITS ALL DAY TOO. !!!!!!!!!!

By MONSI

September 8, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

MY SON 5 STARTED KINDERGARDEN LAST WEEK . I DO THINK KINDERGARDEN IS THE NEW FIRST GRADE. MY SON DID GO TO PRESCHOOL,BUT THE DID NOT DO ALOT OF ACADEMICS IT WASNT VERY STRUCTURED. I GOT A LETTER FROM HIS NEW TEACHER 2 WEEKS BEFORE SCHOOL SAYING HE MUST KNOW 40 SITE WORDS SAY AND RECONIZE NUMBERS -0 TO 120 MUST HAVE A DICTIONARY FOR KINDERGARDEN AND MANY OTHER THINGS MASTERED . I WAS SHOCKED. I DONT KNOW IF HES TOTALLY READY FOR ALL THIS ACADEMIC PRESSURE! HES DEFINALTY DISAPIONTED THERES NO PLAY TIME AT ALL! THE SECOND DAY OF SCHOOL HE GOT TIME OUT FOR TOUCHING A FRIEND ON THE HEAD. ITS ALL DAY TOO. !!!!!!!!!!