Are parents now a days going over board trying to get their kids into the best

[tantricia44]

kindergarten school. I just saw in the news that parents are getting tutors for their 3 year old in order to get them into this kindergarten school that is has posted for aprox. 500 students. Tutors use 2nd & 3rd grade materials to help the toddler get a head of other children his/her age. I don't know but isn't this  a little crazy? The kid will be 50 in a 6 yr old body the time he/she enter kindergarten. Is this normal? If you have kids have you done this method to get your kid a head of the rest? Is this legal?  :dontknow:javascript:void(0);

[footemama]

I would say that it is slightly overboard. Then again I think that "Your Baby Can Read" is a little overboard as well. Parents these days are too concerned about having their children "get ahead" that they are not giving them time to be children AND it has never really been proven that this is actually a benefit for these children. They have found that the HeadStart program is only a benefit because the children are getting things (like being read to) that they are not getting at home. Chances are if the parents are hiring tutors for their 3-year-old they are already doing things like reading to them and practicing letters and numbers.

But as a parent in a not great school district I also want my child to be in a magnet school or a private school so I can definitely see where the draw would be to make sure that they stand out academically so that they are accepted. However, not at the price of my almost 3 year old not being able to be little still. He will have enough time for school without starting so early. He wants to go to school already and I'm going to (and already do to some extent) stress how important education is and work with him if he has trouble with anything.....hopefully that will be enough without having to go to extremes.

[animikokala]

It's up to each parents' discretion, really.  But the United States has been lagging behind many other nations in terms of education.  Perhaps the US should take a good look at the other nations' education systems.  I'm not sure starting so early for heavier topics is a good idea, although teaching languages during that age works well.  Young children have a much easier time learning new languages than older children or adults.  And the earlier you teach your child to read, the better off your child will be.  Reading is an excellent recreational activity to encourage at a young age, so long as you make sure the child(ren) are physically active as well.  Physical activity increase the cognitive ability of the brain.

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_sci_lit-education-scientific-literacy
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_rea_lit-education-reading-literacy
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/edu_mat_lit-education-mathematical-literacy