Parents what do you think of our education system in regards to kindergarten?

Question

I mean like if you want to send your child to preschool they have to pass a hearing test otherwise they can't be enrolled. In kindergarten the children are suppossed to know how to read and write before they can be enrolled and teachers hold the kids back if they're deaf or have an LD. LD is learning disibility. In kindergarten children are taught writing, math, geography, history, earth science, reading, and government. I mean come on no kindergartener is going to pay attention to government or history! Don't you think as parents that our education system is not letting our children have the freedom to just be kids anymore? In some states they're trying to ban recess because it cuts into "Vaulable class time". What happened to the days when all kids were taught in kindergarten was art, writing/reading and math? Are we so obssessed with our children being good in school that we're going to forget that just being a kid is important as well? What will thet ban next lunch?

This is Ohio school system. But I find the fact that educators are willing to do this this stupid.

Answer 1

Yes living in Ohio myself, I know how you feel
I think its down right stupid for 5 year olds to know about our government, when in fact you have to be 18 to vote.
These children are being raised these days to be "little adults" no play time at all. Kindergarten used to be a fun place , where you would learn your abc's and 123. Now they have to know how to count to 1000 on THEIR own, . They need to know their full names, their families ( living at home ) full name and HOW to spell it. Along with where they live and how long they have lived there. Not only do they have a hearing TEST to complete but everything above I mentioned. If these children are already that smart to know how to read, do math, history, and our government issues, why start them out in Kindergarten? Its money, and Teachers want to whine and cry that their salary is not that high. Why should it be, we as parents have taught OUR children everything the class rooms SHOULD be teaching.Another thing, while we're on this subject, I remember being in kindergarten many, many years ago, and we had snack, which consist of milk and a few cookies. Now for snack we HAVE to send a water bottle and a fruit cup. These teachers and Staff think that children dont NEED to have nothing but water. Thats why there was always water fountains in school. And to top it off, You pay so much money each year for your child, Books ect.... Why in the world am I having to pay out every month for Paper towel, kleenex's, soap, glue, markers, crayons, and a bigger book bag?

Answer 2

I think overly academic kindergartens are harmful. It doesn't really matter what subjects are taught- it's okay to teach those subjects to kids if it's on a really basic level. Like counting is math, even learning "the place we live in is called Ohio" is geography, etc. It just has to be really really basic, no tests, etc. I don't think kindergartners should have to know how to read or write. Recognizing letters would be good, though.

I would like to homeschool. Recess is very important and although they haven't banned lunch, they've robbed it of most of its nutritional value by the things they serve.

I think kids should be kids. Fortunately any parent can decide not to send their kids to school at all. What really makes me sick is a private school (Challenger) where they do all that stuff even earlier than the public schools. I agree- let them be kids.

Answer 3

I am in Ohio also & I have 2 children that went to kindergarten last year. They did not have to know how to read & write before they went. They did not learn anything like geography or history or government. One of them DOES have a learning disability and he is in Readiness First Grade this year because he was not ready for regular First Grade. They have recess EVERY day even in first grade & when the weather is nice they usually go out for recess twice. What school system are you referring to?

Answer 4

Where in the world do you live that they are expected to read before entering KG? Here the kids enter school at all different levels. Some are reading, some know letters, some know sounds, some don't know any letter sounds yet. They are expected to be reading SOME by the end of KG. They should know how to recognize their own name in writing before starting school and be able to write it by the end of first quarter.

The first quarter is dedicated to teaching the letters and sounds and learning to write them. They begin introducing sight words after that and should be reading very short and simple books by the end of the year.

They work on counting and number recognition and one-to-one correspondence and should be doing basic math (some easy addition and subtraction) by the end of the year.

I don't think they do any geography here. As for history and government, what counts as that "social studies" portion of KG is very simple. Discussion of holidays, recognition of authorities in the community, etc. (Who was MLK when MLK day rolls around. What are you thankful for when Thanksgiving comes. Wear RW&B for Veterens Day, etc. Mock elections on Election Day. SIMPLE!)

As for science, they do a few experiments like a volcano, they grow grass seeds or bean plants or something and practice measuring things.

Answer 5

I don't know where you live, but here children don't get taught those things and don't have to be able to read before starting kindergarten. They learn math, writing, reading, science, history, art, and music.

I agree with the first answer. Homeschool. You can teach them from whatever curriculum you prefer, teach them the subjects you think they should know, and they can learn at their own pace--not the pace of 30 other children.

Answer 6

I am very sorry that your kindergarten structure is so intense, that is not good for such little children. it is not like that here in Oregon, My daughter juststarted KG and she is having fun and learning.

Answer 7

I say homeschool. Recess is never banned, subjects can be made interesting and you go at the childs pace for each subject.

Answer 8

Well here they have already deemed what you can and can not send your child to eat for parties and snacks they only sell water and I have heard they are trying to ban milk from the cafeteria, milk??