Kids Count Child Care Center

What are the long range effects of a full day kindergarten program?

School districts nation wide found out children benefit from a full day program. The primary resources were acquired by online databases ERIC and PsycInfo. Additionally, lead authors of full day kindergarten projects were contacted. Findings found academic achievement was significantly higher in standardized tests measuring skills in reading, spelling, and handwriting as well as tests measuring individual skills (eg. color, shape, numbers, letters, and quantities). The benefits of full day programs extend beyond the end of kindergarten, with evidence that full day students have academic achievement in 3rd and 8th grade in both reading and mathematics.

Former full day kindergarten students have higher participation rates during 6th-8th grade in after-school programs such as band, student council, and cheerleading.

Overall, the study found that full day kindergarten exhibits more independent learning, classroom involvement, productivity in work, and express less withdrawal, anger, shyness, and blaming behaviors than half-day kindergartners.