Did you have a 5 year old who had a hard time with Kindergarten?

Question

Last year, my son had a hard time adjusting to kindergarten. He was restless, bored, and did not follow directions. Teacher said he does not have ADHD she thinks but said he is not focus and one time he fell asleep on his desk. She said that although he's very solid academically that is why he's going to first grade in the fall, he takes longer than other students to complete his work. He told me that he does not like school and that it is boring. I worry that history might repeat itself again. Did anyone else have this problem?

Answer 1

My son had a hard time too. I think it is mostly that they are dealing with responsibility and it is not just play and have fun any more(for most kids). My son didn't like having to do something that he didn't want to do, but he did it and he made it through. Also, school wipes young kids out! They just tire out easily. My boy would come home and was in bed by 5pm or asleep on the couch. It is mentally exhausting for some kids. Be patient, yet make sure he knows that he has to go and has to do the work. He'll improve with each new grade.

Answer 2

I completed K when I was 4, and had to repeat when the state found out I went through it too young, even though I was like 10 times more advanced than the other kids... I was reading books and knew all the bones in my body by medical terminology- yes, I was smart. No, I did not want to be a Dr- just a bit burned out!

I hate how people are so quick to diagnose kids and ruin their lives (if he wanted to go into the military, he wouldn't be able to) because they're a bit different. I used to fall asleep or read novels in grade school. The teacher would call on me, and I'd know the answer. If he's too advanced, of course he's bored- and the public education system is next to worthless! Yes, there are some teachers who care, but not all can take the time to give each student the attention they deserve because kids are just crammed in rooms and force fed what may or may not be important to their development. They get the basics, and a LOT of garbage. I think the system can and does stunt our mental growth.
If you start teaching a child at a young age, they can be very smart... If their sole source of education is the public school system they might wind up like some of the "kids" I had in my college English class who wrote like the "kids" on here! Not just making typos, but completely incapable of making a coherent sentence!

Try homeschool- I wish I could have gotten that... but then again, you get to interract with others...well, there are more and more homeschool programs where kids can meet.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I think all kids react differently to school, primarily depending on what they did before school. If he stayed home with you he was not accustomed to a structured day. If he was in a daycare, maybe the structure was not as rigid as it is in Kindergarten. Either way, I would suggest doing his homework with him and somehow make it fun and give him a lot of reassurance that he is learning and is so smart, and how proud you are. Also be sure he is getting enough sleep at night - 10 hours is about right. Also be sure he is getting a good breakfast that provides him with energy. Encourage him to be excited about going back to school, and make it a "fun" thing so he isn't so hesitant to go back. Good luck!

Answer 4

Is there a counselor at his school that specializes in diagnosing learning disabilities?

His teacher may not be qualified to diagnose your son, and honestly I would get another opinion.

Your son sounds EXACTLY like my brother, he was sent to several schools and teachers said he was just lazy and not interested in school.

Finally he had professional tests done and he was diagnosed with an audible learning disability and is doing so much better in school. He thought school was boring because he was not understanding the work.

He could be bored, but remember there are MANY learning disabilities, he could have one and its best to double check for his benefit.

Good luck.

Answer 5

If he's bored, try homeschooling. It would be alot easier on him, you, and his future teachers. If he likes to take his time on his work then that is a great thing. At least he's not rushing through his work. With homeschooling he could work at his own pace and learn the things he wants to learn so that he's not bored. It wouldn't affect him socially either since you could still get him involved with playgroups, sports, etc. If you don't like that idea then maybe you should have him switch schools.