I think my daughter is smart enough to be in kindergarten, can she go?

Question

My 4.5 year old daughter is doing the same things in her pre-school that my nephew is doing in Kindergarten. Today, I went to the website of her soon-to-be kindergarten and they're also doing the same school work. She got every single answer right on her ASQ Exam (which isn't very in depth, it focuses more on motor skills than anything else). I was just wondering if there are any teachers or parents with Gifted children who can give me some insight as to whether my daughter is normal, or if she is going to be bored next year. How do I get her tested?? Where do I go? I was thinking of calling her future elementary school, but if she isn't indeed gifted, I wouldn't want to be "the parent who thinks their child is perfect". Thanks!

I have always suspected that she was smarter than her peers. In our family we have 5 children who were all born in the same year. She has always been ahead of them, not by a LOT in some areas...but always ahead. I just had the parent/teacher conference last week. I guess that's why I'm wondering. Both of her teachers said she is exceptional. They said she is extremely bright and well oriented. She is very well oriented socially (that was my worry) and that she shows the class how to set a good example everyday as far as behavior goes. She hasn't complained about being bored, but I'm thinking next year she might since they're doing all the same things. This past weekend, she and I were talking about less than and more than...I wrote out 10 math problems, explained the < and the > sign to her and she got them all but one right. She missed it because she said, "Mom, your "7s" look like "1s" you should work on your handwriting."

To edit:

In our ~ extended family ~ there are 5 children.

Answer 1

I can only pass on my experience....I wouldn't even let my children be in the gifted program until high school...why?? I wanted them to believe that intelligence is nothing they have earned or achieved in life...only a gift from God.....remember, the cream always rises to the top. (They are phsycians today). I have a 3 year old grandchild who for fun likes to identify artist's work (Picasso, etc) in books. He knows all the flags of the world by doing it himself....His parents only want him socialized...they did not say one thing to the school about his intelligence. (she is a pedicatrician)

Answer 2

Here they have a pre-k in the public schools for 4 year olds. I would ask her future school what they think you should be doing. A few things you might want to think about are, does she need any more shots before she can start school, and how are her social skills. I had a daughter that was very smart and every year they wanted to up her a grade but socially she was way behind. The school and I came to a compromise. They had her doing harder work than the rest of her class but she stayed with children her own age. This went on all the way through elementary school. She just wasn't as good with the social skills as her sisters.

Answer 3

Some schools will offer testing to possibly allow kids to skip a grade, most of the time it does cost money though. Other schools are really strict about the age differences, I also waned to get my daughter into kindergarten a little early, but because she has a December birthday they wouldn't allow her to do the testing even though I was willing to pay. They also take into account emotional maturity, but ultimately it all depends on the school because my daughter is also doing all the thing your daughter is doing and we got a letter of recommendation from her preschool explaining that she was advanced in all areas mentally, emotionally and physically, but they were so strict about the age requirements that they would even consider it, so she wont be in kindergarten until she is five. Make sure that this is what is really best for your child. Contact the school way ahead of time and try to get her into testing. Good luck I hope you get somewhere with them I know how frustrating it can be when you know that your child is capable of so much more than the level of school they offer, to the point that she is becoming bored with what they do at school because everything is to easy.

Answer 4

Make sure your child is also mature enough for kindergarten. My son was tested at his elementary school.

I have a gifted child who is 10 years old and in JUNIOR HIGH. But he gets in trouble because he doesn't know how to control his behavior. He, of course, behaves like a 10 year old, where everyone else is 2 years older than him.

Answer 5

Pre-School and Kindergarten focus a great deal on social skills. Your child may be brilliant, but can she share? Can she wait patiently? Can she listen to the teacher without interrupting? Can she follow through on tasks? There are many other skills that your little one needs to enhance that high IQ.

Answer 6

What month was she born in? For developmental reasons, most school districts have strict policies regarding when a child can start kingergarten. If your daughter was born after the determined cutoff, you can either enroll her in a private school or homeschool her... Most schools won't bend the rules no matter what. With my sister, we had to start her out at a private school, and then move her after kindergarten.

Answer 7

The state mandates minimum age requirements for public school, but you could look into a private kindergarten then when entering public school, your child could be tested for the first grade if needed.

Answer 8

Get feedback from the teachers. Ask THEM what they think of her intellectual abilities. What you have to keep in mind is that she may be intellectually advanced, but as far as development goes she may be better off with kids her own age.

Answer 9

it isn't just an age or intelligence thing it is a maturity thing. can she sit still for more than 15 mins etc. talk to her current teacher since she sees her in class and can observe her development better or at least more objectively.

Answer 10

no one in this world is perfect therefore dont think much,i would advice you to first sit with her,talk with her and see how she is performing according to you.Your daughter could be one of those gifted people.
get help from other people who have had the same cases as well.