tater03

My son is going to go for his testing to start kindergarten soon. I remember when my seven year old did this. I have no worries that he will have any trouble at the moment. But is it me or do they now have to know alot of the stuff that when I was in school you learned in kindergarten? I mean they are suppoused to be able to recognize their letters and they don't teach how to tie your shoes anymore. I mean so much has changed since I was in kindergarten. Does anyone else see this where you are at? Just curious.

happy2bg33k

It has changed a lot. I saw this evolving as I was teaching Kindergarten and Special Ed. and worry about the effects this is having on our children. I also worry that it puts children who have had preschool experiences of very involved parents at a tremendous advantage to other children for whom K is a first schooling expereince. We saw huge jumps in referrals to Special Ed. for children who were truly average intelligence and performance. Because the expectations are so high they were considered behind. It's very disturbing and my own son is entering K in the fall so I am doubly concerned.

tater03

That is exactly why I put my sons in preschool. I really wanted to keep them home. But they seemed to want to learn in a classroom setting more. And you hit the nail on the head that it can put other kids who cannot go to preschool at a disadvantage.