Rethinking Kindergarten In today's society we argue about what should be taught. Kindergarten is the first time some children are away from their parents. This is the time when we should focus on the transition between home and school. But that's not what's happening today: Kindergarten classrooms focus more on reading and math skills. They are working to test the capabilities. Kindergarten is what first grade used to be. It reflects beliefs about how children learn. People think that less formal kindergarten activities, such as free play, are a waste of time and valuable teaching time that could help the student achieve. Children can play at home. They think children should spend twenty to thirty minutes a day preparing for tests. We expect kindergartners to learn to read, not to tie their shoes. “These adaptations represent many strengths, and their effects have been enhanced in the No Child Left Behind environment.” (Graue) More and more children are attending preschool today, but teachers believe their students are not prepared for the more intense structure of kindergarten. The preschool facility should be designed to teach five- and six-year-olds. They are eager learners, and the program should harness this enthusiasm to help them learn. The focus should be on kindergartners and not on what they should know in first grade. We should also focus on more gaming. When used thoughtfully, it is one of the most valuable learning contexts available. The game could be used to teach children many life concepts. We focus too much on what children should learn and not what they are. I think we push kids as hard as they can. This article highlights how we have made kindergarten more like first grade. We are more focused on testing kids and what they should learn. The game is despised. The corner that was once dedicated to cleaning is now transformed into a writing corner. I think school needs to be structured, there should be time to play every day. If anything, children's play should be greater than or at least equal to the calculations and reading they do every day. Children should start studying in kindergarten, but it should be done in a modern way. They shouldn't be learning test prep. Children are eager to learn by the time they arrive at kindergarten and we should certainly take advantage of this.