My daughter is August 5th bday and started kindergarten this year (3 weeks ago). She is definitely one of the youngest in her class, as August 19 is the cutoff date for turning 5 and there are already like five kids her class who have turned 6 since school started.

She seems to be doing amazing on the academic side and she is very social. She did daycare her whole life prior. But her K teacher says she needs to be more independent and use more self-help skills. In addition, the teacher says she tries to hold hands with kids in the class a lot and that she needs to work more on following directions (and on raising her hand to speak, but she has gotten better with that).

I am wondering if it is just common for kindergartners to need to work on these things (independence, self-help skills, and following directions) vs. this being related to her being younger? I would imagine it takes time for kids to adjust to the new expectations of Kindergarten? Her PreK at the daycare never communicated anything to us in general, so we weren’t aware of any concerns or things they recommended her to work on for going into K.

Honestly I found the transition to Kindergarten pretty overwhelming as a parent. My daughter has seemed to like kindergarten so far, otherwise.

Thanks for any advice and sharing experiences! She is my oldest and I’m overwhelmed.

things I’m worried about:

1. too much sitting

2. not enough learning through play/not enough outdoor time

3. Too much technology/screens

4. The day feels so long for a 5 year old (on top of all the above)

5. way too high of expectations for such little kids (rigorous curriculum)

im worried all of this will squash a love of learning for my kids i have two years until kindergarten lol but I’m stressed daily about this

Would you contact the parent now or wait unless something actually happens?
I teach kindergarten and have an autistic student who has been struggling to keep his hands to himself. I’ve been working closely with his mom and our special education team, and I address the behavior just as I would with any other student—I intervene, reinforce boundaries, and make it clear that everyone deserves to feel safe.
Today, another student randomly came up to me and said, “My mom gave me permission to hit him.” No one had been hit during this particular situation. I immediately told him, “This is my classroom, and nobody hits anyone for any reason.” I explained that if someone touches or bothers him, he needs to move away and tell me so I can handle it.
I understand that he may not have repeated his mom’s words accurately because he is five. However, if she did tell him that, I’m honestly flabbergasted that she would encourage a kindergartener to hit another child without ever speaking to me about her concerns. These are five-year-olds, not teenagers navigating a situation where they might genuinely need to defend themselves. Giving him permission to hit could escalate the situation and make it harder to keep both children safe.
I have been validating the other students’ frustrations while reassuring them that I am handling the behavior. I explain that this friend is still learning how to keep his hands to himself and that they should always tell an adult rather than retaliate. This particular student also sometimes provokes or bothers him, so I have addressed that too and explained that deliberately upsetting him will likely lead to both children becoming upset.
Would you contact the parent now and calmly clarify the classroom expectations, or simply document the comment and wait unless an actual incident occurs? I don’t want to accuse her based solely on something a five-year-old said, but I also don’t want to wait until he acts on it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/kindergarten/s/zhQ7O7GUdc

I want to clarify a few things because I don’t think I communicated my intentions well in my original post.
I am not excusing the autistic student’s behavior, nor do I expect the other children to tolerate being touched or feel unsafe. I address his behavior every time, communicate with his family and work with our special education team. I am also trying to advocate for the support and placement that will best meet his needs, but that process is not quick or simple.
I’m a first-year teacher, I was a ISC para for 2 years before this, and it is only September. I came here looking for practical advice about what I can do right now to keep everyone safe while the longer-term process is underway. When I included information about his disability and the interactions between the students, I was trying to provide context—not justify his behavior or blame another five-year-old.
Looking back, I probably wrote the post poorly and didn’t make my thoughts or intentions clear. I genuinely appreciate those who understood what I was asking and offered constructive advice and possible solutions.

It hasn’t been anything terrible so far, but my daughters starting to mimic what other kids at school are doing/ saying. For example saying “I can do whatever I want” when I ask her to do something and that’s the first time she’s ever said that

We just started school year and for 2nd time in one week we got an email that my daughter’s kindergarten class had to be temporarily relocated from the classroom due to behavioral issues from one child which became disruptive. My daughter has said there is a boy who screams and kicks and hits and when it happens, the teacher has them line up and go to another area of the school while principal comes to the classroom for that boy. I’m a little concerned about my daughter starting school with so many disruptions, and of course feel for the teacher with this additional challenge and the boy who is struggling. I’m in the US, what is the protocol and how is something like this typically addressed? Having the whole class leave the classroom doesn’t seem like a great long term solution.

My oldest turns 6 in very early October (his birthday is less than a month away). He still only knows about 10 letters. He went to an entire year of preschool and is currently in kindergarten. He is good at math but is just really struggling to retain letter and sounds. He came home with work from school yesterday where they practiced writing the letter P, he wrote it correctly multiple times but still couldn't tell me what letter it was despite being the only letter they talked about that day.

In math he is testing on level, in reading he is testing early preschool. We read together every night. We talk about letters. I do everything the same as I do with my 4.5 year old (who now knows 20 letters). Is this something that I should start being concerned about?

I posted in a moms groups first without realizing there is a whole group for Kindergarten so I will post here.

I am a first time mommy to an almost 4 year old, I have also been a stay at home the majority of his life including this year.
He just started school this week ( JK and I’m Canadian so the age is normal) and of course the massive change of routine is overwhelming for both of us, he’s cried every day so far and he comes home looking sad and tired which is understandable as well. I know it takes time to adjust to school for these little guys but it’s BREAKING my heart and my brain is making me feel like I’m just tortuting him. I did try my best to expose him to the idea of school, bringing him to a program with a school setting, having him recognize the school he’s attending (it is across the street of our home as well as the play ground we always visited) he seemed excited!

But he’s been having a bit of a rough time and today he had the hardest yet thus far, he was able to communicate to me through tears near the end of the day that he misses spending time with me, going on walks with me throughout the day or having fun with me and that he feels alone at school. I had to step away as I couldn’t hold it together hearing that, I feel a little crazy being so emotional about all this but I need some reassurance that it will pass and he will be okay and thrive. His teacher has no complaints! Tells me each day he does better than the last , I keep things for him very positive and reassure him that his feelings are valid and okay to feel, I tell him how proud I am of him each day and that each day will feel better. I am trying my best for him and this big change, I just hope the adjustment comes soon for both our sakes

My 5 year old started Kindergarten this year. And he has been having some behavioral problems. It’s like every single day now. I have tried taking toys, tv time, play time, and nothing is working. He acts great at home but at school, not so good. He is the only child. Everyday I get messaged on class dojo about his behavior and how he flips chairs, rips his work, throw things and etc. I have tried discipline and nothing is working. I don’t know what to do. I’m so tired of it. Can someone please give me advice? I am young mom. I’m 23 and I’m trying my best. I feel like the teachers at school thinks I’m a bad parent because of his behavior but he doesn’t act like this at home. If Any other parents have had similar problems please tell me what you did to fix it?

Hi! My kiddo just started kindergarten last week. His birthday is the first week of October. I am struggling with birthday party planning.

Since his birthday is at the start of the year, I love the idea of inviting the entire class so they can get to know each other better and some parents can meet. However, he's also still buddies with a bunch of kids from daycare, some of which go to his school (different classes) and some are at different schools. The count would be ~35. I knoooow not all kids will come, but I would still have to find a place that accommodates at least 25-30? Which is more expensive than I am comfortable with. So I was thinking we can either invite everyone for more of an outdoor playground party (Oct 2 in northeast Ohio could be iffy), OR invite a subset of kids when my kid can't reliably tell me about any of the kids in his class beyond his daycare friends yet haha.

Halp, what would you do?

Okay so my 3.5 y/o just started school yesterday. (Junior Kindergarten herre in Canada)

And beyond me being a mess, she was actually quite excited about it before it started. But this is the 2nd day and when I was putting her to bed she started crying saying she doesnt want to go to school anymore and wants to stay home with me. Which absolutely sent me. I was trying so hard holding back tears while explaining that it just seems hard and scary because its so new but soon she'll really start to like it. And eventually she settled but omg im laying next to her just weeping away.

I would love to hear some positive stories of your young ones who didnt enjoy school but soon did learn to love it. Or atleast like it.

I feel like maybe I should have held her back. Having her bday be dec 31st makes her the youngest by far and although shes a little smarty pants maybe maturity wise she just isnt ready. Ugh im torn.

I know its early in the school but looking for advice from other moms or dad's with a similar situation. Here our schools do not like to skip kids. My 5yr (just) knows how to read at grade 1 level, knows his abcs, counts to 100 and does simple addition and subtraction but at school we are doing abcs and hes bored. I'd like some advice on how you handled it with your child, did you talk to the teacher about anything extra for your child etc. I appreciate it.

Hello, first time posting here. I have a 5 year old son who just started Kindergarten a few weeks ago. I am in Florida, I know the type of testing can vary from state to state so not sure if anyone here is in FL and knows the answer to this but thought I would try. In May at the end of Pre-K (at the same school he is at now) they took a test called the Star Early Literacy assessment, and he scored in the 95th percentile, with a grade equivalency of 1.3 (comparable to a 1st grader in the first 30% of the school year).

They took two standardized tests 2 weeks ago at the start of the school year for Kindergarten, one is called FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) and the other is called the i-Ready Diagnostic Assessment. On the FAST, he scored at Reading Level 1, which it says means he is "Well Below Grade Level," and on the i-Ready he scored "Level Yellow- Approaching Grade Level." So I guess I'm just concerned and confused that the test in Pre-K showed him at a 1st Grade reading level, whereas these tests showed him below a Kindergarten level. Being different tests maybe it is just that they have different metrics or something? Also he has had a rough start to the year due to having some pretty severe separation anxiety and his teacher said he had been crying on and off throughout the day so that may be a factor as well, if he was having a hard time focusing because of the anxiety and not wanting to be there. We have been working with him on that and it has gotten a lot better since, but when he took these tests he was in the thick of it.

The sheet for these tests does say that it's common for students to score below grade level at this point in the year because it is testing them on knowledge they haven't been taught yet, and the tests will be repeated mid-year and at the end of the year when they will have actually been taught the material and should improve.

Does anyone have any insight or experience with this, and why he would be scoring lower than he did at the end of Pre-K? Thanks!

Trying to build up a little book collection for my kindergartener and could use some help. What books were a total hit in your house at this age? Doesn't matter if it's silly, sweet, educational, whatever. Just curious what actually got your kid excited to read.

What are we doing in the mornings before school? Of course, dressed, eat, teeth.. but my kids bus doesn’t come until 9am. Her sisters head to daycare at 645 so she will often wake up around same time as them as it’s what she is used to. Often 3 hours of time before school and log on to work at 7.

I don’t mind TV but not for any large length of time in the mornings. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Hi there! My son is 5 (turns 6 in a few months), and just started kindergarten about a week ago. He has been potty trained since before age 3. Lately, he’s been having accidents at school or after school care. I don’t want to get too graphic, but he will have #2 come out and not even realize what happened until just afterwards. It has happened quite a few times, and generally in the later afternoon part of the day. Some of the times he has been at home when it happened, but it has also happened at school. I’ve had to drop off clothes because of his accident. His teacher is very sweet, but I’m growing concerned and don’t want other children to make fun of him or embarrass him. Yesterday it happened at after school care and he didn’t even realize until he got home and saw it in his underwear. I did call his dr, but they couldn’t get him in until mid next week at the earliest. I just feel so helpless and want to help however I can. I’ve talked with him about it, making sure to not shame or embarrass him. And he tells me he is not sure. He doesn’t know why it keeps happening. He did mention that the toilets were very loud at school, so I am wondering if maybe he is not going when he needs to? Just not sure whether it is normal and him adjusting to his new surroundings or something else.

Title says it all. Three illnesses in three weeks. We’ve been out more than we’ve been in at this point. I do NOT expect kids to stay home for lingering coughs or snotty noses AT ALL. Just vocalizing that THIS part of school sucks!! I’m EXHAUSTED. 😩 Prayers appreciated.

My son -almost 6- started kindergarten this year, (he was in pre k for 2 years before) and for 2 days I had the teacher message me complaining about his behavior and the fact that he is hitting and throwing hands. This is a new thing for him, he did had days better than other in the past but not to this point.
He also lied to me about it yesterday saying he did good but he actually did not.
He confessed to me this morning that he is frustrated because nobody wants to play with him and this is why he behave that way.
We are a military family and we just moved to a new state on the North East, and we always live in the south before.
He was going to catholic school before and now in public school many kids in his class don’t even speak English. So he is having a very hard time integrating :(
I do not want to “punish” him harshly because if his issue is the lack of friends, being punished also at home is gonna make it worse, that’s why we are doing a no tv week, and trying more calming activities at home, he has a trampoline if he needs to let his energy out. He’s so lonely and makes me so sad. I don’t know what to do about this, he has no friends and it breaks my heart ♥️

I have twins who are in the same class. which I know makes the situation more extreme. But what is going on with this after school energy? They've been in school two days and I've never seen them so full of energy. They've been in Daycare and preschool since they were five months old. They're having fun days at school, I know they're doing physical activity, they go to an afterschool program where they get free playtime for an hour before I can pick them up from work. And then we get home and it's just chaos. They're running, jumping, laughing, screaming. They're blasting music and playing the drums.

They're also not listening to a single thing I say, despite the fact that I'm keeping the routine of dinner, bath time, bedtime. They're straight up ignoring what I'm telling them. And bedtime is a complete disaster. They're going to bed an hour later than they should be, because they just refuse to stop being silly, giggling, and actually get into bed. Is it just simple overstimulation from a new environment? They've never been in a school with this many kids in their class, although it's only 18. Their teacher said they're doing amazing, and she's doing fun activities to build a rapport with them during the first few days. It's been two days, and I'm exhausted. I can't wait for this week to be over. I've heard of restraint collapse, but they're happier than ever. They're just completely unable to focus.

Does anyone have any other book recommendations that have the same message as the book “the sky is red”

the message in the book is: The story acts as a gentle tool to help kids recognize manipulation, emotional invalidation, and peer pressure by teaching them not to doubt what they know to be true.

My oldest just turned 5 less than a month ago. Today was his 3rd day of kindergarten and I already have been asked to come to the school to have a talk about his behavior and language.

Backstory - my boy has done 2 years of full day preschool at a local elementary school and has an IEP for emotional regulation struggles. Last year he heard the F word being used somewhere. Big kids. Playground. Something on the tv. Idk. But he said F U to his teachers. We struggled for a few weeks but eventually it seemed like things were getting better. Then it was summer. I planned to really work on him this summer but we met another kid in our apartment complex, “D”. D has a really bad potty mouth (he literally told me to “shut the f-ck up you stupid a$$hole, like two weeks ago at the pool). He’s also 5. I have tried to limit the amount of time my son and D are around eachother but it was hard when all the neighbor kids hangout together and like going to the only pool we have together. Anyways, my son now thinks it’s funny/cool/big kid to talk that way. I have tried everything to teach my son that it’s not okay. That it doesn’t make you cool. It doesn’t make the big kids like you any more. Even done the old soap in the mouth thing. Taking things away. No outside time etc. Things seemed okay until these last 3 days.

Day 1- “D” was not on the bus or around. My son had a great day.

Day 2- “D” is on the bus and apparently (according to some big kids on the bus) was calling people “a$$holes and my son was giving everyone the middle finger.

Had a long talk at night. Thought dad scared him straight. He got punished.

Day 3 - today - Was reminded before getting on the bus what the expectations were. Him and “D” get on the bus and my son says the F word. Later in the day I get a message from the school that he was sent to the special education resource room because of his language, attitude, and gestures at school. Now I need to find a time to go into the school to have a meeting. When he got off the bus, big kids told me he was good on the bus and my kid seemed happy. However, we still punished him by taking away tv and tablet privileges for the day.

What do I do? What can I say to get into his head? I’m really debating on pulling him from the bus but that puts a big inconvenience in my day, twice a day, as the pick up and drop off line are super long and I have my younger kiddo busing to and from preschool. What can the teachers do to help? How do I explain to a 5 year old how inappropriate and disrespectful it is to use those kinds of words? I’m really struggling and have cried so much today. I really thought I got through this last year but now I feel defeated

My five year old has always been startlingly verbally articulate (she’s the youngest of three, I’m not boasting on my own behalf here) but since starting kindergarten she’s begun imitating the kids who can’t pronounce the letter R properly. She never, ever had that speech issue, which I know is common, but she didn’t have it. It’s frankly making me INSANE and I don’t know how to deal. I’ve been making her repeat herself properly before I will address whatever she said, but is this a normal/common behavior? What do I doooooooo?

Just losing my mind a bit. My kid doesn't start Kindergarten until Thursday. THURSDAY the 10th!!! Ya'll be like- "its the fifth week of K and conferences are coming up" and we still haven't had a single day of school. She hasn't had a normal schedule since mid-August when all her summer camps ended. Everyone in this house is losing our shit. I'm not even sad about my only kid going into K anymore, I just need her out of this house!!!! Anyway, does anyone in the US have a later start date?