HOw can K not be mandatory?
ammommy wrote: Is kindergarten mandatory where you live? It's not here, and I don't see how kids can go into 1st grade without this preperation. One of the neighbors didn't send their DD to Kindergarten and she is struggling in 1st grade. She went in barely knowing her ABC's, could count to only 10, and certainly didn't read. She is so far behind that I feel bad her. If she had gone to K or if her parents had worked with her, she would be fine. Given everything that is now expected in 1st grade, how can K not be mandatory?
MommyToAshley replied: It's mandatory here. At least I am pretty sure it is, I've never heard of anyone not sending their child to Kindergarten unless they were homeschooling.  Even if it weren't mandatory, I'd still send Ashley.
ediep replied: yup, its mandatory here, but preschool isn't. If a child goes into Kinder without going to preschool, they usually start out already behind the others
gr33n3y3z replied: It is here also in NJ
Boys r us replied: It's mandatory here too. Although, I will say, Tanner learned nothing in K that he didn't know at 3! He was very bored which I think set him off on the wrong taste in his mouth regarding school. In our area, they want kids to know they're abc's & be able to count to 20 and know their shapes before starting KINDERGARTEN. But you know..it seems they spent all year doing those things. so I don't know?!?!
I do think K is very important b/c it gives them a chance to be socialized before the real learning begins!
ammommy replied: Well, I knew Indiana was backwards in a lot of things 
3_call_me_mama replied: It's not mandatory here in Vt either. It is mandatory to send them to school by their sixth birthday. But depending on the screeening is wher ethey are placed. Most kindergartens aren't teaching ABC and 123 at least not here, the are just socializing kids. Kids here are still learnign tehalphabet in first grade. I remember when I was student teaching we were teachign teh first grade class the same things that Cameron knew when he was 2. Counting to 20 the letters adn sounds they made, 12 basic colors and shapes. The test early in first grade to see which of these things they knwo and what they need to work on. It might be differnt now, this was 4 years ago but dont think it has changed that much. Depending on teh age cutoff I may homeschool for grade K (if not all school years) and have him start first grade rather than go to public school for K btu we'll see when the time comes 
amymom replied: It's not mandatory in NYS. But Most if not all parents send there kids. I really thought it wasn't mandatory throughout the US. I know I sent my kids to a private school and since we both worked the tuition for K was tax deductable like daycare costs.
A&A'smommy replied: it is DEFINITLY mandatory here you have to know how to count to 100 before you can go 
Hillbilly Housewife replied: This is ridiculous. I think that kids should go to school based on their readyness...not their age.
Here, kids start kindergarden (which is mandatory) at 5. Where we used to live, it was 4. They learn their numbers, their letters, shapes, colors...basic crap that my kids already KNOW! So they're going to waste a whole year being bored, just because I spend more time with my kids showing them stuff than the average parent.  My kids are going to private school - and the only reason is because the private school takes the kids in at 4, and they have extra stuff,like spanish instead of english, music lessons etc....
Sorry - I don't mean to offend anyone here.... I really don't. But if by 5 years old, the kid doesn't know the letters or numbers at least to 10 - unless the child is mentally handicapped in any way - or has a learning disability - there is a PROBLEM, and it's not with the child.
Zach can't read - but he can recgnize letters. Emilie can't say her whole alphabet properly - but she knows most of it - and she's not yet 2. I'm not saying my kids are advanced - but let's face it - if they know this stuff now - what will they have left to learn in K? or in first grade for that matter? They socialize great - say their pleases and thankyous without being promted too much... they ask for things nicely, they wash their hands befor eating and after the bathroom without being reminded too often... I'm sure by this summer Zach ewill be able to write his name a read a bit - he recognizes a few words, like his own name and that of his sisters, mom and dad... and he can write already write a few letters. He knows a few basic addition answers... frig... he'll skip right to grade 3 at 4 years old!!!!
sorry again if I offended anyone - not my intention... i just don't like the fact that my kids will be held behind their potential just to conform to the 'norm'.
maestra replied: In Az, school is compulsory (required by law) after the child's sixth birthday. Which means that kindergarten is not required. If we find out about a child who is not in school and should be, we do send the police, however, there are many times when we don't find out. I just got a kindergartener this week who just started school for the first time. School started the second week of August.
I teach way way way more than socialization in kindergarten. But socialization is important- so is the idea that when an adult calls you, you shouldn't run away from the teachers or principal ( I have a little boy that does this- can you tell it's driving me nuts! ). My students are expected to be reading by the time they leave- but to do that we do work on letters and their sounds, and numbers/counting to 20. So far we've studied together about 12 letters and their corresponding sounds (although during writing time the kids break apart the words they want to write and have to identify the letter that makes the sound, so they're actually learning more than that). There are many that know more, and others (about 1/4 of my class) that haven't really caught on to the whole "letter thing" yet. It's just their developmental stage- quite common at 5. Which doesn't mean to say that they can't or don't learn a lot of letters at 5, just that it can be common for some of them to learn them slower, because they just aren't ready developmentally for that concept. Most (but not all) of those kids tend to catch on in first grade. In other countries- like New Zealand, they don't even teach literacy until the child is 7 or 8. And they have the highest literacy rates in the world.
What does amaze me though is that Jaci can count to 13 at 3, but I get kids that can't count to 10 in whatever language they speak. And we didn't drill her, just counted all the time when we did stuff.
moped replied:
YIKES!!!!!! I guess I am a bad parent because Jack is almost 18 months and can't even talk yet.......................I don't think it is my fault that he doesn't. I spend all sorts of time with him, but I am not going to push learning on him at his tender age. When he shows interest with a book, we go thru the book together. SImple stuff I suppose
If Emilie is that smart before 2 she should skip a few grades.......................
I am not starting anything either - PROMISE. But saying that you spend more time with your kids than the average parent is rather harsh.....
mom2tripp replied:
ITA with you Jen---I spend lots of time with Tripp also. VERY HARSH words Rocky you should watch your tone 
TANNER'S MOM replied: Well I feel there are alot of different ways parents teach children. And I also think there are children whose parents don't know how to teach or have no education of thier own. Those children must go to school at 5 whether they can count to 10 or not.
When my kids went to school we were given a list of things they needed to accomplish for their safety and to make the change easier. Things like name, address, phone number for safety. Writing name numbers and letters for learning.
I am a full time working mother of 4..and he may not have all the ATTENTION other kids get. But when I do spend my time with him..and at that age sitting and working with him and teaching him.. he got all my attention. Not just me being burnt out and tired. Which is what I try to accomplish in my house. For me it is quality not always quanity.
Tanner changed alot that year of Kindergarten. It wasn't about ABC and 123's learning simple stuff he already knew. He learned alot about Tanner. About what he liked and disliked. He gained some independence away from his family and became his own person who was proud of his accomplishment. He learned a routine and a work ethic. He made friends and learned how to get along with children who a different, in color, in sex, maybe even with disabilites. These were the things he needed to learn more than ABC's that he in fact already knew.
He did start his foundation for the rest of his skills in kindergarten. He liked it.. he did well. He didn't struggle because he knew alot already.. that didn't make MY child better than someone else's child who maybe struggled. I was glad he went to school with kids that could write better than him because it gave him something to work toward.. and when he seen someone struggling with something he already knew.. he gave him the chance to help someone understand..and it taught him compassion. His teachers have all said he was and is the first to help someone who needs it. He learned that here at home and school.
Education is the one of the most important thing in the house. But let me tell you.. my husbands Mother.. My MIL can't read or write. She was never taught as a child. They lived on a farm and worked even in Kindergarten. When my husband went to school.. he didn't know his ABC because his mother didn't.. but he still had a right to be taught and learn.. whether he was 5 or 6 or 7.. His mother wanted better for her kids than she had..and every child she had graduated.. that is her single proudest moment. So.. not knowing all that by 5..may not be the childs fault.. but... it may not be something that can be helped. Just because the children don't know everything doesn't mean the parents are lazy or spend no time with their children.
mom2tripp replied:
 VERY VERY WELL SAID MEL!!!!
amymom replied: Wow, Interesting turn to this thread.
Rocky, I would recommend homeschooling if you really feel that way. But school, kindergarten in particular does not really concentrate on the ABC's and 123's as has already been pointed out. What it does help with is socialization in large groups, and that is something that we all learn as we go thru life.
Because of some issues, our dd had some testing done when she was 4. It turned out that her IQ is off the chart well over 160-180. She learns many tasks quickly and was reading chapter books before entering kindergarten. She enjoys reading the encyclopedia and the dictionary. (she is 8) We have struggled with being certain she is continually challenged and that she doesn't get bored. Her teachers have been great with keeping her mentally challenged and still getting her the social skills she needs. The thing is the sociallization that the kids get is much, much more than the things you listed like "say their pleases and thankyous without being promted too much... they ask for things nicely, they wash their hands befor eating and after the bathroom without being reminded too often..." There are so many things to get out of the educational experience and as long as you stay involved and on top of things they will not be 'held back'. I know my daughter is not.
My3LilMonkeys replied:
I think this is very harsh. I may be a working mom and not be able to spend time with Brooke teaching her things every minute, but we spend time playing and working on numbers, letters, shapes, etc. every day. Just because she is not ready to learn it all yet does not make me a bad parent.
Amymom, congrats on having such a smart dd! Speaking from experience (I have an above average IQ, but not as high as hers), keeping her interested will be key. I was frequently "bored" in school because I knew the material already and would get in trouble for not paying attention.
And to respond to the original question, K is not mandatory here. But in a study they published last year out of 170 some (I don't remember the exact #) 1st graders all but 2 had attended K.
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
They meay seem harsh... but they'renot meant to offend. I realize that every chid has a different learning rate, it doesn't mean the child is stupid or that the parent doesn't do anything.
From MY experience (note the 'my'), going places like the doctor's office, or the grocery store, or even just for a walk with the kids.... I see parents take their kids out, and spend half the time telling them to be quiet, not to yell, and they say stuff like 'mommy's talking to daddy, wait your turn' or things like that.... and it really bugs me when the kids are acting up because the parents won't pay attention to them because they're concentrating on something else. When I take my kids to the doctor's office, I grab whatever magazine they have, and point stupid stuff out - people's face? fine - we work on the facial body parts. Celeb mags? fine - what color is the dress? the hair? count the people around her...
I just see a lot of parents doing their own thing while their kids are whining for attention. That just really bugs me. I'm not saying that any of you are bad parents, or that any of your kids are behind.
I'm writing from personal experience. I went to K already konwing how to read... spent most of that year in a corner with books while the other kids were being taught other stuff. I also skipped first grade, and almost skipped 3rd grade, but I was already about 18 months (average) younger than everyone else because of skipping 1st grade, my mom didn't want to make that 2.5 years younger than everyone else. I got my IQ tested at 8 - it was 164. Although I was 'smart', I was bored... especially through high school.
I never focused on 'teaching' my kids stuff....and I'm generally a working mom too - so I too spent quality time versus quantity time.
Hillbilly Housewife replied: I didn't originally post here to have to come back later and defend my opinion.
yup, MY OPINION.... oh well, that's all it is anyways. Take it or leave it.
moped replied: Rocky, don't you think that K was a great stepping stone into grade 1, as far as being with other children and setting the pace for grade 1???
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
PERSONALLY, no, not really. Like I said - I spent most of my time apart from the others, because I could already read, knew most of the stuff they were teaching....although I was always inc;uded in story time, art time, music time etc... it was hard to take interest, and therefore hard to forge good friendships - because while another kid wanted to be read to, I wanted to read. Or a kid wanted me to make a puzzle with him/her - I would do it on my own and the other kid got lkike 3 pieces in - so they didnt want to do stuff with me because I always finished fast... lolso most of my socialisation was done extra-curricular - my parentsa put me in all kinds of classes - swimming, ballet, piano, gymnastics... and later, violin, karate and a few others
I went from K to Grade 1, only to spend 2 weeks before being shoved up to 2nd grade.
I don't want my kids to be like I was.... I'd like them to be able to continue learning what they want to and can - not be forced to wait because the curriculum doesn't have anything new until the next grade, and not be easily bored by people...
moped replied:
We love to defend ourselves.....that is why I am asking you this - really, it is all in fun.
moped replied: Will your children go to K Rocky??
Hillbilly Housewife replied: it's all good, I don't mind answering questions on what i've posted.... it just sucks that opinions can't be said without someone getting in a huff about it... but that's always going to happen, right?? lol
of course I HAVE to defend my opinion...can't have people thinking I'm some sort of self-righteous, haughty creep..... lol
jk
i know it's all in good fun - I enjoy debating nicely!
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Because it's mandatory, yes. If they can have a better experience than I did, bonus.
moped replied: Yes it is all in fun - but it is interesting to hear other peoples thoughts - nobody is going to agree on everything, and you have a strong personality, so I need to ask you questions cause I know you will answer them honestly.
I find it interesting that you can tell us how we parent, even thuogh technically you dont know any of us. Your children are obviously gifted, most are not. Like I said, Jack is almost 18 months and doesn't say a single word that I totally understand. I spend so much time with him,. but i am not one to push learning on him and MAKE him say the ABC's and 123's, I feel 17 months is awful young - I guess I have an "unhurried approach" to parenting.
I think it is wonderful that you spend all this quality time with your children, as we all do...........but you have no clue what we do with our children on a day to day basis.
ammommy replied: Wow, I'm surprised that this turned into a debate. I guess you never know what will spark conversation. Thanks for the info, everyone. I just don't understand why education requirements vary so much from state to state in one country.
Jen, Alec was the same way at 18 months. I couldn't understand a darned word the kid was babbling (well, I could but I was the only one). Now, he amazes me by doing simple addition and some subtraction. Boy did that freak me out the first time he did it It's true that kids will learn on their own pace as long as we give them the opportunity to (like I'm sure we all do).
Rocky, it sounds like you parent the way I do. I don't push, but if we are looking at something we are going to talk about it. For example, if we are looking at animals, we don't see a moo-cow, we see a brown and white cow out in the pasture. Again, not to push anything, just because that's how I was raised.
However, now we are working on "just a minute, I'm talking to X" 
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
How did I tell you how you parent?  I mentionned that I see parents do things... I don't SEE you..... I see them, literally..... lol 
I don't push learning either... it's not likt the kids don't play... lol
Glad to know my honesty is appreciated!!! 
Maybe 17 months is young... maybe it isn't. Who knows - Naomie imght not be as quick to pick up on things as the other 2!!  can't tell you until i'm there!!!
We all parent differently - and I would never say your way or anyone elses way was dumb... i'm just sharing MY experiences and my kids' experiences, amd their learnig curve. Does that make you feel insecure? Sometimes when people get upset at somerone else's opinion, it's because they're insecure. I know I get all huffy if I'm talking about breastfeeding... cuz i'm very insecure about it (not saying you're insecure, and not calling you huffy, don't misunderstand... lol)
baileygirl replied:
Same here.
moped replied:
Nope, never been the insecure type.
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Good to know Jen!!!
ammommy - yup - that's what I do too. It's not pushing the learning... but it's going a little further than some. We do the black and white cow in the pasture too - and we add What does a Cow say? if the kids seem interested, we continue... with other animals, and what anumals live on a farm, etc etc...and we continue on and on until the kids don't seem interested anymore.
It's a game to them... it's fun for them... and they learn from it!!
If it helps them...why not? it's not doing them any harm - they are 'playing' and spending time with us... it's educational at the same time. They also play with us games like tag and ring-around-the-rosie, hide and seek, and tickles... so it's not all about learning... but like, if they're getting dressed - we put the RED sock on the LEFT FOOT, and we count to make sure all FIVE TOES are in the RED SOCK....they get their toes tickled - but they got Red, left, toes, five out of it... and next time we put socks on, they fill in the blank, so to speak - they say the color, the left or right, the body part, and they count the toes... it's not poushing them at all... if they don't want to answer, they won't, that's all there is to it.
Maddie&EthansMom replied: Kindergarten is not mandatory here, either. Although Maddie has been in school since she was 2. Still, Kinder was a big eye opener for her and us. She goes to a college prep private school and it is very demanding (of both parents and students alike) I spend a lot of time with her everyday going thru vocabulary words, spelling words, reading, counting, adding and subtracting, etc. I'm amazed at what all is introduced to her. Even more than that, I'm amazed at her capability of learning it so soon and quickly. Never underestimate what your children can learn. Don't be afraid to introduce things by fear that they might be too advanced. Really, they learn so much quicker than we do and are capable of retaining so much more at an earlier age. These little boogers are SMART!!
I'm glad we sent Maddie to school at 2. I think it really prepared her for where she is now. While Kinder is not mandatory, I think it is necessary. I'm not a dead beat parent, but they are doing things with her that I never would have thought to do.  With Ethan I will know better, but I'm not a teacher so I had no idea what to work on with her. Luckily she isn't behind, but she is also farm from advanced. We are just working harder with her and it doesnt' bother her at all.
But, it is true what Rocky said...parents really need to work with their children. I dont' think there is one person on this board that wouldnt' do that, but they really stress parental involvement in school.
AND, Mel had a great point that you get more out of kindergarten than 'learning abc's, etc" You socialize your child. That is so important. Even for children who are home schooled. Even though Maddie went to preschool for 3 years, there were things that they let her get by with that she cannot get by with in Kinder. Like I said, it has been an eye opening experience.
mom2tripp replied:
Wow Rocky have you ever thought about being a parenting coach?
My3LilMonkeys replied:
I'm just curious... would you send them if it wasn't mandatory?
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
no. I wouldn't DREAM of telling parents what to do with their kids as a job.... I have my opinions, and when asked I share them... but that's it. Some people get wayuyyyy too touchy about their parenting.
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
If the curriculum taught them stuff that I couldn't, didn't think of, or won't, sure. If they can learn from it, sure.
But if they would only be learning socializing skills, then probably not, because of daycare..... they get plenty there, and will be getting ore when they start their children's group music class. sorry!!
My3LilMonkeys replied:
No reason to be sorry - it seems like logical reasoning to me.
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
mom2tripp replied: I think a lot of parents (not directed at anyone in particular!!!!!) feel like their child is just PERFECT and just would not learn one more thing because they are so advanced and far ahead for their age. I personally feel that when Tripp does reach Kindergarten age he will benefit not only from learning new things mentally but he will also learn how to socialize which is a MAJOR life skill!!! Kindergarten is mandatory here and I am all for it. I stay at home with Tripp now and feel like I take every oppurtunity of the day to teach him new things, but you know sometimes a kid just needs to be away from his/her parents and learn on their own.
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
sure.... my kids are far from perfect..... but I do like to think they're smart. Like evrey parent, I liuke being able to share stories about things my kids do... what parent doesn't??
I am also very happy when they have an opportunity to learn something... I just think that in regards to K... they know a lot of what the K HERE teaches.
mom2tripp replied:
I agree with you, I always like to brag about Tripp and when the time comes around and I think he knows everything they are teaching in K I might change my tune, you never know
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Kindergarden is pretty different in different parts of the world... K in Canada is different than K in the US... and even more so in Quebec.. unfortunately... I hate to bash the place I live in (no I don't... lol!!!) but Quebec has some pretty funky ways of doing things.
Their Education system is not one I look forward to subjecting my kids to.
For example - when someone says: "nationally, or nation-wide" you assume they're talking (in US's case) about across the US?
In Canada, when you say "Nationally, or nation-side", it's taken as across Canada.
EXCEPT HERE!!!!!!
I say national and mean across Canada - but they take it as JUST ACROSS QUEBEC!!!!!!!!
I can't freakin stand it. Maybe that has some bearing on why I think K is not right for my kids......
3_call_me_mama replied: Mna Rocky we SERIOUSLY have to meet! I'm sitting here reading this thinking, gosh she's saying exactally what i am thinking boy I wish i had the brass to say this adn not feel like crap after everyone beats you down fo rit:) LOL Seriously, i have a very similar paretnign style, and learning approach when it comes to my kids and theri education. I'm still on teh fence about the whole public school kindergarten thing and such. The main reason I would consider havign them go is becasue Cameron wants to "go to school" seriously that is the sole reason. There is NOTHING that they can teach him there that i can't teach him, or expose him to in our environment/take himout to learn more about. I SOOOO wish i could be organized enough and have enough confidence in myself to homeschool him. Because I KNOW When he does go he's gonna be bored. I was at the K screenign the other night (helping out with a community thing) and teh parents adn teachers there were shocked to find out that he wasn't a) already in K and B0 that he wasn't going next year cause he's just turned 3, 2 weeks ago!! Actually teh principal suggested looking into private grade schools and possibly homeschooling sue to where he was now.. she herslef said the school is set to meet teh needs of the GENERAL public, and teh developmentally delayed through teh special ed program. So he would either sit bored or act out to get attention caseu there was no way they could focus energy and attention on one student that was not special ed and beyond regualr ed. Straight from a principals mouth. So now back to the drawing board for us. But I'm not seeking advice on here again.. Got slammed last time... not headed there agian. But KUDO"S to you for the bravery to honestly state you mind, you must have broad shoulders to take the criticism on:) GO GIRL I live Vicariously through you... i take too much personally!
 ok I'll hush up now!
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
I'm LMAO right now!!!
oh me too. In past posts i've mentionned i'd like to homeschool...
but i don't have broad shoulders... i'm just a smart-mouthed 23 year old!!
hey - it's just my opinion. I happily try to explian myself the best i can... but we can't make everone happy all of the time. 
TANNER'S MOM replied: I do agree schools and what the teach are vastly different. Here in the states even. I have a friend who's daughter came from Oklahoma..one state away and had to fail 1st grade because here in Kindergarten our kids were already reading. She didn't know her sounds or how to put her words together. So, it really hurt her in the move.
So, I do understand that point. To be honest I have always worked with my kids as Rocky was saying... I think we all play little games with them at all different ages. I still do. I play a game where we start a start a story...and everyone adds a line...just to help us be creative and mine our 15..
Well I think Kindergarten is a must..and should be mandotory. I also think that parents shouldn't be judged if there children aren't at the exact same level. Paren't who don't push potty training, or only wean when the child is ready, or don't want to be pushy it seems suddenly become competitive about the learning milestones. I don't mean anyone here but I mean in general.
I would like to say I too think my kids are the smartest, the best...lol My Granny used to have an old south saying..And I say it alot.. No matter what your kids do, where they are with milestone.. whether it is walking, talking, reading, writing, looks, clothes etc..
Every old crow thinks her's is the blackest.
Meaning no matter what the mother is like.. good bad... pretty.. short, fat.. her baby is the best.. and I say it is so true. Cause mine are. It is just our natural skill to worry about every little thing.. is this the right time to be doing this.. well htey did this early .. you know. I had a cousin who used to call me when her daughter pee'd..lol But she was just celebrating how proud she was..so I yelled go..holly go too@
Maddie&EthansMom replied:
This is exactly why my children will go to private school. Scotty and I both had horrible education experiences and we didn't grow up in the same town. Sure, I think a lot of that is b/c our parents didn't know to work with us more at home. I will be sure not to make that same mistake, but their lives were so different back then and I don't blame my parents for not knowing. College wasn't viewed the same when they grew up as it is now (mom was middle class, dad was poor). Just the rich kids went to college.
The town where I grew up had a horrible education system. I didn't learn anything. Scotty is just naturally smart and fortunately he went further than I did and got his degree. Anyway, I've heard where we are living now has a great public school, but Scotty and I wanted the private school for so many reasons (home schooling wasn't an option ) My point is, that ALL schools are different. Every district is different. Every child is different. I'm just glad I have options.
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
ditto.......see my previous posts about the great private school I found, that I WILL be sending ALL my kids to.
Maddie&EthansMom replied:
I think you will be very pleased with that route, Rocky. We LOVE LOVE LOVE Maddie's school. Her teacher loves her and has really worked with her and gotten to know her. I'm up there every Friday so she knows I'm involved and I work with her as well. We e-mail each other back and forth a lot to make sure we are all on the same page. She just really puts a lot of effort into teaching. We are religious people and we like that aspect as well.
Like I said, I'm just so glad we have options these days b/c every family needs something that will work for them.
Hillbilly Housewife replied: I'm sure I will love it too!!! it's not really expensive too. Well it is - but the same costs, pretty much, as daycare.
I'm so glad there are options.
You know, where I live, you're not ALLOWED to go to an english school unless one of your parents went to an english school... how dumb is that? Talk about narrow-minded....
erg.
I plan to be very involved in my kids' schooling. Probably to the annoying point...but not so annoying that theteacers take it out on the kids. Just enough for the kids to go: Mooo-OOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!
Maddie&EthansMom replied: They definitely know who I am at Maddie's school, but not to the point to where they say "Oh here she comes" They know who my child is, but I don't think they know my first name (in the office) her teacher does of course. I try to help out as much as I can up there and they love that. I don't stick my nose where it doesn't belong and I don't call all the time. I just try to be involved where my child is concerned.
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
daycare mom replied: Is it pushing too hard if your kid is only 4 and seems ready for kindergarten? Mine is 3 and a half, and lives for learning. She can count to 30 (and beyond if I count with her), she recognizes and can write 7 or 8 letters, and has been begging me to teach her to read. If I work with her all the next year, I think she will be ready for kindergarten at age 4, socially as well as academically. She has been in daycare since she was one, and is more socially advanced than most of her peers.
redchief replied: I've done a little research on this topic, and forgive me if someone else has already done it (I didn't read every post). According to the Education Commission of the States, located in Denver ( http://www.ecs.org ):
"Only eight states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have a compulsory school age of 5 that effectively, if not explicitly, mandates kindergarten attendance for all children. Compulsory attendance ages in the other states range from age 6-8."
That's just FYI; and it surprised me because I've always thought of kindegarten as the beginning of primary education here.
LovinMyGirls replied: Definitely mandatory here.. they need to go into Kindergarten knowing there ABC's, colors, counting, address etc to even be prepared for K.
raysnroof replied: My kids have never gone to public school or any conventional school, for that matter. However, I made it part of my job to know all the laws of whatever state we lived at the time. When my oldest was 5, we lived in Indiana where the compulsory age for entering school was seven. Here in Kansas, it is also age seven. Personally, I LOVE that rule and I wish it was 7 or 8 in every state. You can find an oddball around if you hunt but, honestly, most parents who keep their kids home still expose them to learning. The latter age requirement merely accepts the fact that not all children are the same.
I consider it a gift that my kids have not been forced to fit into a mold because I have at LEAST one who simply never would have fit that mold. Maybe some day he will and maybe not. I had one child who could read novels by age 6 and one child who simply could not read more than 1 to 2 pages of a step 1 book by age 9. That child, by the way, was finally diagnosed with focusing and tracking disfunctions that blurred the page and caused headaches. No doctors would listen since he tested with 20/20 vision. I dread to think what being forced to go to school at age 5 and learn letters and numbers that he couldn't track or focus upon would have done to his tender soul. (particularly when "experts" were saying he simply was faking eye problems to get to wear glasses)  Applause to the states that have late cumpulsory requirements!
Sharon 
PS I suppose I also love those since it means I won't have as much paperwork to do and I can focus on simply teaching my young child instead of testing, logging hours, visiting a supervisor, or whatever other baloney the state requires. That's just me, though.
Hillbilly Housewife replied: I have a moral dilemma. If a child still cannot read by, say, 8... and has no learning disabilities whatsoever... *I* personally think that's a problem.
Why?
Because. To see these little kids on a city bus, barely past 6 or 7... with the "bling" and the baggy jeans with the funky hats and hairstyles... the girls with makeup and earring (real life versions of those Bratz dolls).. with cell phones, ipods etc... with or without their parents...and it pains me to know that at least 3/5 still have trouble reading.
Now to let your kid loose in the world with accessories - yet notmake sure they are prepared to take it on... in my opinion, that's just dumb. That tells me, or rather I interpret that as the parent wants to keep the kid happy but won't take the time to prepare them for the world knowledge wise, yet will prepare them fashion wise.
I'm so totally not surprised to see or hear on the news about 8 year olds nowadays committing crimes, doing drugs, being smart-mouthed to teachers... they don't know how much of a priviledge having an education is....and that's too bad.
I persoally think that encouraging a child to learn everything he/she can in the younger years is best for the child... it is FACT that a child before the age of 5 can learn better, easier, and more at once. They are sponges. The years before 5 last the rest of their lives. Which is why I am surprised that the age most places begin is after 5....
just here.
5littleladies replied: Compulsory attendance in MN isn't until a child is 7 years old. I started my kids when they were 5 but at times I wish I had waited. Everyone knows I home school so I have a very different perspective on these types of things, but I have met mother after mother who home schools their children and they tell me over and over again to not push a child when they are young. They WILL pick it up as they get older. I know one person whose child could not read until they were 9 years old. The mom was so incredibly frustrated but decided to focus on that childs strengths instead of getting worked up about the fact that she couldn't read yet. Now at the age of 13, you won't find the girl without a book in her hands. Her mother believes that if she had pushed her she may not have had such a love of reading now.
When Madeline is having a difficult day with reading (or any subject for that matter) and I don't mean that she isn't trying, she just having a hard time and getting overwhelmed, we will put that subject away for the day-maybe for a week, and when we come back to it she is able to try without feeling frustrated and inadequate and she does much better!. I'll be honest-she is running a bit behind where other kids her age are in reading, but I know she will catch up, and she is doing just fine where she is. The only thing that is suffering is maybe my pride and that I can live with for the well-being of my child. I am so thankful that I can have her at home where she can learn at her own pace and be herself instead of being stuffed into a mold that she just would not fit into.
I think this is just another example of children being forced to grow up too fast and it makes me sad. You're right-parents in these situations are being irresponsible. They allow their children to emulate adults, yet they put little emphasis on the things (education, etc. ) that are necessary to become adults.
Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Oh I'm not saying they won't be able to pick it up later... and I'm definitely not telling anyone to push their child... but for me, I'm going to try to take advantage that the kids are so eager to learn new things. If they can happily learn to read or write, i.e. the harder things first, the better in my opinion. Especialy if they WANT to learn, and are not forced to.
We'll see how things go... I mean... I still have at least a year before school... lol
5littleladies replied:
I should have said something in my post about this. Absolutely-if they are eager to learn, they should be encouraged to do so. Please don't think I'm advocating forcing children to wait until a certain age. I just think they should go at their own pace.
3_call_me_mama replied: Personally I feel that children should be encouraged jsut as much as tehy are not forced.. does that make sense? A child's ability and interset should fuel their learning not a age and number of grade.
Holding them back if they are showing interest adn desire can be jsut as detrimental to them as forcing it on them too young. It needs to be a smooth balance. Also I agree that children are growing up too fast (as in teh bus example), growing up fast adn learning at a fast pace are two different things and I think that sometimes peopel/parents/ teh general public forgets that. It's easy to see forget that a 3 year old that can read write and tell time and do all sorts of otehr things that third grader are doing, is not a 3rd grader/8 year old. (sorry if i go tteh age wrong there) and a 10 year old taking highschool adn college courses still isnt' a highschooler in ability they are but not age or development.
It is so easy to forget that just becasue tehy kearn beyond their years, they still are the year they are. (OT but putting preschoolers in clothes and lifestyles that are ususally represented by teens doesnt' make them teens or more mature. it just robs them of their innocence and youth IMO)
Cece00 replied: Yes, kindergarten is mandatory here. PreK (LA4, which is 4 yr olds) is not, but recommended. In MY area, I feel a child that does not attend Pre-K is at a disadvantage than children who go straight into kindy.
FTR, I have a brilliant 4 yr old (he has been tested, though not formally as he is not in the school system yet) who knows more than some children in K and probably even than some 1st graders, and I still am putting him in PreK, in fact I will be registering him today.
I dont believe for a second that even though I teach him/work with him, and that he knows the curriculum (and beyond) that they will teach in his Pre-K class, that he will not learn anything or be bored all of the time. I've worked with children (both gifted and children with challenges) in the last few years while I was in school and I know that even children who know most/all of a curriculum can stand to learn a lot in school. I myself am gifted, and often was in honors and AP (college level, while in high school) classes, and attended college in the summers before I graduated HS and I though sometimes I found myself bored, I can guarantee I learned a lot from said classes, despite knowing a lot of the curriculum.
I am shocked to see some schools do not require children to be in school until 6 or 7 years old, though, I have to admit.
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