I have concerns about my daughter starting kindergarten. Any advice??

Question

My daughter is 5 years old. She is starting kindergarten in a public school this year due to the fact that I cannot afford private schooling, and I do not have time to homeschool due to my two jobs(I am a single parent of two).

My concern is that at 5 years old she can already count as high as she pleases, she can add single and single/double digit numbers, she can subtract single digit numbers, she knows the phone numbers and addresses of almost everyone we know(some of which I don't even know the numbers), she is doing 1st Grade workbooks, and can read simple books(as well as some with up to 6 letter words). She is very advanced for her age and I would like to know if there is anything that I can do to esure that she is learning new things in school. I am afraid that she will get bored and in turn dislike school. I would like to see her advance at a level that is appropriate for her learning abilities. Has anyone else experienced this, or does anyone have any advice??

Answer 1

My daughter is 6 and has just finished kindergarten at a public school. She too is a tiny high achiever. (No, no...must not be irritating bragging parent...must not be irritating bragging parent...)

It sounds like you're already doing a terrific job as her first and most important teacher, i.e., her parent. Your daughter will probably have lots of fun in kindergarten, will learn a few things you didn't get around to teaching her, will gain important social skills, but she might still be way ahead of the other kids in some areas, like math. That's fine.

I assume you'll continue to teach her at home. Your kitchen table is probably going to be the site of her best and most valuable learning experiences for quite a while, and that would still be the case if she were in a private school. Teachers formalize knowledge and skills; well-prepared students are ready to learn them. (Unprepared students struggle because they don't know how to learn yet, begin to see school as a venue for their repeated humiliation and failure, and eventually disconnect from school entirely.)

Your child will succeed and will find other well-prepared students in her public school classroom who enjoy learning and knowlege as much as she does. By the time she starts second grade or thereabouts, your school district may begin testing kids for Honors or Highly-Capable classes.Some people think these advanced classes are great; others think they limit kids' experiences and encourage elitism.

I am a public high school teacher. I've taught both ends of the academic spectrum: Honors and Alternative Ed.(low grades, low skills, low motivation; often have complicated home lives), and have found that seemingly very different kids are much more similar than they at first may appear. Both types of student require more individualized curriculum and freedom to approach a problem from whatever angle he or she wants to try, within certain boundaries. The big difference, with a few exceptions, is parent support and involvement. At Open House, few parents of my Alternative Ed. kids show up; for my Honors classes, the room is packed with parents.

The fact that you are actively teaching your daughter and giving her new and challenging experiences is the most positive harbinger of her academic future. She's a lucky girl, and one day, she will thank you!

Answer 2

I am having the same problem as you are. My son will be 4 in October, and he can count until he doesn't want to anymore, add and subtract single digits, he knows our phone number and address as well as those of his grandparents, aunts and uncles and a few of my close friends. He can read simple books, he can write 3 and 4 letter words.. I didn't know what I was going to do with him.

I called the 4 schools that are in my area. I explained my situation to them, and asked what placement they had for gifted children if any, and I asked them if there was a chance that I could have him tested and placed in another grade when he does start school.. because by the time he's 5, he's going to be smarter than he is now.

What I suggest is this. Call the school that you're thinking of sending her to, and explain your daughter to them. They may recommend testing to place her in the 1st grade. While in the 1st Grade, most schools have enhanced learning for gifted children. They take some of the smarter ones and have separate english and math classes. Make sure that her learning is not being hindered.. because that will lead to misbehavior.. and you don't want that.

Answer 3

I was a child like this, and in kindergarten I was always given different work from the rest of the class, and then I was skipped up a grade. It was a real mess, and I didn't have any friends until we moved five years later.

Don't underestimate the importance of what your child will learn socially. She may be able to count and add, but how do her social skills compare to those of her peers? That is primarily what is learned in the first year of school. Consider her level of confidence, as well.

I doubt that she will get so bored that she doesn't like school. You can call the principal or superintendent and ask about testing and placement, and she may be able to start in first grade. If not, just see how she likes it.

If she is not suited to kindergarten and you want to move her to a different grade level or different school, DO SO AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE. Do it all at once, not "maybe we'll try it out a few days a week." If possible, do it after a break in the school year. Don't make your daughter the odd one out.

Answer 4

Most public schools provide free testing. If you think she would be better suited in the 1st grade, see if she can be bumped up, or see if there are placement classes available for children with higher skills. It is your right as a parent to seek the best possible education you can get for your child, even if it is public school. Also, I am not sure what the school system is like where you live, but I can tell you that the kindergarden here is much more advanced than it was when I was in school. They have much higher demands on the students than they used to, she might fit right in and have plenty to learn, she might even be behind in some areas you haven't thought of. Good luck.

Answer 5

I GIVE YOU PROPS you are doing a great job with ur little one dont worry if you want to get her tested and maybe you can get her moved up to the first grade but if not then just let her go to kindergarten she can help the other students and can get more social expericance. kindergarten has changed a lot they do book reports on the books that they read and they do little bit of math and a lot more now. least where i live any way which is in sc so im sure they do that where you live you are doing a great job with your little one dont you worry aobut her too much now kindergarten has changed so im sure she will learn and not be bored.
i hope this helps to ease your mind a little bit

Answer 6

Before you do anything wait and see how she likes school. If she is happy there, I would leave it alone and continue to supplement her learning at home. Sounds like you've done a great job with the first 5 years and you will have to continue support whether your daughter is in public or private school for her to continue excelling.

If she does not feel challenged, meet with the teacher and express your feelings. Often teachers do not want to bombard bright kids with extra work or alienate them with different classroom assignments--but if that is what you are asking, i'm sure the teacher would oblige.

Answer 7

they test for these things now...they watch children to see if they are more advanced than the other students to keep them from becoming bored...they have special classes during half of the day for these children, in my school it was called orbits class....tell the teacher when you take her to school so they know what your choice is because they will ask you before they do the testing anyways...they will probably leave her in kindergarten this year with advancement in grades after this year if she passes the testing procedure....been there done that i was 2 years younger than everyone in my class when i graduated...i was 16 and they were all 18 and 19... i would not advise you to skip her though..it was a nightmare they were all older than me they could all do things that i wasnt allowed to do because they were older than me so i became a loner until i got in to cheerleading.. you get made fun of enough being smart let alone having to put up with being so much younger
than everyone else

Answer 8

I suggest that you go to the school and talk with the principal and voice your concerns. They will probably test her abilities and put her where she needs to be to stay challenged. Keep an eye on her work and ask her lots of questions and see how she feels about it, you will be able to tell by how she answers if she is bored or not. But the most important thing is to talk to the principal and even her teacher.

Answer 9

My daughter just started kindergarten on Monday... congrats!!!
I spoke with her teacher (whom I just met about a week ago, but like and respect as a teacher very much) and she told me that she doesn't teach to some arbitrary standard, she finds out where each student is at and tries to find appropriate challenges for them.
I was thrilled when I heard this because in my mind that is the ideal. So, in my opinion, I think you should ask your daughter's potential kindergarten teachers what their teaching method is and see if its in line with this. I would avoid leading them to say this by asking "do you teach to the individual child's ability?", cuz they might just say "yes" without meaning it. Just ask them what their philosophy/method/style is and see what they say... and see if they're sincere.
My daughter's teacher has been doing it for 15 years and she seems like she is really into it and takes her job seriously... if you were in Tempe, AZ, I could point you to her direction...
GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 10

wow your daughter is very advanced!
i would talk with the teacher and see if there are some tests that can preformed. i am not sure if they would start at such a early age.
i do know, that my cousin's son is very advanced for his age. he was tested in the 1st grade, i think it was. and instead of putting him with older children like the next grad level. he was just put in reading and math classes with the next grade.
sometimes even though they are smarter, doesn't mean they are mature enough to be with the older children.