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So, my daughter has been in Pre-K for almost two months now. I know it takes a while to get these young children adjusted to school and a schedule but here is my problem. I have done a lot of teaching on my own. She is above the rest of the kids in her class, every thing they are "teaching" she already knows. I'm not really seeing a big difference in what she is learning at school. Every day when I pick her up I ask what she did at school, did she have fun and what she learned, if something new, etc. Her response in "I don't know" or "Nothing" which kind of coincides with what comes home in her backpack! If anything comes home, it's just drawings and painting, which I LOVE dearly and all children need to express themselves in art. But I'm not seeing anything along the lines of practice writing, shapes, colors, beginning reading and so on! Things they have to know to start kindergarten! The reason I put her in school is the fact that she doesn't want to learn from me anymore! She has gotten to the stage were mommy is no longer interesting when it comes to school and she loves to play with other children, she is very social I thought it was a wonderful idea and she does absolutely love school. I want to talk with the teacher before I go directly to the head of the department, which in a totally different story, offered me a job when she came to my home for an evaluation and saw the way I teach and work with children, she had also spent a couple of days in the class room with my daughter and was very impressed with her, I just don't know how to go about it. I'm a very non-confrontational person most of the time, but this is coming down to my child! I don't want to be rude or sound disrespectful. I just don't know what I should say! Any advice?

Hmmm... I don't have a child in pre-k yet but I was told from my mother in law who is a school board member in another county that pre-k is really just for socialization. Their goals are to teach them to raise their hand before speaking, taking turns, and waiting in line. The only things they might learn or shapes and colors. So maybe they really aren't teaching her anything she already knows.

My sister is a preschool teacher and like you said they do MUCH more in her class than just draw and paint!You are right...your daughter should be learning more..practicing writing all of her letters and numbers, colors and beginning reading. Perhaps you could approach the teacher just inquiring, teacher to teacher, about the curriculum and seeing where they will be within the next few weeks. Then if you are not happy with the curriculum then you could consider going to the director/head of the department. Sadly in our society today most of the preschoolers aren't like ours who already know their numbers, colors, letters and shapes. Your daughter may unfortunately be stuck having to wait until everyone can catch up to her....which isn't fair to your daughter. Perhaps a gifted program if available would benefit your daughter more? It's tough though because gifted preschool programs are a bit costly...

Hope that helps a little..good luck!

I should ad that my sister teaches a gifted preschool program and that may be why the curriculum is more structured than your daughters.

Can I ask where she is going to school? My daughter is in a three year old program, and it's great. She's learned so much- she can name all the states and their capitals, and has learned so much reagrding socialization with peers. She does a lot of art, but it's all directly realted to the curriculum. I would suggest talking to the teacher, and then going to the director if you still aren't seeing changes.

I'm sure this is such a tough situation for you. My daughter is much younger, but I also worry that she already knows much of what is taught in her class.

However, I think it's great they are reinforcing what she knows. And they are awesome about going above and beyond and working individually with her. The other day she said, "May I be excused from the table?" What!? I know her teacher taught her that!

Now since your daughter is in pre-K, I would probably be a bit more concerened. My mother teachers pre-K in a different county, and they really teach the kids wonderful concepts - opposites, writing letters, everything! I would definitley speak to the teacher.

One big question I have is, is she in a regular pre-K class or VPK?

I taught a Pre-K class myself for 2 years so I know from, according to the state who provides the funds and the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua who strictly regulate and keep a watch on the program, all of the coalitions for that matter, that the should all ready know these things going into Pre-k but they should be re-enforced. That's the problem I'm having, I don't want to go in to the conversation sounding like a "know it all" because most parents who have never worked in daycare have no idea what is expected of the teachers and what requirements need to be met. She goes to a public school in Gilchrist, which is ranked top in the state on their standardized tests (FCAT).

Karen: Where, if you wouldn't mind telling me, you can send a PM to keep private, does your sister work? I know you are from Chiefland and it's not to far from me. I may look into the gifted program.

Stacy: She is in the VPK program for half the day and the other half we pay. But like I said before, I worked in and with the VPK program for a couple of years, they have guide lines that must be followed.

Again, I don't want to approach the teacher as a "know it all" but I do want to make sure that she is getting all the learning and knowledge that I know she deserves!

It sounds similar to how I felt at the beginning of last year when my daughter was in preschool. I probably would have worried more if the aide in the classroom hadn't been a friend that I would call and felt free to ask her any questions I had. The program my daughter was in (different state I know but still...) had regulations to follow and a portfolio was kept on each child so that was one reason I wasn't seeing very many of their instructional things come home. They needed them for the portfolio. Maybe you could simply ask the teacher how they keep track of progress being made in that preschool program. I never really got to see my daughters portfolio until the first set of conferences in November but was amazed when I did get to see all they had been doing. I felt much better knowing that she was learning and they were doing lots of things to prepare my daughter for Kindergarten. If you set up a time to talk with the teacher, just stating that you wanted to check on your child's progress I think that is a fair thing to ask of the teacher and it would hopefully put your concerns to rest. I know preschool used to be more for socialization but at least in Ohio where I live, they are given a set of standards to teach just like every other grade. You could probably ask the teacher if that is the case in Florida. If they do have a set, ask for a copy so you know what is expected of your child before they go to Kindergarten. I don't think that would come across as being a know it all mom but rather a mother concerned with her child's education. Believe me, as a teacher, I love those parents!

My son (3 y.o.) started pre-school this year. They had a parents' meeting about 4 weeks into the year.

The director (teaching montessori method for about 15 years) said kids in this age range will almost always respond "nothing" or "I don't know" when asked what they did that day.

The work/toys/and etc. all new and they are learning how to use them, so they can't necessarily explain what it is they are doing with them.


Also, she used this example: What would you to explain what you did all day when you were just learning it. It would be hard to do if you don't have complete understanding of it. Also, since it is playing, and the children think you are asking about "serious learning", they may think they haven't done much to tell you about.

I know it is frustrating to have your kid answer "nothing" when you asked what they did that day! I found if I asked him more specific questions, I got better information: "What was your favorite toy today?" "What letter did you practice today?". Also, when I pick him up, I ask him to show me his favorite thing from the day and he'll take me around the room and show me what he did.

My son also replies "nothing" when I asked him what he does every day, although I know that is far from true. There is so much learning that goes on every day, many of it I don't see (I too get home a few pictures and paintings every day). I just have confidence that his teachers are excellent. They have an open house where they go over each month's curriculum with the parents, and believe me, they do a lot.

So I'm sure your daughter is learning and reinforcing a lot of the skills she needs. But if you have any doubt at all, talk to the teacher about what their curriculum is each month. If they won't discuss that with you, then you know you have a problem!

This is exactly why I chose to NOT enroll H in VPK. My husband's aunt runs a VPK out of her home and she tried to make me feel like I was depriving H of an education and that she wouldn't be ready for Kindergarten and such. I shook all that off especially since when we went for K orientation, they went over a lot of what is expected and H already knows it. And is well socialized to boot (her teacher in K uses her as an example to the rest of the kids all the time).

I think PreK is a good option for 2 income familes or situations where one parent is unable to stay home with the children or is otherwise uninterested in teaching their kid, but for those of us who have that option and do alot of home teaching, VPK may not be more than social time for the kids.

As for the "nothing" response. I think that's common. Everyday H says school was WONDERFUL. I find it hard to believe that every day is wonderful. And when I ask what she did, she says she can't remember. Then goes into an hour long diatribe about her day. I think 'nothing' and ' I don't remember' are canned responses that they learn early on.

Of course, if you have concerns, I'm sure the teacher won't object to a meeting for a progress report. Then you could ask her your questions. She would probably welcome the feedback. Most teachers do.

Actually, now that I think of it, when I ask my son what he does every day, he says, "play." I know for sure he doesn't just play every day, but I think it's nice that they make learning so much fun, that he doesn't even realize that's what he's doing!

Now I'm a mom who doesn't have her child in daycare or pre-school so I'm a little confused about exactly what is expected of my child when she reaches kindergarten. Her dad has taught her shapes and colors and animals. She doesn't exactly count right and doesn't recognize the alphabet but we are working on that. We're of the philosphy that you are only young once and childhood is for play. So what are your little children learning in school this early? I know I never went to preschool or kindergarten. My mom never worked with me. I went into the the first grade and was at the bottom of the class. It was embarrassing and a difficult time but within a month I was in gifted. I certainly wouldn't wish on my child what I experienced but then again I have friends whose two year old could count to 100 and I was thinking... is that really necessary?

Kristen..I definitely don't think 100 is necessary!! My kids stay home with me all day..no pre school/day care. My 3 year old can count to 20...she sometimes forgets 14 and 15. She can say and write the ABC's. She knows all primary colors and most all shapes very well. The things she knows that I am impressed with are opposites...we go through them as a game at the grocery store...and she just recently has shown great interest, all on her own, in spelling. She can now write her name, my name(mommy),'daddy','bunny','Tasha'(from Backyardigans) and 'loves'. I have worked with her but not fanatically. Just in fun ways. She also loves mazes so I went to Walmart and bought her a couple of maze books. So no, I don't think it is necessary to cram knowledge into them...but do recognize when they are open for learning. You don't need to have special sessions or anything...the opportunities just sort of present themselves....like on walks pointing out the colors of flowers, the shapes that you can see, or how many cars in each driveway. They are such sponges at this age, 0-3...

I am sending mine to get accustomed to a classroom, being away from home, responding to teachers, taking turns sharing, etc. No home work yet!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LEW,

Here's the stuff that they said Hannah needed to know for Kindergarten....

Write most of his/her name
count to 10
name basic colors
recognize basic shapes
recognize a few letters found in his/her name
hold a pencil properly
use scissors and crayons.

Of course, they will also have behavorial expectations like solving conflict without hitting and listen without interrupting and zip and button clothing and tie shoes. Hannah doesn't tie shoes, but she doesn't wear laced shoes right now anyway...baby steps. And we're working on the whole scissors thing....who lets their 4yo use scissors??? But al in all she's doing well.