Full Day Kindergarten

Attending kindergarten is mandatory in most states, but not all require a full-day kindergarten program because of economic cost. However, during recent years there has been in increase in popularity for full-day kindergarten. Currently there are half-day and full-day kindergarten programs, but they vary by state and sometimes each districts in the state. A half-day program means students attend three hour classes in either in the morning or the afternoon. Full-day program is when students attend the full six hour classes just like the rest of the grade levels. Maryland is one of the ten states that require full-day kindergarten in each school district, but Virginia still struggles with the decision whether or not to implement a full-day kindergarten
Through various studies researchers have found that students enrolled in full-day kindergarten learn more, have higher reading and math scores and are better prepared for later academic success. Research was done by observing children in full-day classes and also by interviewing teachers and parents. “This metaanalysis found that, overall, students who attend full-day kindergarten manifested significantly greater achievement than half-day attendees.” (Fusaro) Having full-day kindergarten has many benefits. Students who attend full-day kindergarten are better prepared for first grade. They get to spend more time in educational activities. Teachers who teach full-day kindergarten also say that they get to spend more time with each child individually. They also claim they are less stressed about time constraints; they have more time and better opportunity to get to know each student and to meet their needs. Having full-day kindergarten also helps students have a more relaxed and less hurried day at school. Researchers have found that children have higher reading scores, have progressed in social skills and have had higher self esteem and independence. Some parents are concerned that their child is not ready for full-day kindergarten, but studies have shown that students gain cognitive, developmental, and social skills compared to children in half-day kindergarten Students in full-day kindergarten have also made significant progress in language proficiency than children in half-day programs.. Having half-day kindergarten is also highly inconvenient for working parents, because they are forced to either drop their kids or pick them up to and from school in the middle of the day. It is more convenient when parents can work throughout the day without having to worry about picking for dropping their child to