Help me figure out what to do with my K child

[Anonymous]

My Kindergartener doesn't like school because it's too much work and not enough play, according to her.
Play is such an important part of development that it kills me that this is not the main focus on K in a lot of DC schools.

So now I'm at a loss about what to do. I think my only option is to try a different school in the lottery since I cannot afford private.

Can you recommend schools that are play based for the younger years and have a more hands-on, child-centered approach for the older years? A school where kids are not sitting on their desks all day...
Does this even exist?

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure that exists in DC. Not even in the private schools, really, at least not by 1st grade.

[Anonymous]

What is your in-boundary school?

Keep in mind that DCPS schools all have the same curriculum, so you won't have a ton of variety across schools.

That said, kids are definitely not "sitting at their desks all day" in K. There is a lot of learning through play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your in-boundary school?

Keep in mind that DCPS schools all have the same curriculum, so you won't have a ton of variety across schools.

That said, kids are definitely not "sitting at their desks all day" in K. There is a lot of learning through play.

PP. Ah, I just realized that you're looking for 1st, not K.

Some privates are definitely more play-based, but since that's not an option, perhaps try for one of the charters like CMI or ITS? Both hard to lottery into, though.

[Anonymous]

She'll adjust. Some charters are more child-centered (Two Rivers, ITS) but very hard to get into. I think the best thing you can do is minimize the time she's in after/before-care so she can play at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She'll adjust. Some charters are more child-centered (Two Rivers, ITS) but very hard to get into. I think the best thing you can do is minimize the time she's in after/before-care so she can play at home.

I agree with more play at home! I moved my work schedule to allow this, but of course that's not always possible.

I would look at the schools that practice Experiential learning, incl 2 Rivers and Mundo Verde if you can support Spanish, and/or Reggio, like SWS, but of course all of these have low odds of admittance. I would avoid schools that teach to the test and make a big deal out of the PARCC-type assessments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She'll adjust. Some charters are more child-centered (Two Rivers, ITS) but very hard to get into. I think the best thing you can do is minimize the time she's in after/before-care so she can play at home.

We don't do before or after care. She cried this morning from the time she woke up until we left for school, and then she walked into school like a scolded puppy. It breaks my heart...
Her sister is in the same school and loves it, so I know it's just that my child needs more play. They do sit in their desks A LOT, and then even have silent lunches for the first 10 mins or so.

[Anonymous]

Montessori. Very little desk-sitting. Try to lottery into one like Lee, CHML.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She'll adjust. Some charters are more child-centered (Two Rivers, ITS) but very hard to get into. I think the best thing you can do is minimize the time she's in after/before-care so she can play at home.

I agree with more play at home! I moved my work schedule to allow this, but of course that's not always possible.

I would look at the schools that practice Experiential learning, incl 2 Rivers and Mundo Verde if you can support Spanish, and/or Reggio, like SWS, but of course all of these have low odds of admittance. I would avoid schools that teach to the test and make a big deal out of the PARCC-type assessments.

Thank you! I work from home so once they are out I'm with them and we play a lot...but she's so sad about going to school.

Thanks for the recommendations. I will be trying for all of these and hope we get lucky!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Montessori. Very little desk-sitting. Try to lottery into one like Lee, CHML.

Which one is CHML?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure that exists in DC. Not even in the private schools, really, at least not by 1st grade.

That was my concern...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She'll adjust. Some charters are more child-centered (Two Rivers, ITS) but very hard to get into. I think the best thing you can do is minimize the time she's in after/before-care so she can play at home.

We don't do before or after care. She cried this morning from the time she woke up until we left for school, and then she walked into school like a scolded puppy. It breaks my heart...
Her sister is in the same school and loves it, so I know it's just that my child needs more play. They do sit in their desks A LOT, and then even have silent lunches for the first 10 mins or so.

Well maybe aftercare a few days, assume it is the run-around kind, not the stay inside and color kind, would be a good idea even if you don't really need the child care?

Are you really up for having each kid in a different school, or would you move sibling as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Montessori. Very little desk-sitting. Try to lottery into one like Lee, CHML.

Which one is CHML?

Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan (a city-wide DCPS).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your in-boundary school?

Keep in mind that DCPS schools all have the same curriculum, so you won't have a ton of variety across schools.

That said, kids are definitely not "sitting at their desks all day" in K. There is a lot of learning through play.

PP. Ah, I just realized that you're looking for 1st, not K.

Some privates are definitely more play-based, but since that's not an option, perhaps try for one of the charters like CMI or ITS? Both hard to lottery into, though.

Yes, sorry I wasn't clear. She's in K now and will be going into 1st.
We're at CMI right now... Which my other child loves but this one doesn't. She has a great teacher and loves to play with her classmates but it's way more structured than we'd like and they don't get too much freedom during school hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She'll adjust. Some charters are more child-centered (Two Rivers, ITS) but very hard to get into. I think the best thing you can do is minimize the time she's in after/before-care so she can play at home.

We don't do before or after care. She cried this morning from the time she woke up until we left for school, and then she walked into school like a scolded puppy. It breaks my heart...
Her sister is in the same school and loves it, so I know it's just that my child needs more play. They do sit in their desks A LOT, and then even have silent lunches for the first 10 mins or so.

Well maybe aftercare a few days, assume it is the run-around kind, not the stay inside and color kind, would be a good idea even if you don't really need the child care?

Are you really up for having each kid in a different school, or would you move sibling as well?

I would probably move the sibling as well but I know it could mean that for a year they would be in 2 different schools. I am willing to deal with that because it's better than having a child crying every morning because she doesn't want to go to school.