Should kindergarteners go to school for a full day or a half day? By: Bethany

 A problem concerning this topic is that parents aren’t sure whether or not they should send their kids to full or half day kindergarten.  I chose this topic because I have a little brother in kindergarten and they go full day but, when I was in kindergarten I went half day.

 The first kindergarten in the U.S.A was in Watertown, Wisconsin. It was founded by Margarethe Meyer Schurz. Most kids start kindergarten between the ages 2 and 7.  Some people say that you learn the same whether you go full or half day kindergarten.  Others say full day gets children better ready for 1 st grade.

 Based on my research I think this is a national problem.  In China they have three levels of kindergarten. By the time the get through all the levels of kindergarten they are expected to know basic math facts and to be comfortable speaking and reading in two different languages.  In Finland children are expected to play. They are expect too much at the age the children go to kindergarten. It’s more about learning how to be social. There is some learning but they don’t have as much punishment than in the United States

 Half day kindergarten lets the kids spend more time at home with their families. It also gives them enough time to learn what they need to know by first grade.  All day kindergarten allows parents to work a full day. It also gets them ready for the full day of first grade.

Positives for Full Day KindergartenPositives for Half Day Kindergarten  Gets kids used to the school day  It’s safer and more fun for some kids than being at home  They get to eat breakfast and lunch at school  They have more time to learn what they need to know  Learn manners and respect  Have more time to see their friends  More time with family  More rest  More time to play at home  Enough time to learn what you need to know in kindergarten  Good amount of transition before 1 st grade

 I believe that full day kindergarten is best for kindergarteners.  I think it’s best for them because in 1 st grade they have to go full day and they get a chance to make friends and spend time with them.  The reason I agree with the people who say full day is because it seems like they have a lot more time to learn the things they are expected to know by 1 st grade.

 Rafoth, Mary Ann. “Full or Half Day Kindergarten?” Teachers and Families February-March en/parent/kg-day1.cfm en/parent/kg-day1.cfm  “Kindergarten Around the World.” tvo Parents. February-March ents/index.cfm?page_id=721&fromurl=0. ents/index.cfm?page_id=721&fromurl=0