All-day early childhood programs are considered more beneficial than half-day programs. We are quite aware that sometimes there is a hesitancy to immerse first timers to a whole day program or it is a matter of convenience to expose preschoolers to half-day programs but we may need to give it a second thought.
Cryan, Sheehan, Wiechel, & Bandy-Hedden (1992) conducted a two phase study that examined the effects of half-day and all-day kindergarten programs on children's academic and behavioral success in school in the 1990s. In the first place, data were collected on 8,290 children from 27 school districts; the second phase included nearly 6,000 children. The researchers found that participation in all-day kindergarten was related positively to subsequent school performance. Children who attended all-day kindergarten scored higher on standardized tests, had fewer grade retention's, and had fewer Chapter 1 placements. Hough and Bryde (1996) looked at student achievement data for 511 children enrolled in half-day and all-day kindergarten programs in 25 classrooms. Children in the all-day programs scored higher on the achievement test than those in half-day programs on every item tested.
Cryan et al. (1992) asked teachers to rate both programs on 14 dimensions of classroom behaviors. According to the researcher a clear relationship emerged between the kindergarten schedule and children’s behavior. Children in all day programs were rated higher on 9 of the 14 dimensions. No significant differences exist on the other 5 dimension.
Teachers and parents whose children were enrolled in all-day programs believed that these programs adequately prepare children for first grade ( Hough & Bryde, 1996; Elicker & Mathur, 1997; Housden & Kam, 1992; Towers, 1991). Preference also exist for all day programs because they are more relaxed, more time is available for children to engage in creative activities and more opportunities for children to develop their passion (Elicker & Mathur, 1997).
Researchers also found that all-day kindergarten teachers utilized small group instruction more frequently than teachers employed in half-day programs. Hough & Bryde also found more individualized instruction in all-day programs when compared to half day programs.
This is vital information to parents who are considering enrolling their children into an early childhood program as well as parents who have already enrolled their children and may need to reconsider the benefits of the program in which their children are enrolled. It is also useful for all persons desirous of providing early childhood services. The research allows persons to assess the programs from the basis of research data and make the best option based on the data presented. It also allowed me to reflect on what existed in our country when our Government in its effort to ensure that as many children as possible attend secondary school utilized a half day shift system in the Junior Secondary Schools. The children who attended these schools were negatively labeled. They were associated with serious discipline problems and poor performance. After years of appeal by citizens for attention to be paid to these children successive governments have phased out that system so all children are now attending whole day schools.
Reference Clark, P. (2001). Recent Research on All-Day Kindergarten . Eric Digest
Evlyn,
ReplyDeleteMost parents think that a full day program is more beneficial to the children than half day.
Elicker and Mathur (1997) found that full-day kindergarten allowed children to be more actively engaged and more positive in their activities. Also, Parents and educators report that full-day kindergarten is less rushed with opportunities for extending learning experiences, flexibility to address individual students' needs and better communication between home and school. The full-day schedule allows more appropriate challenges for children at all developmental levels. For advanced students, there is time to complete increasingly challenging long-term projects. For children with developmental delays or those "at-risk" for school problems, there is more time for completion of projects and more time for teacher/student interaction.
Many educators still prefer half-day, everyday kindergarten. They argue that a half-day program can provide high quality educational and social experience for young children while orienting them adequately to school.
Specifically, half-day programs are viewed as providing continuity and systematic experience with less probability of stress than full-day programs. Proponents of the half-day approach believe that, given the 5 yearold's attention span, level of interest, and home ties, a half day offers ample time in school and allows more time for the young child to play and interact with adults and other children in less structured home or child care settings (Finkelstein 1983).
With all the benefits do you think most parents think about it? If parents have to choose a program I believe most families will choose the time according to their work schedule and not because of the benefits. Most parents are more concerned that their children are safe and are in a nurturing environment.
References
Benefits of full-day Kindergarten retrieved from http://www.doe.in.gov/primetime/fulldaykbenefits.html
Advantages of half-day program retrieved fron http://dpi.state.wi.us/ec/ecadhfpg.html
The benefits of full day kindergarten definitely out weighs the benefits of half day kindergarten. Full-day kindergarteners are able to spend more time in teacher-directed individual work and learning centers. Elicker and Mathur (1997) found that full-day kindergarten allowed children to be more actively engaged in more positive activities. While full day kindergarten is beneficial to the child is benefits the parents and teachers too. For parents it lessens the financial burden associated with half day kindergarten. While for teachers it gives more time to assess students and individualize instruction to their needs and interests.
ReplyDeleteWhile full day kindergarten can be a difficult adjustment and overwhelming at first for some children, the benefits you shared from the research are well worth it. By the time children go to kindergarten, they have already been exposed to some type of early education. Therefore, kindergarten needs to give them a larger amount of time focused on academics. I know in the public school all day kindergarten curriculum helps to prepare them for first grade and provided a foundation for learning that is priceless. This is great research to share with all educators, parents, and early childhood professionals, as it is rewarding and powerful data! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEvlyn,
ReplyDeleteI recently struggled with the decision of enrolling my son in a Pre-school program that is full day vs. Montessori school that offered ½ for his age group. Ultimately I decided to enroll him in the full day program. I felt that the preschool program met similar high quality standards and met the educational, social, and emotional needs that the Montessori school offered; and is what I desire to expose my child. I also felt this program would be a better choice for his preparation of Kindergarten which he will be attending full day in our local area.