I’m kind of freaking out. Big time about to lose it. I am in shock that our oldest daughter will be in Kindergarten next year? How did that happen? I mean, we just brought her home from the hospital! Any other parents out there not ready to have a Kindergartener just yet? ‘Cause I’m not ready for this!
There’s still that long list, all be it ridiculous list, that apparently all kids going into Kindergarten need to be able to do before they go. This is just a bit of it:
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE KINDERGARTEN
- open and close all her lunch containers
- sing the alphabet and write each letter in handwriting
- write her first and last name
- tie her shoes without singing about a bunny
- count to one billion and two
- hold a pencil in perfect pincher grasp
- read every word in the dictionary
The list goes on and on, and now there is also the 1000 books she is apparently supposed to have read before she turns 5 and she also needs to be able to ballroom dance while tying her shoes. Yes, I know the above list is a bit far fetched, that’s the point because ugh, this is ridiculous. So let’s be honest, the majority of this is not going to happen and there is no way I am forcing my kid to do all of this and there is a very little chance she will be able to do all of this by the first day of Kindergarten.
You know what, I’m not worried! She will learn how to write her name, she will ready many books throughout her lifetime (she’s very much a bookworm), and she will have to go through the struggle of figuring out buttons. She will be able to do it all some day. There is no point in my being in a crazy frenzy before Kindergarten.
For now, I am letting my daughter continue to be a kid. She will learn so much in her own time. Isn’t Kindergarten for learning all of this stuff too, and for helping her get there if she does not know “everything”? What I do know is that my daughter loves to learn and she is going to soak it all up when she goes to elementary school next year.
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This is very helpful! No, I don’t think I’ll every be ready!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Don’t stress, Mama! Those lists are insanely over the top! There’s someone who will help with lunch containers and shoe tying. She will learn & excel in her own ways and she will be great! But I can fully agree that time flies way too fast!
Its good to let kids BE kids. They’re forced to grow up too quickly. Enjoy it while you can.
Ugh, we are definitely not ready for kindergarten, I focus on play and letting him be him for a few years. They have so long in school and when they have to ‘grow up’ why do we have to make them do it so young?
We have a year of PreK then K. I have these same concerns and worries but I think our little guy will be ready and if not, we will learn as we go.
I’m pretty sure that list (even the ones you bulleted) is an actual joke. Just somebody being sarcastic. I wouldn’t worry about the counting or spelling their name or anything.
I am so ready for Calvin to go to school. It’s time for somebody else to do the entertaining of my little people! Haha! Go on! Get out of my hair for 8 hours! I’ll have cookies waiting when you get home.
I remember how I felt when my youngest daughter went to Kindergarten. I actually cried a little after I dropped her off (Ok, a lot). Enjoy these days, it flies by. Now she’s 10. :/
My little one is only two right now so I am thankful I have a few more years before I have to be ready, however it’s never too early to start teaching and preparing my beautiful little girl. Thank you for shairng this.
We are one year from Kindergarten! Like you, I’m running through the SAME things!
Our oldest started Kinder this year. I was a mess! They grow way too fast. She’s doing great though so don’t stress mama. It will all work out.
My oldest started Kindergarten last year. It was hard (on me) at first but he is thriving. Man, it’s tough to have our kiddos grow up. 🙁
Oh my goodness, I feel you! Our twins started Kindergarten this year and I miss them like crazy! Absolutely no pressure to do that list though here in Canada, thank goodness. Play is the best form of learning at this age 🙂
I spent 5 years stressed out about sending my first child off to school. But now she is in grade 2 and she loves it so much. I actually just wrote a post about why I love sending my child to school.
I’m not ready!!! I’m so happy my son has a late fall birthday that we get an extra year of him at home 🙂
I love this! As a former teacher, I think we’ve put too much pressure on parents and preschools to have kids be kindergarten ready. In reality, they will learn things when they are ready too.
Haha, I feel the same way! My daughter just turned 5 this week and will be going to Kindergarten next year and I’m kind of in denial.
I felt I wasn’t ready when my son entered K this past school year, but when it was time for him to go, he made that transition so easily. I think it was me that wasn’t ready and not him.