Pros and Cons of Half-Day and Full-Day Kindergarten
Did your child attend half-day or full-day kindergarten?
If you decided on full day, do you think your child benefitted more than they would have in half-day? If so, how? Were there any drawbacks?
If your child attended half-day, what were the benefits of that choice in terms of your child? Were there any drawbacks?
Thanks for your input!!
IMO, 1/2 day is stupid and a waste of time. They can't learn much in 2 1/2 hours. And it breaks my heart to see kids struggle with full day 1st grade because they're not used to being in school all day.
Thanks for your feedback. It's what I'm looking for!
Quoting coolmommy2x:
DS went to full day, private K. I loved it! He learned a lot and was very ready for 1st grade (public) both in terms of academics and maturity/being able to function in an all day program. DD went to public K which was 1/2 day. She was not as prepared academically for 1st grade like DS was (she'd been in daycare and full day pre-K so that wasn't an issue).
IMO, 1/2 day is stupid and a waste of time. They can't learn much in 2 1/2 hours. And it breaks my heart to see kids struggle with full day 1st grade because they're not used to being in school all day.
My oldest did full-day and my twins did half-day (only becuase there were budget cuts and they didn't offer any full-day).
I liked the full-day MUCH better. They covered all the same topics but had more time to work with them and also had time to do activities that take a little longer. When my twins were in half-day, they didn't enough time to cover things so the in-class math work turned into homework which seemed like a lot for my twins when they were expected to other homework for kindergarten. They have less homework as a 1st grader than they did in kindergarten. Now, it's not like this for all the schools or even individual classes. I think it was also the teachers.
Besides that, my girls were ready for full-day. That had been in preschool prior to that and could last the entire day. Some kids that were in my oldest daughter's full day Kindergarten should have done half-day because they were so used to naps and still needed it.
We had no choice in the matter. Our elementary school does full day only. One of the very few that does it in our region. I think she benefited more since they could cover more material meaning less homework. They had a monthly family project and reading every night for homework. She is in 1st grade now and since kinder was full day there was no transition period since she was used to it already. They start PE, Art, Library, Music in kinder as well and from what i understand not all schools in country do that. They had 3 recesses at least to run around and socialize with friends.
Quoting MentorMom1:
Thanks for your feedback. It's what I'm looking for!
Quoting coolmommy2x:
DS went to full day, private K. I loved it! He learned a lot and was very ready for 1st grade (public) both in terms of academics and maturity/being able to function in an all day program. DD went to public K which was 1/2 day. She was not as prepared academically for 1st grade like DS was (she'd been in daycare and full day pre-K so that wasn't an issue).
IMO, 1/2 day is stupid and a waste of time. They can't learn much in 2 1/2 hours. And it breaks my heart to see kids struggle with full day 1st grade because they're not used to being in school all day.
we only have half day kinder. the benefits were that he had time to adjust.. he was 3 half days in prek, so 5 half days was a good step up. we had plenty of time after school for trips and playdates, and learning stuff other than what they covered in school... the only downside was it put a time constraint on field trips (schools fault, really).
he transitioned wonderfully to 1st grade and full days, no issues at all... they either transition in kinder or 1st... that extra year really makes difference in maturity.
The year after they changed to full time. So DD will be full time. I put her in prek to get the same benefit as her brother. Her teacher said she knew everything at the beginning of the year.
I like half day as a transition, wether it is kinder or prek.
Quoting SewingMamaLele:we only have half day kinder. the benefits were that he had time to adjust.. he was 3 half days in prek, so 5 half days was a good step up. we had plenty of time after school for trips and playdates, and learning stuff other than what they covered in school... the only downside was it put a time constraint on field trips (schools fault, really).
he transitioned wonderfully to 1st grade and full days, no issues at all... they either transition in kinder or 1st... that extra year really makes difference in maturity.
My twins adjusted fine between half day kindergarten and full-day 1st grade too.
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Her school was structured so most formal instruction was done in the am. After lunch they had specials (art,gym,music,reading buddies) and rotations which was more learning through play and spending time on what they learned in the am, but applying it in a more fun or hands on manner.
I'm glad we chose full day. She was very well prepared for first grade and is doing great.
??QOTD?? 6/17/13
- MentorMom1
on Feb. 12, 2013 at 3:35 PM