kindergarten advice-does it get easier?

semdkm

My daughter is the youngest in her K class-she just turned 5, one week before the cutoff.  A good deal of parents in my district redshirt, so there are a number of kids in her class who are six and approaching 7-the latter age seems bizarre to me, unless a child has a genuine social/learning issue.  But I digress....I  am confident sending her to kindergarten was appropriate--she was already doing the stuff they're doing in K in preschool (including the homework, just not every night), she was excited to go, she follows instructions, makes friends easily, etc., and really seems to enjoy it.  Her only complaint is that it's "too long."  She is EXHAUSTED and as a result, is a BEAR with tantrums since she's started (she just fully gave up naps over the summer, and in Preschool and Pre-K she was there only until 1, now she's at school until close to 3).  So, I'm praying this is just an adjustment thing, and I'm hoping I'm not alone in this.  Any tips on making it easier?  And please reassure me this is just an adjustment phase!

itsmevkb

My son attended K3 two years ago which was 4 days a week for about 3 hours a day.  Then, last year, K4 was 5 days a week and from 7:40 to 3:15, which is a long day I think for a 4 year-old.  The first few weeks were fine and he was excited and loving it, but then after maybe three weeks he began saying how long the day was and he was very wound up when I'd pick him up from school, almost hyper.  I theorized that it was hard for him to hold in all that energy all day at school and thus the sort of energy outpouring afterwards.  His complaining went on a few weeks and then faded away as he got more and more used to the all-day, all-week schedule.

ridesbuttons

Yeah, those long days.  DS1 is in senior kindergarten now.  He is 5 years old. 

He takes the bus with all ages of kids from 3y9m up (JKer's ) to 19 year olds (doing their victory lap in high school).  Bus arrives at 7:59am and drops him off at 4:10pm. 

Last year, he'd be dead asleep on the bus most afternoons when it got to his stop.  Like, I'd have to get on the bus and shake him awake he would be so far gone, lol.  Once so far this year he was so asleep the bus driver had to get up and wake him to get off the bus.

So, I've backed his bedtime to between 7 and 7:30pm instead of 7:30-8pm.  He needs the damn sleep!

Whaddya do, right? 

ES-6-26

I don't have an answer - I'm just here to say I'm in the same boat.  My sons birthday IS the cutoff.  He's a big strong kid (95th% kind of kid) and has always been the "biggest" "fastest" etc.  But now he's being somewhat bullied by the almost 7 year olds.  I really don't get why you'd "hold a kid back" until they are 6+ to start kindergarten. Rowan has been acting up in school because he's BORED and he comes home telling me it's all baby work.  He's cranky and irritable until bedtime, and it's so frustrating to get him to do anything.  He used to be so agreeable and fun and charming and helpful.  And our kindergarten is full day, so 8am to 3pm - TONS of activity!  So yes - also looking for reassurance that it's just a phase.

wychets

That does sound like a long day for your LO...Do they still offer naps in Kindergarten? It may vary by district but in our district they have "nap time" I think it may be from 12-2p.

semdkm

Sorry to those in the same boat.  It's not easy-I want my happy child back!  She's always happy to go and after a couple weeks actually separates without any issue at all (and complained last weekend when she DIDN'T have school), so at least I"ve got that to hang my hat on.  But yes, she is TIRED and so, so grumpy and "fresh" when she gets home.  A nap at her school would be a good idea, but it seems they are really catering to the almost 7 year olds rather than those who are appropriately-aged for Kindergarten--and those kids gave up naps long ago.  So, they get just 10 minutes of "rest" time. Just keeping fingers crossed this gets easier on all of us!!  I've been getting her up in her room for bed before 7:30 (weekends, too), to get as much sleep as possible.  It sucks on the days I don't get home until 6:15, but I'm now a drill sargeant about routine toward early bedtime!

snicksnack

I am baffled how there is not a standard for kindergarten.  Where I live it is all day and more like 1^st grade was when I was in school.   In terms of naps I doubt they are catering to the older kids, but rather treating it like school and I am guessing some of those kids were held back for some of the reasons you expressed, which causes it to become a cycle.  My friend lives in New Hampshire and kindergarten there is only 2.5 hours I really don?t understand why each state is all over the map.  They changed the age requirements in my state too it use to be December cut-off and it is now September so you do run into the almost 7-years being there right off the bat vs. turning 7 in maybe Jan. or Feb. like back in the day when we were in school.   

GettinNervous

I could have written every word of your post. EXACT same thing here, except my days are even longer since I drop off at before-care and she's at after-care some days. I am hoping she gets used to it eventually. She falls asleep on the way home, then it's hard to wake her up. Sometimes I let her sleep on the couch for a while, because I'm afraid of the meltdown.

I don't regret sending her. She was ultra bored at daycare. Now instead of wanting to watch TV, she plays school, writes, or draws.

I don't really have any advice, but I wanted to let you know I'm in the same situation!!