One website that I find helpful that provides daily clips
from publications around the United States is Early Education Initiative,
http://earlyed.newamerica.net. The Early
Education Initiative seeks to promote a high-quality and continuous system of
early care and education for all children, birth to age 8. The organization provides helpful insights of
issues or trends going on in different states. The website also produces a daily newsletter called Early Ed News Clips.
One interesting article that I read on the website
http://earlyed.newamerica.net that is an issue "The Half-Day Kindergarten-Common Core
Mismatch." In this article it
discuss that children who attend a half-day kindergarten program is still
expected to meet common core standards but do not have enough time to fit the
curriculum in each day. "Children
enrolled in half-day kindergarten receive less instructional time, likely
experience a narrowed curriculum, have less time for experimentation and
exploration, and enjoy fewer opportunities for play" (Bornfrend, 2012). As many states go to follow Common Core standards children in Half-Day programs are not getting enough instructional time to prepare them for the standards.
Reference
L., Bornfreund. The Half-Day Kindergarten-Common Core
Mismatch. New America Foundation
(2012). Retrieved from: http://earlyed.newamerica.net/publications/articles/2012/the_half_day_kindergarten_common_core_mismatch_74939
Thank you for sharing this website. I will be sure to check it out!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this website. I find it interesting in the article you cited that there is advocacy for full day kindergarten so that children will be better prepared to meet core standards, rather than advocating for half-day programs so children can go home and play. We have taken play out of early childhood and placed emphasis on meeting the needs of the standards.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much play children actually get in half-day programs, if they are trying to meet the standards?
Lorren-
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed checking out the website and reading about your issue. The state I received my teaching license in does not make Kindergarten mandatory for all children. And school districts only have to provide half-day programs. I have never thought how these two choice effect the national standards for all children. I am sure these types of policies are not taken into consideration but yet, some familiesdon't have the option and have to send their Kindergarten children to school only half day. I am sure there is not much time for play at all! Thanks for sharing!
Victoria Leming
Lorren, Thanks for sharing your website
ReplyDeleteLorren,
ReplyDeleteReading at your post, and reviewing the website, I noticed how high the standards and expectation for these children are, even if they participate half day program. We have learned how important the parent's role is in the education of their children, and in this case, we need to count with rich experiences coming from these children's families. At least the half-day program gives children the opportunity for social development skills, and opportunities to learn how to behave within the classroom community.
Great point to take in consideration!
Hi Lorren, I have different feelings about full day kindergarten. My daughter is in Kindergarten this year for a full day everyday. I was concerned at the beginning of the year because their class only has one 20 minute recess and a 20 minute lunch break. They also did not have an afternoon rest time to begin the year. My daughter comes home every evening with a stack of papers they completed at school and homework. My daughter had the experience of being involved in preschool but I can not imagine what it would be like if she didn't have that experience. By the end of the week, she is physically and emotionally exhausted. Thursday and Friday morning are always a battle as she usually ends up in tears for one reason or another and I end up frustrated. She is on a schedule and goes to bed early every evening which also lessens the amount of time that we get to spend together. It is not a good situation. She is doing well in school but at what cost to her physical and emotional wellbeing?
ReplyDelete