In the early 80’s I taught 1st grade in a Christian private school. The curriculum was very well laid out and for 1st grade it consisted of reading and math… that’s it. Other than a twice-a-week enrichment hour, which consisted of a visit to the music or art teacher, an hour for chapel each Friday, and two 30 minute outdoor recesses (morning and afternoon) each day, I barely had time to fit all the reading and math instruction in that the curriculum required.
There was no kindergarten in the school system in those days. But the private kindergartens that our students came from sent them to 1st grade knowing letters and their sounds, basic numbers and counting and how to write all the letters and numbers. I’m sure they had no time in their busy day either for all the B.S. children are taught today.
At that age they should not be burdened with the problems, hatred, and sexual deviance in the world (there will be time to learn of that later when they can better understand it).
Instead their fragile little minds should be filled all day with happy thoughts about good clean family fun, adventure that sparks the desire to learn and create, play that teaches unselfish interaction with others, encouragement that makes them know they are loved and worthy, and lots and lots of laughter.
I hated to go there and often snug out of the gate and went home.