Try to remember that much of their day will be spent in educational centers. There will be plenty of time they feel like they are playing. It won't be all paper and pencil all day! However, yes, education has changed. Teachers aren't happy with all of it either. I've taught grades 2 - 5. I'm currently teaching 3rd and have my administrative certification. My 3rd graders are expected to be able to compose a full page essay, read 100 or so page chapter books in a timely manner, and answer math problems like this: "Jan goes to the mall. She bought a pair of shoes for $20, 3 pair of socks for $2 each, pants for $8, and 4 shirts for $10 each. She also buys lunch for $9. When she leaves the mall she has $4 in her purse. How much money did she begin with?" So...you're baby is 5....this is what the expectation will be 3 years from now by our country. It isn't a local or state issue. Sad, but true.
And I have kids who are living in RV's at a roadside park, kids whose parents are having dope parties so all the kids are forced to sleep outside on the trampoline in 40 degree weather, kids who, at 8, have to go home and feed and care for younger siblings because single mom has 3 jobs and won't be home till midnight, and kids whose parents think they don't need to earn good grades because they made D's in school and hey, working at the local food mart is ok.
It's a vicious cycle that isn't getting any better any time soon.
