Should nap-time be allowed or disallowed in all day Kindergarten?

Question

My daughter is six years old and almost every day after school she has an outburst because she's tired. I've discussed this with her teacher before. Today I spoke with her teacher and the assistant vice principle and their answer is this: there isn't enough time in the day for nap-time or rest-time.

I'm looking for real answers to the question. Should nap-time be allowed or disallowed in all day Kindergarten classes?

If you know of any research that is freely accessible online, that would help a lot!

Answer 1

I teach reception (5year olds) in Australia. The children are at school 5 days a week, from 8:45 - 3:15. I give the children a 20 minute rest time after lunch each day. They can bring in a favourite cushion and rest, or just do some quiet colouring in at their desks. They rarely fall asleep, but if they do, I leave them to sleep unless the parent requests otherwise so that they will sleep at night. I find that a rest increases their productivity for the afternoon.

Answer 2

At the schopl my girls go to, the kids take a 20 minute rest break after their lunch recess. The teachers have the opinion that if they fall asleep in that 20 minutes, it's because they need it, and if they don't, that's fine too!

Answer 3

Allowed!

Doesn't this happen everywhere?

If not then why not?

Answer 4

That's interesting to me because my school system is starting all-day kindergarten next year and the issue has come up.  Personally, I'd rather have half-day kindergarten and have my children come home for some downtime (and active time, and unstructured learning).  However, I'm not sure I really support "nap time" at school in that most 5- and 6-year-olds no longer nap, and even those who do probably wouldn't be able to in a school environment.  I think all day kindergarten should include a fair amount of unstructured time (at recess and indoors), and maybe it's ideal if some of that unstructured time is quiet time (for reading, doing puzzles, or catching a quick rest on a beanbag chair).

It's really sad that you've been told there isn't enough time in the day for rest time, though.  God forbid the little guys aren't studying all day for their standardized tests starting in kindergarten....

If half-day kindergarten is an option for you, that might work out better for your daughter?

Answer 5

Of course they should have nap time! My son had half day kinder and at daycare they made the kids take a nap afterwards. They still need the rest.

Answer 6

Definitely allowed, no nap time at 5-6 years old and hours on end of school and activities will make them very tired and possibly grumpy.

Answer 7

While *some* people benefit from a nap..most 6 year olds don't need a nap.  Maybe she needs more sleep at night?  Maybe take a look at her diet?  When my kids were in Kindergarten at 5 year old..they were loaded with energy at the end of the school day.

Answer 8

I ran across the same thing with my youngest.  By the time she started kindergarten, they outdid that.

Sometimes I do find dispite this, teachers let the children "rest their heads" on the table during quite time.  They aren't supposed to "close their eyes" but some do....I've seen this a few times when I visted my daughter.  

So her teacher may do the same, but can't out right call it a nap.  So make sure there is no miscommunication and ask her teacher if they have a quite time and what they do during this time.  She may give it, but being in school....kids get distracted by other kids and don't take advantage of this.

I do agree.  There should be designated nap time for those children who disires it.  Taking it up with the local school board and/or department of education for your state is  the route to go.  I'm sure you can find e-mail address of people/agencies to write to.  Chances are though, they will say the kids have too much to learn and they can't do nap time anymore.

What is really wrong, I think there is too much pressure to have the kids learn so much these days.  My second grader is starting on multiplcation now!  It's crazy.  And the state exams that the kids take and the pressure for the teachers to have their kids "make the grade"....I find this isn't right.  The teachers are under so much  pressure!  Because of these test/school grading, recess has been taken out of the curriculium.  You know, some kids who don't get theire time out to play, can make them throw fits.  The stress of school work all day.  Adults at work have better break times than kids do at school.    Kids come home with excess homework and no time to go outside.  Especially when there is a single parent/both parents working.  School, then daycare, then finally home.  Kids do need breaks.  My theory is because of all of what the state/countes puch onto  our kids/teachers/schools, kids are found to have more emotional problems than there once was.  Kids are found to have "inattentive problems" because they don't have the focus to keep up with the constant lessons.  Some kids really do have attention disorders, but my oppionuon most don't,  too much is pushed onto kids these days and it's not natural for kids to have to do this all day long.  Sure we all want our kids to be super smart, but to what expense.   With kids having so much pushed onto kids these days, have anyone done a study to corrolate the timeline of the push of these state education test and the rise of childhood obesity?  So much is heard on the news about the "fast food epidemic" and "t.v" but none of what I mentioned above. The stress alone can make kids gain weight as well as the lack of oppertunity for any type of physcial activity at school and home.  Christmas/spring/summer vactions have even been reduced in many areas.

Well in the mean time, your child will/may not have the oppertunity for nap time.   (my kids if they take a daytime nap, they won't go to sleep at the approiate time at night, therefore off setting the next day and they don't have the much needed energy they need for school and they will get crankey).  You may want to try to ommiting daytime napping and increasing the amount of hours in her evening sleep.

Also, espcially if your daughter is having a lot of crankiness in school, and because of this....they suggest to hold her back a year because she is not "mature", know that kindergarten in most states/areas is not a requirement for first grade.  So by chance if they suggest this, and you feel that your daughter can make it acacemically in the first grade, move on.  A lot of studies out there about "grade retention" and it's negitives effects on children.  How can a child mature when she/he is surrounded by younger children.

Well,

I probably said more that what your question ask for.

But that subject is one of my passions.

Answer 9

They don't have it in our school district but the kids go home at 2:30 which is plenty of time for a late afternoon nap or quiet rest with a book.

My son never wanted either.  He mostly needed to run off some energy when he got home.  At this age there is a wide disperity in what each child needs.  But to prepare your child for school these days takes a full day.  Most teachers are smart enough to balance the level of activity each day with time to blow off steam and quiet time when reading a book with the lights off in the room gives kids a break.

Answer 10

What state do you live in? I live in GA and my kindergartner has nap/rest time everyday. I think every kindergarten school should have it. They are still young and need to re-fuel in the middle of the day. Try talking to the board of education about your complaint. They MIGHT help.

Answer 11

it  should be allowed. simple as that

Answer 12

i am still a firm believer that kindergarten should be only half day like it was when i was a child. i think a 6 or 7 hour school day is to much for a 6 year old child. as parents we cant hold there attention at home that long but yet there suppose to go and be with a whole group of other 6 year olds, listen to the teacher and absorb what the teacher is trying to teach. its just to much mentally for a young child.

Answer 13

I personally think they should allow this. When i was younger, my age didn't have nap-time. As i got older i was a little angry about that, because i wanted nap-time during school.

It also depends on the other students at the pre-school as well. If they are having outbursts during class then maybe the school should consider it.

Answer 14

Good question....I am moving to a new state soon and don't know if they have naptime there (my daughter starts kindergarten this coming year)...while she doesn't take naps right now at home I don't know how she will be with all the excitement and learning new things at school...some kids just get overstimulated and NEED a nap while other kids are fine. I think a 15-20 minutes "rest time" for a quick nap or quiet time after lunch would be a great idea.

Answer 15

wow in canada theres only 3 hours but wow thats like 6 hours of running around with you friends i think there should be a nap time

Answer 16

i know usually kindergarten is only half day from 8-12  but if its a full day from 8-3 or 4 then i think nap time is defintely needed. my son is so grumpy w/o nap... he usually goes to bed really early if he doesn't nap during the day, by 6:30 or 7pm normal bed time 8pm

Answer 17

I work in a preschool, public school and Yes they do need time to regroup after all the work they do. I would check out your states Board of Education and see what the criteria requires to have down time for these children. Also check out National opinions from the education association for your state.