"For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved learning. And that love for learning—no doubt—translated into a love for school as a child. I even spent numerous hours at home playing school, teaching reading and writing to my classroom of dedicated stuffed animals. So when my son started kindergarten last fall, I was incredibly excited for him to begin his own school journey. He is a naturally curious little boy who simply loves to ask questions, so I had high hopes that he would love school as well.
And thankfully, I think he does for the most part. The school he attends is wonderful—full of caring and dedicated staff members and a strong sense of community. His teacher could not be more amazing, and she has made the transition to full-time school as seamless as possible. But I quickly realized the kindergarten curriculum is no longer how I remember it. And I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
My Son’s Kindergarten Curriculum
For starters, the school day is now six and a half hours long as opposed to about two and a half. (For what it’s worth, I think the sweet spot would be somewhere in the middle.) Instead of mastering letters and numbers, they are already learning to read, write sentences, and add and subtract. They take standardized tests and have occasional homework assignments. A lot of time is spent at a desk doing highly academic work. My son comes home most days exhausted—mentally and emotionally—but with so much physical energy he’s jumping off furniture.
“My son comes home most days exhausted—mentally and emotionally—but with so much physical energy he’s jumping off furniture.”
He occasionally complains about having to go to school. His complaints include having to do worksheets or sit at his desk all day long (to be fair, they do have some “free” time, recess, and gym most days). And getting him to do extra work or projects outside of school can be like pulling teeth. Despite this, I would say his overall experience with school is positive. However, I worry this is a slippery slope and that the expectations for kindergarten may be a bit too intense. In order to help protect his love for learning and to make going to school a positive experience, I’m incorporating the ideas below into our home life.
How I’m Dealing With Today’s Kindergarten Expectations
Prioritizing Sleep
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kindergarteners (and other grade school age children) need about nine to 12 hours of sleep a night. This number may feel high or unattainable. Many of us struggle to get the eight to nine hours we are recommended to get as adults. And it’s true, balancing school, work, and activity schedules can feel quite tricky. I know for us, by the time we get settled back home after school pickup, it can be close to 4 p.m. We only have a handful of hours to reconnect/play, make and eat dinner, prep for the next day, etc.
However, we still choose to implement a bedtime that allows for our son (and daughter) to get the recommended amount of sleep on most nights. I want my kids to develop healthy sleep habits for life. I know being well-rested is one of the best ways to ensure my son is ready for school the next day. While we sometimes miss out on fun activities, such as movie nights or sports event outings, I think we gain a lot more by choosing sleep. That being said, we do give a little more leeway during the summer and for special occasions.
Encouraging Creativity
I often joke that I should give my kids cardboard boxes and random household items for birthdays and holidays instead of toys. Even their favorite toys can’t compete with the endless ways they will find to play with a box. So while it can be trying to have a house littered with repurposed shipping boxes or to find your favorite mixing bowl has been hijacked to make a toy animal’s house, I know it’s all worth it to encourage imagination and creativity.
While the kindergarten curriculum definitely offers opportunities for creativity, I do find a fair amount of my son’s kindergarten work to be highly directed by an instructor. For example, having to use “realistic” colors to color a picture or having to make a project the same way as everyone else in art class. I understand there is likely a good reason for this. I also want to make sure he has plenty of time to let his mind run wild. Creative thinking is a skill that proves to be useful throughout life.
Reading Together Often
When my son was a baby, we met with our pediatrician out of pure chance—the appointment with our chosen doctor was double booked, so we were assigned this new one. Turns out, it was one of the best “accidents” of motherhood for me. Among the invaluable parenting and health advice, he shared to expose our son to language as often as possible. This included talking to him, reading books, and listening to music. And so, our nightly bedtime reading routine began.
Turns out reading together isn’t only beneficial for language development, but according to the Child Mind Institute, it teaches children about emotions and empathy as well as helps them learn about the big world around them. I believe exposing my son to new places, concepts, and people through reading helps him develop skills he needs to be successful in school as well. So while we may not practice sight words every night, he is still learning an amazing amount through books.
Getting Outside as Much as Possible
Getting outside, no matter the season, has always been like hitting a reset button on my kids (and myself too if I’m being honest). Bonus points if that outdoor time includes water. Unfortunately, the modern school environment does not leave much time for being outdoors. On an average day, my son’s class goes outside for about 30 minutes after lunch. On a good day, they may sneak some extra time out with a bonus recess or outdoor gym time.
That being said, I work to get our family outside as much as I can. It’s something that doesn’t come natural to me in the Midwest during the winter months. But every little bit counts! Research shows the benefits are vast—including increased physical activity, better vision, and improved social and cognitive development. I find it especially effective to get outside before or after school. We do this by walking to school when the weather is reasonable or playing on the playground after school. On the weekends, we like to visit forest preserves, farmers markets, parks, or simply play in our own yard.
Protecting White Space on the Calendar
I don’t think it is any secret that kids today are far more scheduled than generations before. Athletic leagues, music lessons, tutoring, etc., all take up a lot of time on top of the average school day. That’s why we’ve chosen as a family to protect white space on our calendar. While my son has tried a few extracurriculars, we limit activities to one per season. We don’t force him to participate in an extra activity at this point. While I do think it is important for kids to explore their interests via extracurriculars, I don’t think there is any rush to do so at 6 years old.
We intentionally keep white space on our calendar by limiting organized activities but also by keeping our other commitments in check as well. If we have a busy weekend full of birthday parties, family events, or other commitments, we do our best to keep the next weekend less busy to offer time for relaxation and to fill up our tanks to tackle the week ahead. Providing time to rest prepares my son for the challenges and demands of school. It also teaches him an important lesson in self-care.
Dana Peters, R.D.
Dana is a writer and registered dietitian specializing in family and kids nutrition living in the Chicago suburbs. From healthy family eating to reliable baby gear to wellness for moms, she has covered it all. She is mom to Charlie and Eva, a wannabe baker, and a farmer’s market enthusiast.