Kindergarten

Midterms in kindergarten! Come on people! I am all for structured education, but this is pushing it a bit too far.

My son recently came home from school with a note proclaiming that this week all kindergarteners are having a math and vocabulary midterm. The idea actually made me laugh out loud. Kindergarteners should not even be familiar with that word until they are at least age 7 or 8. I love my son's school and I do believe that for the most part it's doing a good job. However, it is sad that the school needs to put so much pressure on these small children in order for the city to shell out more money for the school.

Kindergarten is not the way it used to be—that's for sure. We used to eat, play, eat, sleep, play some more and then go home. Now, as soon as the kids walk into school they must be ready to work. Schlepping from science, music, library and gym, the students must also slip in some math, reading and spelling. My son is doing well and really doesn't mind the work. But he is wiped out when he gets home…only to have to summon up more energy for homework. If it is like this in kindergarten, what should I expect in a year or two? I want my child to get the best education he deserves. I just hope he can handle the pressure and that he continues to enjoy learning.