Headed in two different directions

For a few months now Jessica's teacher has told me that we need to work with her on her "sounds". Wasn't sure if this meant animal sounds or what. Her teacher was referring to the alphabet and phonics....you know, the sounds that letters make. In September all the kids at school will be moved up to appropriate classes according to their ages and ability. I just found out that there is a "smart" class for those kids turning 3. This "smart" class will be for those children who can recognize numbers out of order, know all their colors, shapes and all the sounds. So my thoughts are, "hmmmmm so there's a "smart" class? And I've got till September to help with her sounds. Better get cracken!
Flashcards are Jessica's new best friends. Quick Jess, what does this letter say? She's not doing too bad and we still have plenty of time.
Jessica has a few boyfriends who will be starting Kindergarten this year. Kindergarten is not like when we went to school. No more sitting in the corner eatting glue while wiggling your loose tooth in hopes of having something for the Tooth Fairy at night. Oh no. These kids are expect to know how to write their names and addresses, count, speak well and be close to reading. Three new schools in my area are trying something new this fall. If your child is behind you can now send them to Kindergarten till 2 instead of noon. They're finding out that kids with no preschool and those that English is their second language are holding back the whole class. It seems like across the nation school districts are expecting more out of the children.
Here's what I find odd. While the schools expect more the parents require less. Kids these days can't even make it to the grocery store without mommy throwing in some mindless DVD or video game while driving down the street. Are you shitting me? Johnny can't go 4 minutes without some type of stimulation? Kids TV shows on cable claim that "It's like preschool on TV". No it's not. It's still the blasted "idiot box"! Preschool requires leaving your home and interacting with other children and if you're lucky obtaining some knowledge. Kids don't have ADD ( I realize that yes some actually do)...just because the teacher isn't bursting into flames and shooting guns into the classroom. It means you failed as a parent. It ticks me off that so many kids are being labeled with ADD and then given drugs because they can't operate unless they're playing video games or zoning out on hours of TV. How lazy are we as parents? And childhood obesity? Huh? Those two words shouldn't even be in the same sentence. I guess while you're kid is watching TV in the car why not drive through McDonalds? And as long as the kid is enjoying "preschool" while zoning out on the couch, heck throw them a bag of cheetos.
I don't quite know how the schools expect children to be ready when they're not receiving much support from home. I guess we'll wait and see. For us, we'll continue with the flashcards. My goal is that by the time my two young ladies walk out the door ready for college they'll know (and it will have been proven to them) that you'll get farther in life with what's above your shoulders.