Question for elementary ed teacher? Academically advanced five year old.?

Question

My son is 5 (to be 6 in Nov). I don't know what his grade level is for reading but he reads and understands books from the Magic Tree House/School Bus series easily. He loves Beverly Cleary books and can read those independently. He can do double digit addition with carrying over. He understands fractions, how to tell time etc. He loves to learn and will enthusiastically learn what ever you teach him. His kindergarten teacher does enrichment activities with him during his "center" time. He loves school.

How unusual is it for a five year old to be able to read and do math at this level in kindergarten? (Maybe it's not so unusual?) I don't have any frame of reference and I'm reluctant to discuss this with friends for fear of seeming obnoxious. "My kid is so smart." We are considering private school and this feedback would help. Is there any point to having him tested? We would never have him skip a grade.

Thanks to anyone who answers.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful answers (especially Mallori). Socially my son is a typical silly five year old. He doesn't connect particularly well with older kids and for this reason I would not have him skip a grade. He's five and plays best with kids who are four or five. Our school district is good but has no K-5 resources for kids who are ahead of the learning curve. We're very happy with his teacher but she naturally spends more time with the kids who aren't getting it than kids who got and are five steps ahead. I would love to homeschool him! But it would be too socially isolating given that he's an only child.
Thanks again. All of your answers have given me some perspective.

Answer 1

Being somewhat on the other side of that equation, I was very advanced when I was younger. It leads to a lot of issues, good and bad. People get expectations of you, and a sensitive child can feel very bad when they don't match expectations. Also, a lot of adults in teacher-type roles don't know how to deal with children being ahead, and they try to hold back the child to make the teacher's (and they'd say the other kids) life easier. I've been the victim of that before. "Hold on, let the other kids have a chance to catch up" leading to boredom, and a feeling of not belonging.

When things came so easily to me, I also didn't really learn stick-to-it-iveness, so if something WAS harder, I felt bad about myself for not knowing it right off, and sort of gave up, with some rationaliziation that it was "stupid" when what I was really feeling was that *I* was stupid.

I would emphasize the effort involved in learning a little more than the actual knowledge, which would be hard to do with a kid for whom it isn't or at least doesn't feel like work. I would avoid statements like "you're so good at everything else, you can do this" and say things like "it requires effort to learn new things, but it is so worth it!"

You don't want the child to feel "superior" any more than you want him to feel inferior. Praise his work ethic more than his "brilliance"

These are just some ideas I had offhand. Congratulations on having a child who loves learning, and does it so well! Try to not burn him out, and keep things age-appropriate without ever "dumbing" him down, and fight for your child if it becomes necessary with his teachers. Hopefully it won't even be an issue.

Edited to add: Skipping a grade is something you would want to weigh carefully. It becomes an issue with emotional/physical maturity. For instance, when your child's peers are 13 and they are 12, there can be a fairly big divide there. Also, in 4th grade or so, they really expect a child's actual motor strength to be such that they could write for a few hours a day, but a child a year younger may be frustrated with not having the physical stamina with those sorts of things. You also probably wouldn't want a younger child exposed to more "teenage" issues before they need to be. It's not something I would totally rule out, but it's something I really would think long and hard about before consenting to. I've also heard great things about Montessori learning, but don't have personal experience with it. It would definitely be something to check out.

Also, remember to keep your expectations of him age-appropriate. Just because he may function a few levels above intellectually, doesn't mean he won't still have behaviors that are very much consistent with his actual peers, even though they may not be anywhere near his level. Let him be your child, and expect him to behave as 5, almost 5 and a half, while allowing him to learn as much as he would like, and helping him learn some things he may not love but will have to know.

Edited again to add: Thank you! I enjoyed answering it, it's something I've thought a good bit about. I'm 17 and am homeschooled (and also an only child), so I don't really feel like an authority on parenting or teaching, but I have thought about what I went through and how I could have done better or possibly not as well if circumstances were changed. Good luck for you and your son!

As far as how homeschooling was AS an only child, I think it was a little harder on me not having the built in playmates siblings would afford. All in all, I *think* the benefits for me outweighed the liabilities. I do tend to be shy and introverted, but I do think I would have been regardless. I did dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading, plus interacted with kids in the neighborhood, and at church, so I wasn't ever isolated really, but sometimes I felt awfully lonely for the hours while the other kids were in school. It was excellent having the whole kid's section of the library basically to myself though!

Oddly enough what I see as probably the worst thing that came out of me personally being homeschooled is probably exactly what most homeschool parents would say they like best about homeschooling. I wasn't in "forced" situations of being with a larger group of kids for long periods of down time, such as recess or standing in lines, etc. like you get at school, so I didn't really get much chance to see kids at their worst. I feel that was somewhat bad for me because I have an extremely thin skin. I didn't really get that "You're a poopyhead" thing in first grade that teaches kids how to deal with childish (as well as not-so childish) insults. I don't like that I get so hurt by little comments that would wash right over other people. I am not 100% sure this is directly related, but I think it has a good deal to do with it.

I think I am more prepared for college, because homeschooling generally mimics what is expected of college students than public school does. Apparently most public schooled kids don't really know how to take a book, read it, and learn from it. I know how to pace myself for time alloted (in other words, there are 6 modules in a book, and 4 months for me to learn it, so I have to do one module about every 3 weeks type thing, it sounds simple, but most of my friends have no clue!), and learn from books. I think that will be a very important college skill that I am glad I have now, and not when I am x miles away from home, you know what I mean?

Feel free to email me if you have anything you would like further addressed.

Mallori

Answer 2

It isn't unusual for a five-year old to read at that level, or to do math at that level. He sounds like a bright little boy, and one who enjoys learning.
You can have him tested if you wish, but your best bet is to take a good look at the schools in your neighborhood. Does the public school have a class for gifted and talented children? If so, that could be your best bet. The thing with private schools is, they don't usually cater to the gifted child or the above average child. Learning is easier for the normal child because classes are smaller and there is more individuall attention, but the teachers are private schools are not always trained in teaching the above average.
The main thing is to ensure that he continues to enjoy school. Boredom can kill his enthusiasm and turn off his learning abilties, and that is the last thing you want.
You can home school your child and, despite the popular misconception, it doesn't mean isolating your child or that he doesn't ever interact with other children. Home schooled children do field trips, often work together in groups, and are almost always enrolled in a number of clubs of various sorts, ranging from scouts to baseball or swimming, to junior science clubs. So there are ample opportunities for the homeschooled child to socialize.
Skipping grades isn't something that is normally done any longer, with the exception of child prodigies, who don't fit within the normal boundaries, for the very good reason that placing a ten year old in a class with fourteen year olds simply doesn't work.
Talk to the teachers at the public school he would attend, talk to the teachers at the private school you are considering, and get more information on the home schooling. You know your child better than anyone else, and this should be a decision that involves the child as well. What does he want to do?

Answer 3

A boy I babysit for(same age) sounds just like your son...he's reading the same books, doing multiplication, ect....He knows all his states, countries, and capitals...
His parents have chosen not to do anything other than let him keep learning new things. He doesn't mind that he knows more than some adults, and enjoys teaching others on what he knows. His parents do not want him to feel too different from other kids, and do not want him to change schools/skip grades.
I think this is the best for him, because he still likes being a kid. He can read, write, and studied things as often as he likes, but he can still act like a five year old boy. Putting him in an advanced class or school might be too much.

Answer 4

Sounds to me you could have a "gifted" child. (I'm not a teacher). You should have him tested, though. As for not skipping a grade: why not? If a child is "beyond" what is being taught as his grade/age level, he could get very bored at what he may consider "simple stuff" and he may "act out" in class (I'm not saying that yours would, but this seems to often be the case with some kids). Skipping one grade probably would not hurt; two may be pushing it.

I don't know where you are located (hopefully, not in WA, where the educational system sucks the life out of children because of the WASL!!). Private schooling may be a good idea if you are not thrilled with your public school system. There are also online schools if you would like to consider homeschooling.

Talk to your son's teacher and/or your son's doctor about how to find out about testing his intelligence. You may also be able to get more information from your state's Department of Education (unless you live in WA State; if that's the case, do not bother contacting the OSPI or Dept. of Ed.!!)

Good luck!!

Answer 5

Many schools offer advanced placement, though some do not start until 3rd grade. You may want to discuss this with his teacher and principal, they should be able to go over all of your options. If you are looking into private school, you need to be very vigilant, not all private schools live up to the standards of public schools, and some far exceed them.
My son is 6 and in Kindergarten, he only reads at a 1st grade level, but his math skills are the same and he is very good at Science. His problem is paying attention and getting his work done, he is WAY to social=) But it doesn't seem that your son is having that problem.
Many schools will have a special teacher in the first grade that handles exceptional children without the label of exceptional. You may want to check and see if there is a program like that in your area. You could also check into Montessori schools, they are self guided, your child would still be with children his own age but he could learn at his own level. Many exceptional children thrive in this environment because they are able to learn on their terms and at their own pace. Again though you have to thoroughly check out each Montessori in your area.
Congrats on a wonderful boy I hope he continues to thrive in his life and education.

Answer 6

Let her come to your bed. Prop her up like a Princess and put on her favorite show. Then bring her Hot Chocolate or Peppermint Tea in a china cup with a saucer. Speak in an English accent and call her "Mi Lady". She will perk right up. If she doesn't - smackherasss and give her something to have an attitude over. ♥

Answer 7

First have him professionally tested. I stress the word professionally. Once you receive the results then you could make a clearer decision about your child's future. It's better for the mind to have solid evidence that your child is gifted instead of talking about it.