Kindergarten Expectations
Remember when Kinder was songs, games, recess, along with learning your numbers + how to read with phonics…and it was only a half day long?
Today’s kindergartens give children 10-15 minutes of recess, lists of sight words, last all day long, and children are told they won’t read until they’re in third grade (just when high stakes testing comes knocking on their door).
We went backwards.
The awesome thing about a homeschool micro school is that you can choose to use what works for your child and family.
Love the 1830’s phonics? Use it. Do you dig the 1980’s blended phonics ways? It’s yours to enjoy! Do both of those not make sense to you…but the ultra modern phonics works for your kiddos? This is the way for your family!
Seriously. This is how homeschooling works and we’re mixing that into this micro school.
But some people still have some questions about…..
What are our expectations for your children before they enter our kinder?
So here they are, in no particular order….
They can tie their shoes by themselves.
They can say “please” and “thank you” at the correct social moments.
They can dress themselves and take care of their belongings.
They can wait patiently for their turn.
They can share, cooperate, and get along with other children.
They can wash their hands, brush their teeth, and keep their personal area clean.
They’ve begun helping with chores at home.
They can politely speak with other children and ask for help.
They’ve assisted with some cooking and baking at home.
Already knowing their numbers (1-10), their letters, and can write their name is nothing but bonus points!
Kinder is only a half day program here because we still believe that five year olds do best spending the majority of their day with their family.
Our end of year academic goal is for your kinder to have earned his or her reading, counting, basic arithmetic, beginning Socratic Circle, repeat back stories, and first writing badges. And, yes, anyone who is moving quickly through all of those badges can move on to 1st grade badges when he or she is ready.
Our end of the year personal goals are for your kinder to love learning, love coming to the micro school, love embracing doing hard things, and to feel confident that he or she can learn and solve problems (academic and personal).
Kindergarten is such a fun and special year that deserves to be full of joy. Let’s bring that back, with love.