Kindergarten question again?

Question

Ok, the first time I asked, everyone read my question wrong. I want to know which time of day is better for children to learn. Morning, or afternoon? My daughter begins kindergarten this fall and I have the choice between a morning class that starts around 8:30, and an afternoon class that starts at 12:15. Please give me your input as to how your children have done with learning if they are in morning or afternoon kindergarten. I think my daughter will do fine either way....I'm just wondering other parents' opinions!

This isn't about her getting on a schedule, either. She already gets up during the week at 6:15 AM because I work, and she goes to daycare. This is ONLY about how she will perform at school based on the time of the class.

Answer 1

I have been teaching in a Montessori preschool for 10 years. We have a morning and an afternoon class. Every year it seems that the afternoon class is more calm and focused. The morning class is louder, less focused, and more social. As a teacher, I prefer the afternoon. Sometimes in the morning I feel a bit rushed and have less energy than I do in the afternoon. My co-teacher feels the same. It always seem that the afternoon class is more eager to learn and brighter. I not sure if it is because of the way the teachers feel, how the children feel, or a little of both.

Parents more often want to put their children in our morning class. We've had a few where one year they had their child in the morning class, the next year switched to the afternoon and loved it. They enjoyed having a quiet morning together, lunch, and then coming to school. My vote would be for the afternoon. Good luck!

Answer 2

This is a question that only YOU can answer because we don't know YOUR child. The answer is different for every child. For some, half-day KG is best and others need a full-day program. For some, morning is better and for others afternoon is better.

When my son started KG, I put him into the afternoon class. I chose this because he was hard to get up in the morning and we didn't really have much of a routine. I figured that this would help us slowly build up to getting up earlier before he started going full day for first grade. He hadn't napped for a long time so that wasn't an issue for us. Also, since I have two younger kids, I thought it might be good for my youngest to be able to nap while he was gone and give me some one-on-one time with my middle child. He did well in the afternoon class. It did kind of break our day up into sections since I am a SAHM.

My middle child is starting morning KG next week. I chose morning this time around because, with two kids in school now, I felt that this would help me be able to still be involved in both classrooms. She's used to getting up in the morning since we've had to do it for the past year for her brother who is now entering 2nd grade. If she is gone to school in the morning then I'll have one-on-one time with my youngest in the mornings and then one-on-one time with my middle when she comes home after lunch time and her sister naps. The way afternoon KG broke up our day kind of stunk, so morning KG will make it easier for us to get out away from the house instead of always waiting on someone to come home or be picked up, etc.

You know your family situation and your child. You have to weigh what YOU think the advantages and disadvantages of the options are for you and make a decision. Since I don't know your child or your family, I have no clue which would work best for you.

Answer 3

I think it depends on your child. Some are not morning children... I know she gets up a 6:15 AM, but is she happy or crabby?? Some like to have a late start.

Me personally, I think that morning class would be better. It will set there day, everyday. And we she goes to Kindergarden then she will have the same as last year..


I hope this helps

Answer 4

Morning is best. Give your child a good breakfast. Once they are awake the are alert more in the morning. If the play and whatever then try to teach them. They may not get much out of it. I have never heard of choosen between morning or afternoon classes. Except for college. Intresting!

Answer 5

Morning! I am a teacher and know most children are more alert and ready to learn at the beginning of their day. As a mom, many of our young ones are still used to rest/nap time in the afternoon. This could hamper a child's attention span after lunchtime.

Answer 6

I taught Kindergarten for 4 years and have taught preschool for 4 years. With my experiences children in my classes have usually learned best in the mornings. That is when the majority of learning takes place. After lunch and nap, they are usually only interested in play time.

Answer 7

A good basis is to analyze what your daughter's internal clock is set like. I have 2 children who never sleep in and who like going to bed early. I have another child that loves to stay up late and sleep in. If your daughter likes to go to bed early - then the am Kinder is the best choice. Traditionally, most people choose am because it is more convenient for their schedules. I can tell you that I am a teacher of older children, and they have a difficult time early in the morning because they don't sleep enough at night. My early classes are always the quietest.

Answer 8

I chose morning for my oldest son so that he would be in the routine of getting off to school early for the rest of his school years. I requested this becasue he is a bit of a sleepyhead in the mornings and I just wanted to get him used to it one year earlier. (I know that isn't an issue for you though)
My youngest son went in the afternoon and I found no differences in their abbilty to learn, or pay attention, or participate. I don't think it really matters. You know your child best, and her moods and actions throughout the day should help guide you. (like does she get hungry at certain times which won't correlate with the school schedule, or does she get sleepy still in the afternoon etc)

Answer 9

Will she be allowed to continue the late start in 1st thru 12th grade? If not, I'd suggest the morning to get her into the routine. We've had no problems with a 7:50 am start for our little ones.

Answer 10

It makes a big difference as long as they get a good nights sleep. It also gets them ready for getting up early in the morning for the 1st grade+.