Editor, Times-Union: One more child is needed for the half-day kindergarten to have the required class of 18 students.
For most of our lives, children have emotionally matured and educationally thrived by starting their public school exposure with a half-day kindergarten experience. Children have not evolved into different creatures than they used to be. The world experiences they are exposed to and expected to grow up in have changed, not the 5 year olds. Just because everybody is telling you full day is the only way to go does not mean your gut instinct wanting half day for your child is a mistake.
Eight hours is a long time for any 5-year-old to sit still and learn. With only one recess, some kids may be receptive whereas some may become turned off by school.
If you have a child entering kindergarten and feel hesitant about whether the full-day kindergarten is what your own particular child needs at this point of his or her life, then why don’t you investigate putting your child in the half-day kindergarten at Washington School. You need to make your call to Washington School 574 371-5097 or David Hoffert at 574 371-5098 with Warsaw Community Schools before it is decided they will not offer the class because they did not meet their quota of 18 students for the class.
One of my grandsons was in the half-day kindergarten offered at Washington School last school year. It was perfect for him. The class is set up so everything your child really needs to know for first grade is in the plan for the half-day with a small amount of organized follow-up to be done at home. My grandson was plenty ready for the school day to be done at noon. His enthusiasm for future school experience is still hyped up and stimulated. I have another grandson who will hopefully be in the half-day kindergarten experience this fall.
I am not just speaking as a biased grandmother, however. I am a retired elementary school counselor and taught kindergarten for years before that. There is nothing like working with the fresh thrilling joy within this age child as they explore the school experience. If we overtire this zest with demands that frustrate some 5 year olds now, rather than wait until their readiness allows smooth learning, there is always the possibility of stifling certain children’s future desire to go to school.
You know your child. Call and investigate how easy it is to use half-day kindergarten. Your child will be more than ready for full day first grade in his home school when kindergarten is over.
