Half Day Kindergarten

Updated on September 19, 2008
M.A. asks from Oak Lawn, IL
14 answers

Can anyone relate to this? My daughter started kindergarten 2 weeks ago. The school she goes to offers full and half day kindergarten. She went to a pre-k class and did very well. I signed her up for half day because I think full day is to long for a 5 year old (she just turned 5 in August). She is the only student that is half day. So far I have not been pressured to change her to full day and I don't thing I should be: they shouldn't offer it if they want kids to be all day. I do not plan to switch her either. My son has her old preschool teacher and she thinks full day is too long. She understands she is the only one to go home early and she does not want to be full day. She leaves school at lunch time. The full day kids have lunch, recess, extended recess, nap time and extended art.

It does not bother me that she is half day, the comments other parents say to me make me mad. One such comment was (sarcastically said)"So when are you going to be a mean M. and put your daughter in full day".

I guess I am just venting, but does anyone have the same problem.

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for the comments. I just hate when people feel the need to make comments about the situation. Anyway, I love the time alone I have with my daughter, she never really had it because I worked until her brother was born and she was only 1 1/2 at the time. Her brother goes to preschool 3x a week in the afternoon so she at least gets that time alone with me. At home I do have workbooks and print worksheets off the internet for her to work on, she also plays educational games on the computer at home and somedays at the library (she rarely gets to enjoy the library because her brother has an attention span of about 5 minutes there), she loves to paint and draw and we read everyday, she also is in a dance class thru the park district.

Again, Thank your everyone :)

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from Chicago on

I also agree that some people get very defensive about their choices and it can come out when someone is doing something different.

The school my son just started to attend (Jr Kindy - private) has a huge variety of options for timing - from 2x a week 1/2 days (which is what I have him in) to 5x a week full days (from latest 9 am to 6 pm). There were a lot of schools that I wanted him to get into but I refused to put him in full days 5 days a week, or even 1/2 days 5 days a week, because I think that will be too much for him. However, there are a lot of parents who work and need it to be full day, and the kids are used to it because prior to that they were in daycare all day. So long as it works for the family, other people should just let it go!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Chicago on

Not to be mean but...

Your happy, she's happy and who the heck cares what the other parents think!!!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Chicago on

She's your child, and it's your (and her) decision! If she is happy to go 1/2 day, then keep her in 1/2 day! It's all about the readiness of the child. If her opinion (or yours) changes mid-year, ask the school if she can switch to full day at that point.

As for readiness, my child has been full day in Pre-K going on a second year now. For HER, it is not "too long". She loves it! She is engaged, socialized, and was ready for it. But that is her. There are other kids in her class that weren't ready for it yet.

Whatever you do will be a good decision. You can't go wrong with Kindergarten 1/2 or full day.

Good luck!
M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from Chicago on

Don't you think that maybe she was just trying to make conversation?

If another M.'s comments about my child bother me -- and since my daughter is autistic, I hear plenty of them -- I check myself first. Usually the remarks upset me because of some vulnerability or issue on which I have to work.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Chicago on

As a parent you make the decisions that's best for your child and we do it without having to give another person/parent explanations for our choices. All children are not the same and while others utilize the full day for their kids, it's not what you have decided to do for yours. You don't owe them an explanation for this. Most children at that age already have social skills to adapt and move to the next level and perhaps your child does. When children have seperation issues it is time to let them interact with children their own ages to adjust and compete acdemically. If this is your choice not to let your child adjust to a full day at school - stick with the choice that you've made that benefits your child and that choice should be made with the best interest of your child not what you feel is best. I'm not saying your choice is wrong - but is the child ready for more and the challenge is not presented. I hope it all works out.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Chicago on

Oh my gosh, you sound just like I did when my daughter went to school for the first time...this is what I heard...oh my child is ready(hate that one), they learn so much more if they go full day, yeah! more story time, art, gym, which are all good things if a child can handle physically a full day or desires it...what child desires it, unless of course they end up in day care the rest of the day...then of course it is the obvious choice. Just think of the things you and your daughter can spend doing. HOw about a trip to the zoo, museum, gymnastics, without the crowds, park, and sunshine, and better yet a free nap at your home. The most important time is time with mommy.Does she feel bad when she leaves? Or is she excited about coming home? Maybe she should decide. This may change in time as full day kindergarten becomes a free option, but in our district, you have to pay for it. What I have heard after talking to K teachers is, the only difference in the kids going 1/2 day and full day is that their stamina to handle a full day schedule in first grade is a little weaker. But she said that that adjusts within the first month of school. With your child having an August birthday, you made the best decision. She is young. Remember there are many at that birthdate, that did not even send their kids to school. I know my son has a late July birthday...and the cut off was Aug. 1...so I decided to wait and put him in the next year. At which point, I then put him into all day because he was an older kindergartener. My daugher by the way who did 1/2 day is completely keeping up with her classmates. In my oppinion she is doing very well. Could she have done better...I doubt it. Also, if you are worried about it as far as her academic progress...give her some computer time, read her a ton of books, and let her go crazy with the paint and paintbrush, which by the way is great for handwriting, some libraries have afternoon storytime, go to the grocery store and have her count apples...there is so much you can do with her at home and out in the community. Your one on one time is so much more important. Also, consider the amount of time your child's teacher will honestly be able to spend with your child directly. Do you realize how big of a trend home schooling is becoming. I am fortunate to be in a good district, but I often consider it. M.'s who do send their kids to full day are not mean, as the M. said. But if their kids are stating it....Hmmmmm!!! I wonder what that means. Hang in there. Follow your own heart...and ignore the other comments. Many are parents who are burnt out. ( I think I am becoming one of them, some have to or want to work, some have no choice because someone is telling them they have to) Do you know that my mother in law made a comment to me about someone else...and I know she wasn't meaning me, (at least on that one) that people have more kids because they do not want to work...being a M. is tough work...There are days I threaten to my kids I am going to go back.LOL...but I am a teacher of kids with special needs...so I kind of like my world. I feel for any parent who has a child with special needs, full time is one situation where I would definately put a child into full day. The structure, and the extra services are necessary and for the parents and family involved, needed.There are days that I waste worrying about doing the right things...and how others feel about it. It can put you in a bad place, where I often end....so I am going to pull you up....you made a Great decision !!!! Go with it !!! Go M. !!! Go M.!!!LOL

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from Chicago on

Sounds like they have a bigger problem with their own choice. They shouldn't take that out on you!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.B.

answers from Chicago on

Don't let it bother you. Sometimes, people say things before they fully evalualte the situation. I had a working M. from my daughters pre-k ask me "What do you do with yourself all day now that your son is in Kindergarten? You can only clean the house so many times! I'd go crazy if I was home all day with my kids!" It bothered me at first, but then I just have to remember that my life works for me, and I don't have to justify it to anyone.
My son also started 1/2 day kindergaten in a private Catholic School. We weighed the options of 1/2 day vs. full day several times and when it came down to it, even his Kindergarten teacher told us that he has the opprtunity to be home with us during the day to do it. If you don't feel the school community is supporting you in your desicion, it's not too late to find a new program somewhere else.

There are 30 in his class and only 8 of them are 1/2 day. He is on the yourger side of the school calendar as well, but is also a bit more advanced academically than most of his classmates. At first he wanted to go full day. Now after 2 weeks he's also glad that he comes home. He's enjoying being in the classroom setting, but the work they're doing is pretty boring to him.

Some people will always have the view that children do better learning from others and that school is always the best place for them to be. This may work for them, but you're allowed to have your own view too.

I have always been the parent however, that seeks out activies and experiences for my children to partcipate in when we're together, and we're gratful that we can still go on outings togehter during the week. And the school year is a great time to do that! While the rest of his class was at school last week, we were at the Zoo observing the butterflies up close before they head to warmer climates for the winter(science, and math). We had the place all to ourselves and my son was able to ask the zoo keepers some really good questions. My son and daughter helped to plan what we would visit and then used the map to find our way to that particular animal home (geography). We also got to talk about the different contintents and types of people that would also live where the animals were orginally from (social studies). We had a great time and learned alot! We are contemplating the option of Homeschooling next year, but I still like the idea of him attending school too. (that's a whole other post LOL!)

So the next time someone makes a comment about her not being in full day, just explain to them that you feel that there are still so many outings and learning activities that you can be doing as a family that you would not be able to do if she was in school all day. You're very fortunate to be a SAHM. We're not SAHM's because we enjoy cooking, and cleaning and having "alone" time. We stay at home because we want to be there for our kids and help them live their lives to their fullest potentials. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Chicago on

My kids are much older, but I would recommend a full-day if you can. The academic expectations for 1st grades have drastically changed. In order to meet the academic expectations, the majority of the skills a child is expected to have starting out in 1st grade is learned from kindergarten. This would be a great advantage to your child. If you decide not too, it will not be the end of the world. You may see that your child may need a little more time to play catch up, or to adapt to the 1st grade. Hope this helps

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.P.

answers from Chicago on

ARrrrrggghhhh! Those will also be the same parents who will jump for joy, EVERY YEAR and "High-five" each other when their kids board the school bus after summer vacation. Yes, there are those days when, like any parent, I could dream of shipping my kids off for a day, but....I enjoy my kids and and love having them home (when they are home!) I was a 1/2 day/K parent too. I loved the time with my child. Great age! Don't worry about those OTHER parents. You will encounter them throughout your child's life. The full time kids may get lunch/recess nap time...but, your lucky daughter gets YOU! She'll be in full-time school soon enough - just look at that nasty parent, next time and tell her how blessed you are to have your daughter home for 1/2 days. I'm sure some kids ARE so ready for a full day (my friend's daughter had a November b-day and a greater maturity level...she was very ready for full-time) ...I don't believe that to be the case for everyone...c'mon - if they have to have NAP TIME in school????? I'm sure your decision was based on what was best for you, your child and your family - never a need to justify that! What a good M. you are! Kudos to you!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Chicago on

Please don't respond to an unkind comment with one of your own. Trust that you're making the right decision for your daughter and your family. I don't know if this is the case at your school, but keep in mind that it's possible that some families are not able to do a half day kindergarten (if both parents work full time). While it's not okay for another parent to say judgemental things to you, sometimes it comes out that way because of their own frustrations (they would like to put their child in half day but cannot).

As for the full-day vs. half-day question....as I said, do what's right for your daughter. Maybe half-day is the best for her, but keep an open mind that maybe full-day might be the better option. Don't switch her to full-day (or keep her in half-day) because of anyone what else (other parents, friends or family)thinks. But make the decision based on what is best for your child and your immediate family.

And do your best to ignore the rude people

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.D.

answers from Chicago on

If you know in your heart you are making the right decision for your child, then go with your instinct.

I work full-time, so that's why I was happy about All-Day Kindergarten. It was better for my child's development than a 'boring' after school daycare.

I do want to offer one piece of advice however: Continue to work with your child at home in the afternoon or on the weekends so she is ready for 1st grade.

The expectations for 1st grade ARE higher than they used to be (my youngest just started 1st grade, my oldest is in 6th) and I know a few kids in my daughter's class who were asked to repeat Kindergarten last year.

Simple fun things you can do to review when she is home with you:

-ABC refrigerator magnets. Put a few 3-letter words on the fridge and see if she notices/spots the word and can read the words to you.
-Ask her to help you "write" your grocery list. See if she can attempt to spell words by sounding them out on her own.
-Homemade index flashcards of the "Site Words" they learn in class. You can give her a 3-5 second time limit on each card, like teachers do when they test in school.

Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Chicago on

Next time one of them comments about Her being half day...ask WHY they put their child in full day? Is it because they like the 'free-time"? Or maybe they just don't want the responcibility of ensuring their child stay 'up to date' in the class room.

I actually had the opposite problem. I put my Daughter in full day. She tested in at 2nd grade reading level, but has NO social skills...I just couldn't keep her mind active. Nor could I help her develope the social skills she would need in life. (she is an only child....)
I got so much flax from friends and family, that I just gave up talking to them about it.

We all worry if our decisions are the right ones for our childern, we just have to keep faith, and do what we think is right.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Chicago on

Our school district started offering full-day K this year. I was not a supporter (I also think it's a very long day for a 5yo, and there were other reasons I had doubts about it, funding primarily, which is already turning out to be a problem). What was amazing to me was how nasty the other mothers were about it. In the public comments (I did not comment, but was just watching) people implied that the people who supported it were elitist, racist, and all sorts of nasty things. That they were unsupportive of working moms (I'm a working M. myself.)

I also think people get really defensive about their own choices, always, and so they lash out at people who make other choices.

Anyway, to answer one of your questions, Illinois state law requires that districts that go to full-day MUST allow a half-day option. That's why your school "offers" it but makes it unpleasant for people who choose it. In our district, they talked about front-loading the day with academics and putting all the fun stuff in the afternoon. I'm not sure what ended up happening with that, but it's basically punitive to parents who don't want the full-day option.

As for how to answer the other parents - I've found that although I tend to be pretty open and friendly, sometimes schoolyard moms can really be meanspirited about turning that back on you. Just be confident that you know what's best for your family, and maybe they know what's best for theirs, and that's ok.

A lot of people think more and earlier is better when it comes to school, and this is just the first of many similar conversations you'll have because that is the popular trend right now.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches