My kindergartener seems to be stressed and tired

[Anonymous]

DD5 attended full day preschool/daycare center for 3 plus years from 8am to 6pm before, and it was 2 teachers to 24 kids ratio at last. The current kindergarten class is 1 teacher to 25 kids. On back to school night, we were told that MCPS stresses more on academic at k, K class has 1st grade schedule, less play time element etc. I am not sure if I heard it right, but that was what I heard. I notice that they don't have much toys in the classroom, and we were told by teacher to let kids play more after school. They say it is the first year they try to do that. I notice that DD seems to be more tired & stressed at K, probably still overwhelmed with the new school/new kids/new schedule. She misses her daycare friends a lot, and they used to pretend play a lot with hair/stuff animals/princess/cooking etc. I don't want to bother homeroom teacher because it is just the start of school year and there are 25 kids for her to handle. How's your kindergartener doing so far? Is it true that they get rid of play element at K starting this year countywide?

[Anonymous]

Yes, it can be stressful for the kids. There’s a lot of time sitting and it’s very academic. It’s also just a lot for some kids with so many students in one class.

We moved our child to private for Gordy grade and while they still do a lot of academics, it’s a lore calm atmosphere and there seems to be more regard for children’s development and child is much happier.

[Anonymous]

*first grade

[Anonymous]

I have taught kindergarten in mcps for many years. The transition to kindergarten is very difficult for many children. She will adjust to the new routine within a few weeks.
For what it’s worth, I think mcps is wrong for the way they’re structuring kindergarten these days.

[Anonymous]

3 kids who've gone through public k. It was not stressful or overly academic for them. But I think it's a long day and tiring. Plenty of bright colors, toys, and books for downtime in the classrooms.

[Anonymous]

What time does she got to bed? When mine was in K she had only just turned 5 and was in bed at 7/715 most nights.
Yes K has changed, it’s a long day regardless. They need sleep.

[Anonymous]

My child started K in MCPS and she loves it and says she likes it better than her daycare. However, she has been having some meltdowns at home, so I do think it is tiring for her.

[Anonymous]

To be honest, I think this is a way we lucked out having a kid start K on Zoom in 2020-2021–far less stress related to school. Not like it was stress-free, but it was not linked to education in the same way.

It sounds miserable and I’m not surprised parents around here who can afford to avoid it often do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be honest, I think this is a way we lucked out having a kid start K on Zoom in 2020-2021–far less stress related to school. Not like it was stress-free, but it was not linked to education in the same way.

It sounds miserable and I’m not surprised parents around here who can afford to avoid it often do.

I'm the PP who said my kid is happy but melting down in evenings.

I am glad starting K on Zoom worked for you. However, I will speak for myself and say I am so grateful that DC is starting K in person. The evening meltdowns are decreasing so I think it is just an adjustment period. DC's teachers are awesome and DC seems to be learning a lot. That being said, the class is 17 kids which I think helps a lot. I do agree 25 kids is too much and wish MCPS could lower class sizes for the youngest kids.

I've heard some private Montessori preschools discourage parents from sending their kids to public K and do some fearmongering about it and our experience so far is just completely contrary to that. But maybe we just lucked out.

[Anonymous]

The transition to kindergarten is rough. Ideally, they wouldn’t do after care for the first couple weeks (but I know some families can’t do that). The kids are just too tired for long days at first bc of the amount their brains are engaged. It’s a different kid of tired than playing outside all day

[Anonymous]

OP I heard the same thing from our MCPS 1st grade teacher. Our transition to K last yr was pretty good apart from the ratios you describe. But the room did have various play areas and toys, and also a lot of the learning was centers where they moved around, stacked things (all those math toys/objects), etc. We heard that there's no more centers this yr in our ES even for 1st? If so it seems like a terrible move - my kid learned a ton but it felt like they also got movement, variety, and a lot of working with classmates and applying their learning tangibly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I heard the same thing from our MCPS 1st grade teacher. Our transition to K last yr was pretty good apart from the ratios you describe. But the room did have various play areas and toys, and also a lot of the learning was centers where they moved around, stacked things (all those math toys/objects), etc. We heard that there's no more centers this yr in our ES even for 1st? If so it seems like a terrible move - my kid learned a ton but it felt like they also got movement, variety, and a lot of working with classmates and applying their learning tangibly.

I'm that PP and one typo - meant to write that we heard no more centers/small groups type moving around & learning even in K.

[Anonymous]

That’s right, its rigor is similar to first grade so the kids are stressed out and tired from learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I heard the same thing from our MCPS 1st grade teacher. Our transition to K last yr was pretty good apart from the ratios you describe. But the room did have various play areas and toys, and also a lot of the learning was centers where they moved around, stacked things (all those math toys/objects), etc. We heard that there's no more centers this yr in our ES even for 1st? If so it seems like a terrible move - my kid learned a ton but it felt like they also got movement, variety, and a lot of working with classmates and applying their learning tangibly.

I'm that PP and one typo - meant to write that we heard no more centers/small groups type moving around & learning even in K.

Anyone knows the reason behind to get rid of centers/small group type moving around & learning in K starting this year? Any mcps link?

[Anonymous]

Mine is now in middle school, and had attended preschool, but I still remember how exhausted she was after a day of K. She would come home and either crash or have a fit about something. We really didn't plan any after school events, activities, etc. Is she reading yet? If so (or if she'll look quietly at a book with pictures), maybe see if she can sit in the quiet reading corner at after-care? Mine needed a snack and then just quiet veg time in her room, and then could emerge sort of normal by dinner time. I think she even took naps some days. It's like how you feel after a day giving an important presentation at work, or taking a big exam or something.