Do you think we expect too much academically from kindergartners?

Question

Do you think this puts too much pressure on four and five year olds? What happens to children who are not as mature socially?

According to California state content standards (what students are required to know at each level from K-12), one thing kindergartners will know how to do is write a paragraph by the end of the year--a paragraph! Of course, content standards may vary from state to state.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/

Answer 1

Yes and no. They raised the academic standards but failed to address all the issues. I think that there should be a kindergarten readiness test to determine if a kid is socially AND academically ready for kindergarten. Case in point: my daughter (birthday in June) had no problem in a private, academic kindergarten. My son, whose b-day is in Nov., is way more immature than she was. He also had speech therapy. Now, the school district (and this is CA's rule) says that since he qualifies to enter kindergarten, they will not pay for speech therapy if I keep him out. Therefore, they think it's better for him to enter K socially unready and probably not do well at all, in order to receive speech services. We're keeping him out an additional year (so when he starts K he'll be 5 almost 6, not 4 almost 5). Some kids need another year to mature, but when services are cut off as ours were, parents might be forced to put them in when the kids are not ready. Therefore I don't think a "cutoff" age works, a readiness assessment is what would work.

Answer 2

I think kindergartners have the ability to learn all the information that is necessary to write a paragraph. Remember, they are more than likely six years old by the end of the year. At this age, children have tremendous aptitude for learning.
That being said....
Children should be able to learn at their own pace rather than with the masses. But this is not a perfect world. Unless you can afford to send your child to a Montessori school for their entire grade school career, they will be expected to meet the standard. Is the standard to tough? For some it is, for most it isn't. Those who struggle need to have the support of their parents as well as the school system. We can't blame the school system because little Janey doesn't understand a concept, yet her mom and or dad do nothing to help her academically. Parents need to be involved in their children's education from the very beginning, teaching good study habits and providing an environment that fosters and supports learning.

Answer 3

In Australia kinder is for 4-5 year olds but the most they may expect from them is to be able to write their name. My kids kinder didn't even encourage this, much to our annoyance. The focus is on socialising them so they can get along with others and helping with fine and gross motor skills. So no pressure here just lot's of fun. School is soon enough for or that, Kinder should be about developing the skills to get along with others so they do well with other kids at school.
They haven't suffered for it. They are working 6-12 months ahead of where they should be. Education should not be the focus at this tender age. Teach a 5 year old 1 years work and I believe a 6 year old could pick it up in 6 months. The older they are the easier it is to sit and focus for long lengths of time. I'm all for school age start to be 6. Before this should just be fun. They have 13 years at least of education ahead of them. Let them enjoy those first 5 years been kids

Answer 4

Wow! Today was my son's first day of first grade and we were looking for his friends from last year and they were no where to be found. When I picked him up a while ago, I saw a lot of his friends in Kindergarten. I was talking to one of the mother's and she said her child was held back because he couldn't spell ten sight words. Now I would understand holding a child back if they can't spell ten three letter words after a year of school, but a whole paragragh is a little much. I grew up in California and I don't remember having to do that much in Kindergarten and I graduated high school early with honors. I think it is great that children are getting more work, but it doesn't help when the parents don't or won't put in the time to help their kids study. The schools should have more programs to educate the parents on how to help their kids study and offer tutoring for the kids. Also, how can the parents help their children when they don't know the material themselves?

Answer 5

I do not believe we put to much pressure on our children in European cultures they start learning a different language in preschool. I think it's important to have high standards because if we have low standards then children won't feel the need to work hard and won't end up with a very good education. Education starts early...you have to start preparing children some time for the next 13 years of their live. Great question!

Answer 6

No I don't think we challenge our children in general enough. Other countries are surpassing our children in all area's. Not to mention teaching our children respect, parents have let this go to the wayside.

Children should be left behind and it should not be used as a tool for making children seem stupid. Some children and adults are just not mentally ready for different challenges.

I think the majority of our school systems and teachers are too slack. Too many things are dismissed or overlooked.

Answer 7

i agree with pushing our children, but not setting them up for failure. i cannot believe that they are expected to write a paragraph! i work in a 3rd grade classroom and those kids can't even write paragraphs! i think getting through the day without getting into a fight and not needing a nap is accomplishment for 5 year olds.

Answer 8

Sure.....they can write a paragraph! At my kid's school they are journaling in KG after the winter break. They use creative spelling, but they are writing paragraphs and stories. I don't think that's unrealistic. KG is much different now than when we were kids.

Answer 9

There are 3 concerns, her teachers, her vanity and her social status. Her teachers might want to get a advance from protecting her decrease back, she might want to bypass into 1st grade fairly information a thanks to study. As for social status, because the youngest baby in her grade and the single battling the lecturers, she will be able to be relegated to subservient play positions (at the same time as taking section in domicile she will be able to be the youngster, at the same time as taking section in college she will be able to be the pupil and so on) giving her little probability to detect strategies to lead. This consistent dominance can be a blow to her vanity. Then there is the conceit of being held decrease back. I would not should be an problem in case you and your husband basically agree and she begins the position she needs to be, repeating Kindergarten. she will be able to sense gentle with the ambience, the time table and the bypass, she would have an more desirable person-pleasant time getting to carry close and get more desirable out of it. the basically aspect left that would not factor out that she should be held decrease back is dad, will he spend her existence feeling like she is below she should be because of it, or can he get over it and do what's stunning for her? we've an same decision with our son, he will be turning 5 in December, properly previous the reduce off yet he can already study so we are not positive the position he will slot in college. i visit comprehend needing her to slot properly. i might want to vote carry her decrease back yet get Dad on board.

Answer 10

No. At that young age their little minds are like sponges and they are able to absorb more information at a higher rate than adults. Especially in languages and sciences. Also their curiosity and imagination enable them to accept new ideas more freely and not over-think the information.