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Eireann
Two ladies and a gentleman!
Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
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Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
Does your child's school incorporate playtime into the regular day?
Ours does, but my cousin--who is a kindergarten teacher--says her students are working all day long; playtime is no more. Both schools are within the Brooklyn Diocese--in other words, Catholic schools.
I don't know...it sort of made me sad that some kindergartens aren't allowed any downtime during the day.
Just wondering what the norm is...
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Posted 10/20/10 9:17 AM  |
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Kathy
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/05 718 total posts
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
Do you mean no outdoor recess either?? or playtime in the classroom. My son is in kindy and he has recess every day and they even have a "kid fitness" which is 10-15 minutes every other day to stretch out, dance silly or a small gym activity.
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| Posted 10/20/10 9:35 AM |
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Eireann
Two ladies and a gentleman!
Member since 5/05 12165 total posts
Name:
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
Oh, yes, I didn't clarify. My DD's school has lunch/recess and so does hers. I"m not sure how long for each, but then they have actual playtime with blocks, dollhouses, etc. at a different point in the classroom during the day apart from lunch. My cousin's school does NOT have this part.
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| Posted 10/20/10 9:38 AM |
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Dani922
Here's to new beginnings
Member since 10/07 7260 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
That makes me sad too  My DD's class has recess & a playtime almost everyday. They either go outside to play if it's nice or they have "center time" which involves blocks, the kitchen or other toys in the classroom, clay, etc. Her teacher said if they're really busy, they'll skip that, but usually they will have that playtime everyday. IMHO, 5 years old is too young to be working all day without a break for playtime.
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| Posted 10/20/10 10:02 AM |
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SoinLove
Making big changes
Member since 5/05 16541 total posts
Name:
Kristin
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
DS' class definitely gets a play time (in addition to lunch time recess). It makes me sad that not all students get that chance. They're only 5 and it's a LONG day...why can't we let kids be kids?
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| Posted 10/20/10 10:06 AM |
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curley999
Family!
Member since 5/05 2314 total posts
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
When my DD was in K, they only had class playtime on Fridays. It was called chioce time and the kids looked foward to it all week. Obviously they had recess everyday too. Early on I thought it was too little play, but DD loved kindergarden and there was always so many fun activites/celebreations going on, it wasnt a big issue.
In hindsight I am kinda glad K didnt have more playtime, becuase the transition to the reality of first grade was already difficult with the work load and seriousness.
ETA: There are no toys at all in the first grade class room and my DD goes to a public school in Queens.
Message edited 10/20/2010 10:12:30 AM.
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| Posted 10/20/10 10:11 AM |
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my3bugs
Mom of 2 Boys
Member since 5/05 4381 total posts
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
Yes, they have some sort of "playtime". My son's K class has "centers" - blocks, kitchen, computer, art, etc. They can pick which one they are allowed to go to - not sure exactly how they pick, how long they go to center or how often they go to centers. I know they don't go to centers everyday. I know they get baskets at their tables too - I know some is art, stencils, some kind of small hand motor block toy, etc. I think they do that when the teacher works with them in small groups or when they get in in the morning - still trying to understand where that fits in.
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| Posted 10/20/10 10:29 AM |
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05mommy09
Family of 5!
Member since 5/05 15364 total posts
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<3 Mommy <3
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
DS has lunch time and recess daily.
They also have center time, which I assume is a structured free play. This happens ALMOST everyday; but sometimes if they have too much work or whatever it gets skipped.
To be honest, Im happy it is set up that way. All of the learning activities are fun, and so it isnt like they are glued to their seats without a break..
DS came from a preschool where their only "free play" time was from "recess" and from center time... so he is use to it!
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| Posted 10/20/10 10:36 AM |
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twobabies
Praying
Member since 7/05 9662 total posts
Name:
Mrs. Honeybee
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
Posted by Niecey
Yes, they have some sort of "playtime". My son's K class has "centers" - blocks, kitchen, computer, art, etc. They can pick which one they are allowed to go to - not sure exactly how they pick, how long they go to center or how often they go to centers. I know they don't go to centers everyday. I know they get baskets at their tables too - I know some is art, stencils, some kind of small hand motor block toy, etc. I think they do that when the teacher works with them in small groups or when they get in in the morning - still trying to understand where that fits in.
this is the same with my dc when they were in kindergarten.
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| Posted 10/20/10 10:56 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
Posted by 05mommy09
DS has lunch time and recess daily.
They also have center time, which I assume is a structured free play. This happens ALMOST everyday; but sometimes if they have too much work or whatever it gets skipped.
To be honest, Im happy it is set up that way. All of the learning activities are fun, and so it isnt like they are glued to their seats without a break..
DS came from a preschool where their only "free play" time was from "recess" and from center time... so he is use to it!
Same here.
Our Kindergarten in only a half day - and a portion includes a special each day (art, music, health, gym).
I wouldn't feel sad. Play time means different things to different kids. If they're running around a gym & learning a game, isn't that playing? They have lunch recess where they can play with each other.
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| Posted 10/20/10 11:14 AM |
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Kathy
LIF Adolescent
Member since 7/05 718 total posts
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
He also has center time which has a kitchen option to play in, blocks, markers, etc.
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| Posted 10/20/10 1:08 PM |
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CunningOne
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Member since 5/05 26975 total posts
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
My son finished K last year. He's in a catholic school. They get 30 minutes of recess after lunch each day, and they pretty much take them outside all year unless it's raining or snowing. Aside from recess, there was no scheduled play time during the school day. However, if they finished working on their work, they had free time to play in the classroom. Not sure how much that amounted to, but DS would always tell me he played with so and so and he never complained.
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| Posted 10/20/10 2:28 PM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
They had longer recess - and their "center" work was kind of 'guided' play with a purpose.
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| Posted 10/20/10 2:52 PM |
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TeeDee09
LIF Adult
Member since 1/07 1011 total posts
Name:
E
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
I'm crashing here...I am a Catholic school teacher previously taught in one school for 6 years and now in a different Catholic school.
At the first school (where I taught PreK and K) they did have Centers. The present school I'm teaching in (PreK) does have playtime/center time in PreK but not in K. I don't agree with it at all. I think it's way too much for the children to be sitting at a desk all day at that age. They do art projects about twice a week.
I'm a big advocate for playtime/Centers in Pre-k and K. It helps the children use their imagination, strengthen their social skills, and provides a foundation for reading in math if constructed properly.
I'm in the Brooklyn Diocese as well.
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| Posted 10/20/10 6:35 PM |
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twicethefun
Loving life
Member since 7/06 4088 total posts
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
Posted by TeeDee09
I'm crashing here...I am a Catholic school teacher previously taught in one school for 6 years and now in a different Catholic school.
At the first school (where I taught PreK and K) they did have Centers. The present school I'm teaching in (PreK) does have playtime/center time in PreK but not in K. I don't agree with it at all. I think it's way too much for the children to be sitting at a desk all day at that age. They do art projects about twice a week.
I'm a big advocate for playtime/Centers in Pre-k and K. It helps the children use their imagination, strengthen their social skills, and provides a foundation for reading in math if constructed properly.
I'm in the Brooklyn Diocese as well.
I agree. Additionally it promotes problem solving, critical thinking, fine motor skills, perceptual understanding...etc. Its sad that people do not take play seriously at this age. I find most of the schools with good ratings do recognize the value of play.
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| Posted 10/20/10 7:26 PM |
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monkeybride
My Everything
Member since 5/05 20541 total posts
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Re: Kindergarten parents and BTDT...
My DD is in a Montessori school. They do outdoor play time twice a day.
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| Posted 10/21/10 1:58 AM |
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