What to Expect in Kindergarten

my son is finishing up kindergarten now (last day is May 27th). I think my son's experience was a nice balance between the social and academics. His teacher met with the parents early in the school year and explained her goals for the year. Yes - the kids would have to learn to sit still more...but she kept them sitting in tables of 4 so the social piece was still there. They also had 2 recess periods and a "special" program (music, arts, gym, etc) everyday. My son's program is a full day (8 - 2:40pm) Kindergarten was great...my son is reading books to us now :)

Good luck and enjoy!!!

Hi Theresa, It really depends on your school district, what kind of time they have (half-day vs full-day programs) and of course the teacher. Of course there is socializing...just being in any group is socializing...but there is not a lot of "free" play time in school. I think that kindergarten is harder on parents than it is for kids! Your child is taking their first steps to becomming an independant person, getting on that bus and going to school. It's tough knowing that your child is no longer a baby or toddler and not under your complete control or care any more even if your child was in pre-school there is a different feel to kindergarten. Your biggest challenge will be to put aside your own fears and concerns so that you don't transmitt them to your son. It is so important that school be a positive experience from the very beginning! Best Wishes!

Good Morning,
well; this would depend on your school district.
all day kindy or 1/2 day kindy . ?
the required entry age date.?
as you are aware ; kindy IS NOT REQUIRED by Pa. LAW.
If you are afraid ; keep child home and /or enlist him for 2 years in kindy .
If a child is ' self motivated' the child will excell.
If the child ' needs' social skills ... child will gain them in kindy .
If child 'needs' letter recon. .... the child will learn this in kindy .
If child 'needs' extra help with any thing ... his teacher WILL direct you and your child as to what services are available in your district.
* always 'listen' to what the teacher has to say about your child ... they are 90% correct !
stop the worries ...
they are all a group of little creative, funny, cute, dance'n, texting, sing'n, story tell'n, sports stars, and sponge Bob pretenders !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
a grammy

Hi Theresa,
I'm not sure if I am totally understanding your question, but I have a son who is in Kindergarten this year (just wrapping it up now!). My son goes to half day Kindergarten, which is what is offered in our district. I would say that it is a pretty structured day for them. Each day they have a 20 minute "special class" (art, gym, music, library or Spanish) and the rest of the time is learning sheets (chair/pencil work), circle time, etc.
I am amazed at what his teacher has accomplished with the kids in this year. They are spelling, writing sentences, reading, doing addition AND subtraction as well as simple algebra concepts. Gone are the days of learning colors and shapes in Kindergarten! So your son should feel challenged in that type of environment.
That said, my son has still enjoyed the social aspect of Kindergarten and he has made some nice friends from his class. He seems to know everyone and something about each kid, so they do get some social/sharing time.

Have you had your open house for the kindergarten program yet? Usually they will take you through a typical day and what their expectations are for the kids.

My oldest son's kindergarten was structured, primarily academic with a different "special" every day (art, music, gym, library) with social time during 15 minutes of recess/day and lunch. I suspect every school district (full day, half day, etc) may by different and what teacher he has will also make a difference. I wrote to the elementary school principal, even thought it is not encouraged, and requested a teacher with a very structured day for my oldest b/c he does best in that kind of environment. I've been very happy with both his K and 1st grade teachers and he has really enjoyed school (his preschool was structured as well). You may want to talk to the school principal and explain what kind of environment he does best in. Good luck and enjoy watching him grow.

Hi Theresa,

Call the school and visit. Ask them what is their stucture.

Ask questions of them.

Good luck. D.

Hello,

i check out this website EVERY summer for what to expect every year.

http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=2143

ahhh... kindergarden, let the fun begin... sounds like he should do just fine!

good luck
~S.~

Hi, I think this is a hard question to answer because every school is different and every teacher is different. This is a good question to pose at an orientation meeting for parents at the school you are planning on sending you son to. This is a chance to meet the teachers, see the classrooms, and ask questions.

Generally, I'd say that the ultimate kindergarten experience is one where the children get a good balance of academics vs social time. Many children at age five are not ready for formal academics yet, so kindergarten gives them a little taste of that, and some children at age 5 are VERY ready and raring to go. Of my own 3 children, 2 of them weren't ready for academics yet at kindergarten, but one was already reading books by age 4 and has always been ahead of the curve academically. Kindergarten is kind of the "practice" year, where kids who need another year to grow academically get enough to help them and not make them feel overwhelmed, and where children who need to grow socially have the chance to understand what is expected of them in a group situation.

Hope that helps,
L.

It really depends on the school and the teacher. In my past experience with my older children it was not that structured. They had their routines during the day but they still did learning through play. I suggest contacting the school your child will be attending, or emailing them, and ask the basics on how things go. You should be able to look up your child's school and the Kinergarten teachers web sites and read what they do in class, the parent info. They'll probably do an open house and you can take your child to show them around.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat
chat and events within 2 hour radius

Aloha Theresa,
I'm a Instructor now with the mentally and physically challenge 18 yrs. and older, helping them blend into society. When my son was ready to attend school, PA. did not have a law that they had to go to Kindergarten. After much thinking, my husband and I decided to keep him home. I taught him everything he needed to know. He could even write(Script, not just print.) his name when he enter First Grade. His teacher said he was one of the best student she had. Also,he did not play when she wanted the classes attention. His teacher did say that some of the children who came to her from Kindergarten expected to play a lot, as they did in Kindergarten. Preschool and Kindergarten is great for the social side of learning. Learning how to share and how to get along with other children is just as important as ABC and 123. They do learn other things in Kindergarten. Today is a lot different than when my son went to school. If you had the time, you could teach your boys things at home. There is the area of P's and Q's, Thank you, Excuse me when someone is talking, and it's called manners. Teachers love well mannered children. There is so much parents can do to help and work along with the teachers. I'm talking as a mother and teacher, now. To balance my son, we took him to Church with us. He started with the nursery and progressed with each age group. If he did not have that in his life I would have sent him to Kindergarten. As a mother, we want what is best for our child. With that in mind, each child is different and has different needs. After weighing everything in your situation and you make a decision, try not to second guess or doubt yourself. Don't want to be a nervous mother or have anxiety. It's ok to have a healthy worry about your child for we all do that. Too much though, the children pick it up in us and then they start to worry that something is wrong with them and then they react to what they are feeling. All I remember is that for each action there is a reaction. Trust your instinct and it usually is right. Don't mean to be so serious about this. I've met some mothers that are so extreme, that their child can't even play with other children because of their fears. Therefore, you got to have faith in yourself and the decisions your family makes together. We turned out ok and we pray so will our children. Forgive me if it's not what you wanted to hear, but take what you can use and file 13 the rest. (That means throw away the rest.) It is good and ok to get a second opinion. One thing is true, enjoy your children for they grow up fast. Have fun together and take lots of picture. Memories are to be treasured. Friends, Debbie

I think you will find that the kindergarten is very structured and academic. That is what most are like now. They are preparing children for the standardized testing that is so important to schools now. They leave very little time (much too little time in my opinion) for creative free play and exploration.

The best way to find out for sure is to go to your local school and ask questions. They usually have a meeting for parents and maybe an open house. You could also ask if you would be allowed to observe an actual kindergarten class.

One of the major criticisms of homeschooling is that they fear kids aren't getting enough socialization. But then why are public schools steering away from socialization and giving kids so little time to play and get to know each other if it so important?

Kindergarten is extremely structured and academic-particularly in half-day programs. Too much so in my estimation. The teachers must get all kids up to speed in reading and writing 3 sentences by the end of the year and they are getting kids with all kinds of backgrounds so this is not an easy task. My son hated kindergarten...they
NEVER got a chance to socialize. They hit the playground twice all year! First grade is much, much better for him.

Theresa, I am a kindergarten teacher. I tell parents that kindergarten is the new first grade. It is a lot more academics with socialization incorporated. The children must be able to read approximately 100 words and write some words. The curriculum does not allow for a lot of socialization but I work it in because I feel it is important. If you have any specific questions please feel free to contact me.
A.

Congrats on the big new step!
Just remember, the goal of kindergarten is not to cater exactly to the personality of your specific child, but to get all the kids ready for the school system. Your son will do great, and if he has any weaknesses or differences, they will improve, and he'll adjust. Breath deep and be glad he's strong in structure and academics. That's the biggest challenge for most after a life of playing!