My Own 5yo...LONG, Sorry

[MamaBearCanada]

I'd say kindergarten is not ready for 5-year-old boys. What you describe makes me so sad. I'd keep him home for sure, but not because he isn't ready; rather, because it's not a good environment for young children.

I'd go further and say that the kindergarten program there isn't developmentally appropriate for any 5 years olds. If it was me I would talk to the teacher about my concerns perhaps taking in academic articles about what 5 year old should be doing and a focus on play asked learning. If that didn't help I'd go to the VP/Principal. My next step would be to call a PTA meeting (Parent Teacher or School Association) with other parents to voice concerns. I would talk to district superintendant and write/talk my way up the education chain. During this time I would pick the homework I felt was most necessary and do 10-20mins worth as well as bedtime reading. I would write a note to excuse the rest. Homework is meant to be a reinforcement of what they are learning at school. (I have my BA and BEd and taught in the school system before I had my children.)

Your son sounds more than ready for Kindergarten. The problem is they are not offering an appropriate Kindergarten program.

[AcornMama]

to all those who think she needs to pull her child out, well your wrong. When do you cut the apron strings, when do you stop putting your kid in a bubble because they don't like something. We always talk about parents doing this and critizizing them, well this is the same situation. Somehow you are going to need to figure out how to make it work.

Wow, you're certainly entitled to share your opinion. OP was asking for ideas, and you are as welcome to share yours as everyone else. But I'm also welcome to say no, you're wrong, countrymom.

The suggestion that one option to pull her child from a program that doesn't meet his needs is a valid suggestion. It may not be the one that OP chooses, but it's still a valid suggestion.

Since you are likening this to a daycare situation, I think the opposite is true. It sounds like providers here also routinely say, "My program isn't the best fit for your child." Why can't that apply to OP's situation.

And regarding...

Somehow you are going to need to figure out how to make it work.

No, no parent ever has to just take what they are given and make it work. This is her child. She's in charge. If she chooses to make it work because that's her best option, then that's the right decision for her. But no parent should have to raise their children based on a "this is what the government gives you and what pretty much everyone does so you just have to make it work" basis. There are way too many educational choices and approaches out there for this to be the best approach.