My husband is in the military and our daughter will be starting Kindergarten next year. In California, Kindergarten is only 3 1/2 hours a day...here in Georgia it is from 8am - 3pm! Are the children who have longer days learning more?
Jax
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nevada it's 2 hrs and about 45 mins or so. but we have the option to pay for a full day of kindergarten for about $300 a month.
jerrie
I spend a lot of time volunteering in my daughter's Kindergarten class and reading and writing on the first grade level is more the norm than the exception. I agree with others who wrote that there is so much more to Kindergarten than this. All kids need experience problem solving with their peers, following directions, transitioning throughout the day, etc. etc. My daughter has done things in art and music that she is extremely proud of. She's learned so much about culture from being around her peers. Personally, I'm a fan of 1/2 day Kindergarten. After all, they're going there 5 days a week and they're only 5 years old!
emily day
I am also in Illinois -- and it is the mandate of the school district that decides if they want full or 1/2 day sessions. Our session is 2 hours and 45 minutes - and I am also in a suburb of Chicago.
Most of our kids aren't ready for a full day of learning at 5. It's difficult to learn to sit in circle for 35 minutes and pay attention to what is being taught. As the one poster said - their afternoon is more play than academic because the little ones can't attend too long. Our 1/2 day session is almost all academics, very little pencil to paper - more hands on learning, and very little play time or free time. Ideally it would be nice to offer a full day as many of these children need it, but for now our district can't afford it. Yet I hear it may soon be a state issue.
Shannon R
It's not the state, but the school district that determines full or half day kindergarten. My son had full day kindergarten last year and I'm so glad he did. I did notice that he didn't get homework, whereas the kids who had half day did. I don't think he learned more , as you said. I know from the schedule he had that paperwork was done in the morning and then after lunch was gym, art, music ,etc., and rest time. Hope that helps!
DS
I think it's important not to overwhelm your child with too much at a young age. I live in California too and I only had 4 hours of Kindergarten a day and I'm getting straight A's, so I don't think you have anything to worry about. Also, it's important for you to realize that it's not just about education. Kindergarten is where you develop skills like people skills etc, and it's important that you take it slowly and be with your child a lot so they don't get overwhelmed.