The kindergarten learning curve

by andrea

Last year around this time, my daughter Emma started junior kindergarten. She learned all sorts of things. She got a great start with early reading, writing and 'rithmetic, and learned surprising things about outer space and medieval times. But as her mom, I did my own share of learning too. It wasn't just Emma's first year at school; it was my first time as a mother of a school-age child.

I thought it was going to be a breeze, in fact, I didn't think very much about it at all. I figured all I had to do was get her dressed, make sure her hair was braided and her shoes were tied and that's it.

But I was wrong. And what's worse is that most of the time I had no idea what I was doing. I felt like a trout thrown into a tub of hot oatmeal. I did a lot of failing around -- gasping for air -- that sort of thing.

Now this is embarrassing to admit, but I totally misinterpreted what it meant that kindergarten was a half-day long. As a work-at-home mom I was eagerly anticipating the amount of stuff I was going to get accomplished during that magical child-free half day (which I estimated was going to be four hours or so). Time would finally be my friend! I would get so much work done, clean out the closets, fold the laundry, and have dinner on the table when everyone got home!

Little did I know that the kindergarten day is exactly two-point-five hours long. So much for my big plans. I also learned that our school is an "early start" school. Translation: classes start at 8 a.m. At least I was fortunate to snag a spot in the afternoon class. I'm sure this saved me from accidentally, groggily, arriving at school while still wearing my housecoat.

I also found out that groups of children in the JK program were to start at staggered times during the first week of school, not on the actual day-after-Labour-day NORMAL first day of school. They said something about "easing the transition" but I’m not sure if they were referring to the parents or the children.

It all seems so different from when I was in kindergarten. There were definitely no staggered start days. Another big difference? I walked to school by myself. And it wasn't because my mother was too busy buffing the linoleum to walk with me. That’s just the way it was. It was unusual to see a parent near or on school property. In fact, if a mother (or heaven forbid, a father) was spotted before, during or after school hours it could only mean one thing: a meeting with the principal and possible suspension.

I think it's wonderful that parents can get involved in their children's educations today, and that it's not considered unusual to see parents at school. Communication between school and home is important, but one thing I would like to close the door on is the amount of paperwork that arrives in our child's backpack everyday.

I've written about this before. I was ill prepared for the administration side of things and what a huge paper shuffle it was all going to be. Perhaps it's because I need a proper filing system. In our house, papers that are supposed to be signed and returned sometimes end up in the recycle bin, and other non-urgent papers lie around the house until someone slips and falls, and THEN go in the recycle bin.

Ideally, I would like all communications to come to me in a digital format, with concise summaries written at the top. I need to know -- right away -- if it is urgent, if it can wait, if I need to send money, how much, and what the deadline is. And then I need someone else to come to my house and circle the date in my calendar.

This year is going to be different. Emma and I have one year of school under our belts. We definitely know what we’re doing now. But did I mention that her teacher just called and told me that her senior kindergarten class doesn’t begin until the end of the week?

Comments

[Elise]

Andrea - I was born in Toronto and lived there until I was 5 when we moved to the States. I remember junior kindergarten! I did JK in Toronto and then just started regular US kindergarten when we came here. None of the kids knew what I was talking about when I mentioned JK and SK! I still had my Canadian accent. Needless to say it is long gone. But your post brought back funny memories!

Robin - That school sounds like there is someone a little condescending and obnoxious in charge! If your daughter can only get a good education if you volunteer twice a week, then aren't they saying they aren't up to the task? Sheesh! So sorry to hear that's what you're dealing with this first day of school. We still have a ways to go with our 17-month-old - still doing year-round day care.

[Robin P]

Lillianna is finally in first grade this year. The school day has been cut down so she goes from 7:50am-1:55pm but technically, when I am not working, I have 5 1/2 hours to myself. That sounded great until I realized how fast that time goes by. Last week we got a note home saying if I want my child to get a good education, I need to VOLUNTEER IN THE SCHOOL TWICE A WEEK!!! I don't have any time to myself and now I have to volunteer too? I'm not happy about this.