Learn about the latest news in education and tips to help your kids thrive in elementary school. Delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Primary Focus was founded by Natalie Parmenter, a former kindergarten teacher to guide parents through elementary school. We provide information that is often common knowledge to teachers but is not widely known among parents. Primary Focus is dedicated to enlightening parents on all things elementary school so their children can thrive.
๐ด Do kids still NAP in kindergarten?
"We clean up and now it's time to learn"We're Going to be Friends by The White Stripes (such a cute song for new students) Hey Reader! ๐ Welcome to my 7 new subscribers! Have you told a friend about this newsletter yet? Tell them to sign up here. I've been doing a livestream on the Peanut App for a little over a month now. One question keeps popping up during my Q&A with a teacher... Do kids still nap in kindergarten? Sorry to say...no, no they don't. Kindergarten is much more rigorous than it was when we were kids. Once upon a time, kids went to half day kindergarten and it looked a lot more like preschool. Now kids are reading, writing, and expected to complete a lot independently. That's why I'm hosting my class this summer: Prepare your Child for Kindergarten This course is for parents with children starting kindergarten this fall or within the next 2 years. Over 5 sessions I'll show you how to prepare them academically and socially so they will soar in school! Find out more details here...class starts June 12. You can attend live or catch the replay. If you enroll let me know, I'll give you a free 1:1 call to use now or later! Things I Love (contains affiliate links)๐ recommending again! Two weeks ago I recommended the Dragon Masters series and so many of your wrote in saying your child is obsessed. If you've been looking for a series for your child to get lost in, this is it!โ ๐ง life hack! Last weekend I went to visit my grandparents. On the plane, I fell asleep with my air pods in, and when I woke up one had fallen out. ๐ฐ Luckily I always use this hand strap on the plane, so my air pod was hanging around my neck and not lost forever. You can set 6 for $6.99!โ ๐งน brilliant: When I was visiting my grandparents, I bought them a new vacuum. I found one that is lightweight (8 pounds!) and so easy to use. As I cleaned their house, I realized it was so simple...*cough* a child could do it. If you've got a kiddo ready for the next level of chores, this vacuum is under $60. โ If you have any questions about the Preparing for Kindergarten course, please respond to this email, I'm here to help. Have a great week friends! |
Primary Focus Newsletter
Learn about the latest news in education and tips to help your kids thrive in elementary school. Delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Primary Focus was founded by Natalie Parmenter, a former kindergarten teacher to guide parents through elementary school. We provide information that is often common knowledge to teachers but is not widely known among parents. Primary Focus is dedicated to enlightening parents on all things elementary school so their children can thrive.
"You were in it for realShe was in her phone" Opalite by OK Go Hey Reader, This newsletter is a response to last week's newsletter. Read it here What you're saying about tech in schools: In January Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd shared the results of his assessments on school data over the past 50 years to Congress. The results were astounding, suggesting that when a country's school system widely adapts technology, student test scores are impacted. Here's what some of you said in...
"Just when you think you're in control" Here it Goes Again by OK Go Hi Reader, We're doing a deep dive today. I'd love to hear your thoughts after reading this! We gotta talk about tech in schools: On January 15, 2026, congress held a hearing on the impact of screen time on kids. During the hearing Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd shared the results of his assessments on school data over the past 50 years. For hundreds of years, we've counted on each generation outperforming the last in...
"So no one told life was gonna be this way" I'll Be There For You by The Rembrandts Today is the Lunar New Year, one of the most important holidays celebrated in China, Vietnam, South/North Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Mongolia. In these countries, the world is shut down so families can celebrate together. Think Christmas or Thanksgiving. But for families living outside these countries, they have to go to work just like any other day. So if there's an...