More and more schools across the U.S. have been making the switch from half-day to full-day kindergarten programs. In New Hampshire nearly 75 percent of communities already offer full-day kindergarten. Pelham New Hampshire, for example, is one of only six public school districts in the state that do not currently offer full day kindergarten. The town will vote on March 8, 2022. And although research on the impact of full-day learning programs has yielded overwhelmingly positive results, there are still some schools that have yet to make that change.
If you’re unsure of your stance in this ongoing debate, then keep reading because we’re about to break down the conversation!
It’s no secret that the more time students spend learning the better, and that goes for kindergarteners, too. Many school systems recommend that a child receive the following instruction each day: 1 ½ hour of reading, 1 ¼ hour of math, ½ hour of science, ½ hour of social studies. Such recommendations simply cannot be met within a 2 ½ hour school day.
Much research has looked at the effects of full-day kindergarten, and there is an across-the-board consensus that it leads to improved test scores, literacy skills, and mathematical skills. Arts are effective for fine and gross motor activities and for socialization skills. Full-day kindergarten would allow more time for artistic exploration, which is critical for holistic development.
The social benefits of full-day programs are just as compelling. In order to flourish academically, students need to be set up for success socially and emotionally, and this is especially true now more than ever.
The pandemic has made the need for social enrichment even more pressing: Students need time to build meaningful, healthy relationships with their peers and teachers. Full-day programs can give kindergarteners the opportunity to do so by fully immersing them in their academic community! There is time for more cohesive learning. A class starts a story building project in the morning, and there is time to share after lunch. This builds group and social skills.
Results seem positive in every way, but there is strong debate.
Many argue that half-day programs were created for a reason—a transition period. It is believed that 2 ½ hour days are a happy medium that allow young students to acclimate themselves to classroom procedures in the school before taking on full days.
Another consideration is cost: Full-day programs are, of course, more expensive than half-day ones, and that is always an important factor to consider. An interested parent can look into the district’s specific budget to determine whether this would be a make-or-break issue, because this is definitely region-specific. (There are certainly school districts out there that have the financial capacity to expand their programs as efficiently as possible.) There is no federal funding for kindergarten programs beyond half days. However, according to the Concord Monitor, in 2017, Governor Sununu signed full-day kindergarten legislation with funding tied to the success of the legalized keno lottery.
Although the short term benefits of full-day learning for kindergarteners are undeniable, there is a lack of research proving that these benefits will last well into a student’s academic career. This doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t last. It simply means that there is no sufficient research on the long lasting impact—yet!
If you’re reading this and your little one attends a Pelham Elementary School (PES) in New Hampshire, then this article is certainly important for you! On March 8, 2022, you will have the opportunity to vote either for or against a full-day kindergarten program which, if implemented, will go into effect for the 2022-2023 school year.
- Full Day Kindergarten - Principal VanVranken and Superintendent McGee discuss the proposed change for Pelham for next year, plans and impacts on the school and budget.
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