Benefits of full day kindergarten vs. half day for children in the United States

Benefits of full day kindergarten vs. half day for children in the United States

It is natural for parents to want only the very best for their children, which is why more than half of the total of 3 million students in kindergarten are enrolled in full-day programs in the USA. The research has shown full-day kindergarten activities to be more efficient in imparting value education and essential skills than half the programs.
The findings of the study can be attributed to the simple fact that children who have been enrolled in a full day program to participate in many activities that involve reading, doing mathematics, participating in arts and crafts, and learning social studies.

Full-day versus half day – which one to choose?

An entire day developmental program offers a more relaxed atmosphere for the children so that they can take part in creative activities as well as build social skills along the way. A complete program leaves time for extracurricular activities like field trips, doing projects, playing games, and visiting the activity centers. Students who have had difficulty in the past due to delayed development, limited preschool experiences, or disabilities can have another chance in improving core areas that they might have missed out on learning in the past.

Students who attend a complete entire day curriculum have been observed to fulfill increased academic achievement and show more intuition for problem-solving. Even though there are people who chose half day programs over full-day because they feel it caters to the short attention span of children, numerous studies have shown that children can freely adapt to longer routines.

Advantages of full-day kindergarten

• Greater long-term achievement
• Greater achievement of children who have disabilities or have a low-income background
• Fewer grade retentions
• Higher scores in reading in the earlier grades
• More time spent in personalized instruction
• More time spent in casual play, less time in larger groups
• Greater social skills among children who are disadvantaged or belong to low-income families
• Higher independence and increased self-esteem
• Varied experiences in a calm and relaxing environment
• Teachers have more time to promote both formal and informal learning
• Children can focus better due to a lower portion of their daily education routine engaged in transitions to or from class
• Children who need special care and have low-income families tend to do well here

Statistics and trends

Statistics show that the percentage of children enrolled in full-day programs has more than doubled contrasted to children who are in half-day kindergarten since 1977. It has risen from 28% of all kindergartners in the year 1977 to 77% in 2013. A particularly steep increase was noticed between the years 1996 and 1998, and between the years 2002 and 2006. A study found that children enrolled in full-day programs earned higher scores on standardized math as well as reading tests through the second grade. A meta-analysis conducted recently also discovered that kindergartners in full-day programs were more likely to have greater attendance, improved self-confidence, and the ability to communicate and maintain social standards; on the downside, they also showed signs of a lack of positive attitude toward school.

Factors that influence the family’s decision

Some families considered a quality half day curriculum to be adequate for academic development and readiness for school while on the other hand, there are also families who are of the opinion that extra time spent in community settings of a full day program is beneficial for their children. Leaving personal preferences aside, it has been found that children who have had limited opportunities for learning, and social experiences might benefit from being enrolled in full-day kindergarten as it is the best opportunity to make up for lost time. There is absolutely no evidence at all that might suggest that the entire day programs might be harmful to the children.

Are half day programs any good at all?

As discussed earlier, half day programs also have their merits but it is clearly not as effective as a full day curriculum. So it can be said that children will benefit more if they learned in a relaxed environment throughout the day rather than trying to cram lessons in half the time, which might cause fatigue and leave children uninterested in further lessons

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