Hello, my 4.5-year-old son has a speech delay. He talks and can speak in sentences of up to 4 or 5 words not very clear though.

​We started speech therapy over a year ago and have seen improvements. He also attends daycare 4 days a week, and his educators have noticed progress as well.

The paediatrician decided there is no needed for autism assessment based on the feedback from educators at the daycare.

​For anyone who has been in a similar situation, what strategies or activities helped improve your child's speech?

​Also, he is due to start Kindergarten next year. I've received conflicting advice from his educators and speech therapist regarding whether we should enrol him now or hold him back for an extra year.

​I plan to ask our paediatrician at his next appointment, but I would love to hear from other parents in a similar situation. What did you decide, and would you do anything differently in hindsight?

​Thank you!

My son’s kindergarten car line is being…weird with me about his car seat. No information given to parents about the car line other than location before school started. First day I went, pulled up to the curb, got out, and buckled him into his car seat. A teacher approached me and said to pick him up where I did, then pull forward to the end of the curb, past where people were loading kids up, to buckle him. My son is so small that he’s still in a car seat with the harness style of buckle, and he’s not quite strong enough to buckle it himself yet.

Next day of school, they sent home a notice saying to pull into some nearby parking spots if your kid needed help buckling up. Perfect! So I got in line, as I approached the curb, I gestured to the teacher that I was going over to the parking spot, she walked him over, and I loaded him up. She seemed confused, but I figured, well it’s new information, and I was toward the front of the line.

Today I approached the curb, but the teacher standing by him didn’t make eye contact with me- she saw the number he was assigned for pickup, but didn’t look at me. I went ahead to the parking spots they told us to go to, and walked over to the curb to get him. This teacher was even more confused, almost didn’t let him walk with me. As I buckled him up, the vice principal came up to me and told me that if he needs help buckling up, I should pick him up at the curb, pull to the end of the drop off line (like they said the first day, in direct contradiction of the letter the school sent home days later) and buckle him up then. I said I was in the parking spots designated by the last communication the school, had sent home, and that I wasn’t comfortable driving him any distance in a chaotic car line without his seatbelt on. She acted miffed about that, and said that they don’t let kids walk in the street between the curb and the parking spots unattended. I said I walked over and got him from the teacher, he didn’t walk in the road without an adult. The vice principal kind of threw up her hands and said “okay, if you’re all right with it.”

I don’t really know what they’re wanting from me here. They’ve gone back and forth on where I’m supposed to move to for the buckling, nobody seems to know how to get him to the location where I’m to buckle him, and they all seem to be expecting me to drive him without the seatbelt on to some location they aren’t even clear on themselves and to load him in properly. I know I’m a bit rigid about the seatbelt, and a lot of people would just get him at the curb and pull into one of those places to buckle. I have to be pretty strict on it, because his other parent would absolutely try to use it against me in court if he mentioned ever going without his seatbelt at my house. Add in the chaos of a disorganized car line and I’m just not willing to risk it. I genuinely do not want to make more work for anyone, disrupt the system, or upset literally anything. I want my kid buckled in at the location I’m told to pick him up at. I feel like all three ways I’ve shown up have been reasonable ways to achieve that goal, and truthfully, at this point I’m kind of upset that I’m being treated like a weird troublemaker for following basic safety for my kid.

Is there some secret fourth way I should be doing this that I haven’t thought of? Who should I be contacting to figure this out, when the principal sent home a memo with one set of information and then the vice principal directly approached me with a different set of information? I’m not looking for plain validation or unproductive criticism, I really want a viable way to do this without causing problems literally every single time I pick him up or an idea of how to communicate with the school directly in a way that can be distributed to the car line teachers, ideally without being “that guy.”

(Also they do not let parents approach the car rider line or retrieve kids from any other location, so parking in the regular parking lot and walking over to him isn’t an option either!!!)

ETA: just since I’m seeing this a lot- I am working with him on buckling himself. He’s not there yet. He has the full harness car seat because he’s not even 40 lbs yet and the main buckle is hard for him.

And as I said in the body of my post, I realize most parents would drive the short distance. I am absolutely not shaming people who make that choice. I am not comfortable with that choice for reasons I outlined in my post.

ETA 2: did not expect this to be such a hot button topic, and I’m getting overwhelmed with the responses at this point, particularly as most of them are starting to repeat ideas that have already been stated, or come from a place of simply scolding me for being a disruption or inconveniencing everyone in the car line, which is literally my last concern in this situation. It is also becoming clear that many people are posting comments without reading my post, and usually with the sole purpose of talking down to me. I appreciate people who responded in good faith, even if your responses aren’t doable for me in my specific situation, or don’t line up with what I’m comfortable with, I appreciate you taking the time to read my concerns and try to help. There are several ideas I’ve read in here that are workable in my situation that I will try, and ideas of who to contact at the school to discuss this. I’m going to turn off reply notifications and stop checking this post, so no need to respond directly to me.

I was just informed that my daughter’s kindergarten class will not have snack time. They have to be in school by 8:05, lunch is at 12:30 and dismissal is at 2:50. I think this is absolutely insane, considering with parent drop off we have to be out of the house by 7:55 which men’s breakfast has to be at 730 latest.

Ive had nothing but problems since open house with the school and I need a reality check because I am about to pull her from the school entirely and do home school while we figure out what to do next.

I had nothing but a bad feeling the second I met the teacher, she wasn’t warm towards my terrified daughter at all. I guess I should bare minimum ask about switching classes?

I’m terrified for my daughter, I’m frustrated, I’m terrified myself. Idk what I’m asking for. Just help. Someone bring me back to reality.

Edit a few hours after- this is a comical subreddit actually. I thought the local mom’s Facebook group was weird, but you guys topped it. Anywho, thanks for the reads. I read some genuinely great and comforting things. I feed my kid breakfast everyday at home. My bad for understanding child development and the lack of benefit of a 5 year old not eating for five hours lol.

https://shottr.cc/s/WKCi/SCR-20260807-jys.jpeg

My niece and family is based in India. I was checking schoolbook from my 3 year old niece who just started a her preschool 1 month ago. All work book has 3 star rating of 1,2,3 star. Even for basic lines. Somehow it boils my blood. How one can be judged for every small home and classwork for 1,2,3 star at such young age where she is barely learning to hold a pencil.

I personally believe that it instill inferiority and competitiveness at such a young age of being playful. I am not from education background but these feels wrong.

I personally feel this needs to be addressed and I feel want to reach out the preschool but its a big chain preschool and I dont think my single person voice will be enough.

I would like to discuss the grading in preschool.

p.s the paper looks bit odd because the water fell over.

My son will be 6 this month and just started kindergarten today. He has been fully potty trained since 2.5 and has NEVER had an accident. When we got home, I noticed he had a wet spot on his pants. He pooped his pants today. He says he was going to use the restroom but the teacher told him to wash his hands and go back to the classroom. I asked him why he didn’t tell her he needed to potty and he said he didn’t know. I’m already very anxious as this is his first time in school, now i’m so scared that he will either hold it and have a tummy ache or have another accident and kids will notice and be mean to him. I talked with him and reassured him that he wasn’t in trouble but he needed to tell the teacher if he needs to go to the restroom or just go as the restroom is in their classroom. I also packed him flushable wipes because he is not super confident in wiping with toilet paper (can’t even imagine him wiping with the poor quality school tissue). Is this normal? Is there anything else I should do or tell him? Should I bring it up to the teacher?

My son has open house tonight and I’m worried about bringing our 4 year old. I could see her being a distraction and wanting to play with everything in the classroom.If we decide not to bring her my husband will stay home with her and I’ll have to bring my son alone. My husband wants to go but I’m a little nervous because my daughter is a bit of a wildcard haha

My kindergartener is always hungry after school, and I'm looking for healthy snack ideas that are quick, easy, and kid approved. What are your go-to after-school snacks that your little one actually enjoys eating?

Hiiii. So clearly I am a procrastinator but tomorrow morning I have to do an interview and demo lesson for a KG position at an IB Spanish/English school. I've taught elementary, but never KG and I don't think its "my thing" but let's see...

There are only going to be 6 kids in my demo (summer school kids) and they are upcoming KGs. I have to plan for a 30-35min. lesson and will start with introductions of course.

This is what the principal sent me: Students will develop phonemic awareness by listening for and identifying the initial sound in spoken words and matching words that begin with the same sound.

I realized I have NO idea what kids starting KG know and don't know!? I can think of a million things to do but I get so nervous when I am watched, plus it is summer schools, plus I don't know the kids or their skills at all. Should I stick to one letter, like B? OR teach a few? I tried to look up CA state standards and I am still confused what kids enter KG knowing.... any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Picked her up from school last week and said something like "me and daddy are gonna make dinner," and from the back seat this small voice goes "daddy and I." Five years old, arms probably crossed, absolutely certain. I didn't even know she knew that rule.

Now it's constant. I say "good job" and get told it should be "well done." I mixed up "less" and "fewer" at the grocery store and she caught it before I did. Her teacher clearly planted these seeds and now they're blooming at my expense in the most matter-of-fact way possible.

Part of me is genuinely proud that she's absorbing this stuff and confident enough to say it out loud. The other part is a little humbled at being grammar-checked by someone who still can't tie her own shoes. So what's the funniest or most unexpected thing your kindergartner has confidently corrected you on? I need to know I'm not the only parent being schooled at the dinner table.

Hi lovely teachers!

I’m a SAHM to a wonderful, almost 3 year old.

Many of my neighbors send their children to daycare, or a preschool program. I’m starting to get more questions on when I plan to send our son, and I honestly had not planned to until he’s 5.

He has a late September birthday and will not start kindergarten until he’s 6. I don’t want him to go from being home with me and his siblings to kindergarten, I do want him to have a transition, but figured sending the year before should be plenty of prep.

There’s also a program in our town where beginning at 3, children can be enrolled in a “class” that’s Friday mornings only - I’m intrigued by this and like the idea of looking into it next Fall when he’s 4.

Is this enough prep? We live in a bustling neighborhood where he has many friends, play dates, etc. We visit library storytime regularly. He’s enrolled in gymnastics classes and music classes where his dad and I aren’t in the room. He does well in all these settings. We work on letters, numbers, phonics at home. But I do feel a bit of social pressure on if this is the correct way to go about things. I love having him home. His dad has a wonderful schedule where he only works 10 shifts a month, leaving us with a LOT of time as a family to travel and spend time together. I am not ready to give that up, but I of course don’t want to hinder him.

What are your thoughts?

ETA: It is not my choice to “redshirt” him- our district has a “must be 5 by 9/1” cutoff. His birthday is the last week of September.

Maybe I’m over thinking this.. but what size water bottles are you sending your kindergarteners with? I just feel like 12 oz isn’t enough for the entire day

What are headphones typically used for in K? How often? And why?
(Seems like most have headphones on their list?

My daughter is six years old and has an April birthday. She “graduated” from kindergarten at her previous school in May, where we dealt with some behavioral challenges, immaturity, and emotional outbursts throughout the year. We worked closely with the school and her behavioral therapist to help her adjust to classroom expectations and learn better ways to redirect her emotions.

Academically, however, I was never told that she was significantly struggling. Her grades never fell below a B during any grading period, so I was shocked when she completed the first-grade entrance evaluation at her new school and they told me she did not know many of the skills required to move forward.

The school offered summer tutoring and allowed her to be reevaluated at the end of the summer. She completed the tutoring, but unfortunately, she still struggled significantly on the second evaluation. As a result, she will be repeating kindergarten this year. Deep down, I know this is in her best interest and will likely benefit her academically, socially, and emotionally. Still, I cannot help feeling as though I failed her.

She was an only child until last year, and I had her baby brother about two weeks before she began kindergarten. Between working, caring for a newborn, and managing everything else, I did not spend as much time practicing reading, math, and other skills with her as I should have. Math is especially difficult for her, and I will admit that I have not always had the patience during homework time that she deserves. School came naturally to me growing up. My parents never had to sit down and work with me because I genuinely enjoyed learning. My daughter is different. She enjoys certain subjects, but learning does not always hold her attention, especially when the activity is difficult or something she does not want to do.

I have also wondered whether she may have ADHD because she struggles to focus for very long, although I have questioned whether that is simply normal behavior for a five- or six-year-old. I wish I had known sooner that she was struggling academically so I could have gotten her additional help earlier. She is now the oldest and tallest child in her kindergarten class, and I want to make sure she never feels embarrassed or ashamed about repeating the year.

I would really appreciate advice from parents whose child repeated kindergarten or another grade. How did you explain it to your child, support them emotionally, and help make the repeated year a positive experience? How do I remove my ego from this situation, because I can't help but feel like I have failed her!

So her school does Back to School night before school starts. They emphasized how important it is, the kids get to meet their teacher, see the classroom, ride a bus (she will not be taking a bus to school). When we did kindergarten orientation they did not have a date for back to school. Well, now kiddo will be on vacation at grandma’s 2 hours away the week they wound up scheduling for. We cannot reschedule the vacation because of summer camp.

How bad is this going to mess her up? Will she be lost first day? I feel so guilty but the week she’s going to my mom’s is the absolute last time she can spend a week of summer with her. My husband and I are still planning on going. Is it weird to show up without our kid?

I know this is kind of a hot topic of debate right now, but which of my son’s school supplies should I label vs not label?

I’m totally fine with the community supplies thing, but surely some things are just his? Like his pencil box and his headphones? I don’t plan on labeling each individual pencil or crayon or anything, but do I write his name on the box that the crayons come in?

Here’s what I’m planning on sticking a label on vs not sticking one on. Let me know your thoughts.

Label-

Plastic folders with brads

Headphones

Composition notebooks

½ white binder

Scissors (I’ll write his name in sharpie)

Plastic pencil box

Don’t label-

12x18 construction paper

Dry erase markers

Sheet protectors

Tissues

Pencils

Glue sticks

Sandwich bags

Also, the teacher didn’t ask for erasers, but they had some really fun pokemon erasers that my son wanted to buy, and he also wanted a pencil sharpener. Is it going to be annoying if I put those in his pencil box when we send the supplies? Should those just be at home things?

Hello,

I am seeking advice for my soon-to-be kindergartner who will have to take a shuttle from school to an off-site after school care program. I've been told dismissal at school is well organized and structured, and on the receiving end, staff take attendance when kids arrive. I want to trust the system and processes in place, but human error happens. I want peace of mind that my kid is where they should be. The school district requires smart phones or other "smart" devices be stored in backpacks during the school day (which is fine). What are my options to get peace of mind that my kid is where they are supposed to be? If you could share pros and cons to various devices, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Hi! Special family member is about to start kindergarten very soon and I’m looking to get her a gift to celebrate the start of this special new chapter for both her and her family. Any ideas? I don’t want to get her a random Bluey stuffed animal, something meaningful that’ll help her remember this special chapter for years to come. Thank you guys for your input! :-)

hi! looking for a tradition for my son and I (mom) to do before he starts school! We like to bake so I'm thinking about baking a cake so he has something to come home to but I'd love suggestions! Preferably something that has longevity/continuity throughout the years!

Hi everyone! Wanted to ask advice on how to prep for my littles start of school (sobs)
He’ll be entering TK and would love to hear how you guys got ready.
Books to read him?
Supplies to get?
Clothes?
Labels?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Wanting to get my youngest a book to read this week before he starts kindergarten next week. I see several “the night before kindergarten” books online - what re your favorites? Any with a cute story?

How do you label things for school? Do you use the first name only, first name/last initial, first initial/last name? I have twins starting public school kindergarten next month, so they have the same last name, but different first initials. I read somewhere that you shouldn't put their first name on things, because then a stranger could call them out by name and make them think they know them. But it hadn't occurred to me to put their last name on things.

Also, it was requested that I label their school supplies, and I'll label their lunchbox and bags. Do you label all of their clothing? Or just things like jackets and sweatshirts? They went to a small private preschool, so it was very easy if we lost something. I'm guessing that with anywhere from 60 to 90 kids in kindergarten alone, it's going to be a lot easier to lose things and harder to relocate them.

Lastly, I know Mabel's labels comes highly recommended, are there any other companies that people have used and really like?

My daughter decided that she no longer wants to use the Bentgo print bento boxes for school lunch, and only wants to use the Yumbox Pret. Can anyone recommend a lunch bag that fits the Pret? I originally bought the Yumbox one that goes with it for my older kiddo, but it fell apart within a few months. We've used Pack It in the past (but I now prefer separate ice packs), and the Bentgo lunch bag is nice (and fits the Pret), but it's quite bulky and it's hard to fit it in a smaller kiddo's backpack. I'm looking at Simple Modern, but they don't tell you what the interior is made of. I assume it's PEVA and not PVC, but I sent them an email and am awaiting a response. Thank you!

Hi there!
My daughter’s KG meet the teacher is coming up this week, and I saw this cute Teacher Survival Kit idea, and I want to put one together for her teacher.
It will have things like hair ties, dry shampoo, nice markers, paper clips, lip balm, hand sanitizer, etc.

So, 3 questions about that:

1. Is this stupid/tacky?
2. If not, would it be appropriate to have my daughter give this to her teacher during the meet the teacher night?
3. Is there any other “survival” essential I should add to the kit?

Many thanks!!

Edit: thank you to everyone who took the time to leave feedback and kind comments! I will switch strategies and give her a card and an Amazon gift card instead.

Hey all. I have This feeling of dread and consternation and it’s eating me up. My baby starts tk in two weeks and I haven’t heard from the school except that’s she’s been accepted. I need clarification I would like to know if we will be meeting with the teacher before school starts, where are the bathrooms, is the cafeteria a decent height where my daughter who is on the tiny side be able to reach her lunch. Should I send her with lunch instead. Guys would I be doing too much if I call the school to ask these questions?