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I am the father of a just turned 5-year old who will be starting kindergarten next year.  He can read many simple words and can organize his thoughts into sentences.  Should I have him tested and go from pre-K to 1st grade instead?  Or do i put him in the local cathoilic school kindergarten (sorry i don't trust public schools) and hope for the best.

Thank you

A concerned parent

Great question.  Most Kindergarten programs, even at Catholic schools, have screening procedures designed to determine appropriateness for Kindergarten.  If your child's school and you believe he requires a more challenging curriculum, perhaps the typical offerings can be supplemented.  I'd seriously hesitate before considering skipping a grade at any age, however, as academic development is not the only need school addresses.  Children require socialization among developmental peers, too.  Play and emotional needs are quite specific at every age, and are usually best met if a child is allowed to stay with age peers.  Remember, too, that while it's exciting to think our kids might be gifted, if they do skip a grade, they'll fly the coop a year early (on my!).  They'll also have classmates dealing with adolescence issues earlier than they.  Our cogitive and emotional development is not always even.  We're tempted to think our gifted kids can handle emotionally sophisticated situations as easily as an algebra equation.  Not always true.  Give this some serious thought, and good luck!

Jennifer DuBose

 

 

 

Dear Jennifer,

I appreciate your reply.  You seem to have some knowledge of the subject matter, so i value your opinion.  As a concerned parent I just want my son to be challenged at school  and not be held back because of others.  We tenatively have him enrolled next year at St. Frances of Rome kindergarten in Cicero.  I tried Education.com and Greatschools .net but private schools are not required to post test scores or statistics so its hard to compare the school with others.  I went to an open house and the faculty and the surroundings seem fine, but i still have that doubt.  Any further insight or comment would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Mike Artz

Hi Mike,

I agree with Jennifer on the social needs. My children were more than ready for first grade by the time they reached kindergarten age as far as what they needed to do with course work. However, they definately needed more time to just be kids. I share your concerns with having your child challenged. Talk with your kindergarten teacher and ask for extra worksheets, extended learning opportunities that can be done at home. It sounds like you have done a great job with your son and I have no doubt you will continue exposing him to education and opportunities.

Kids face so much pressure these days. Kindergarten helps set the tone for how they feel about school and giving them that time to learn to enjoy school without the pressure to perform is vital.

Good luck.

I have a 2nd grade son who is far ahead of the curve in both reading and math, so we've been thinking a lot about this issue. But I feel that socially he is right at home with his peer group, despite being considered 'mature' for his age. I recently heard a report on cognitave learning and imaginative play and the effects that they have on a child's 'self regulation' or ability to govern their own behavior. ( There is a link to a transcript here: http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=3 I suggest everyone check it out- it is really fascinating!  

More than one study showed that creative, imaginative play is what helps a child to build self-regulation- and that self regulation was a better indicator of how a child will do in school than IQ! I'm very proud and pleased that my son is an advanced reader and mathmatician for his age, but I am not going to get too invested in those processes alone. He also takes aikido, which I think is a great way to channel energy and concentration- but we make sure he has plenty of time to just hang out and noodle around making up his own games as well. Don't be in too big a hurry to move your child up academically- he is learning things all on his own, even if you might not see it right away!

I agree. Children are bright, curious creatures! And they are rarely equally developed in all areas, which is perfectly normal! Perhaps your little guy feels confident with reading and writing, but could use some extra time with imaginative play, social skills, fine motor skills, speech or large motor play. He can use his read/write skills to make signs for other students, "Don't knock over my block structure" or help take attendance in the morning. A trained teacher will recognize and support his strengths, while challenging him in areas that may be more difficult. There are other options for schools, as well, aside from Catholic and public. Maybe you can find one that fits his needs a bit better than a traditional program of 25 kids to a room. Either way, stay involved with his class, get to know the teachers, perhaps help out in the classroom and have fun!

In the Chicago Public School system there is a seperate system of selective enrollment (GEAP) for the gifted and classical schools. Any child in the city can be tested (for free) for enrollment to these schools. There is a difference between bright children and gifted children and the way they learn. You might want to research the differences to help you determine what is best for your child. My daughter is enrolled at the Edison Regional Gifted Center in Chicago. I had her tested because at the age of 2 she could verbally describe subtle differences in colors ( the difference between grey and silver)and was drawing pictures in perspective( could draw a picture of two shoes both in different positions with the openings as ovals in proper relation to the rest of the shoe).  She couldn't read but she was relating abstract concepts which were far beyond her years which were never taught to her. I don't know the exact process they used when testing her for school. Her gifted school is a stand alone meaning that all the kids there are all gifted learners. they are all working at 1-2 grade levels above standard in all subjects and are challenged but no.one is moved ahead of their peers for social reasons. All the kids have different strengths. My daughter is weak in math but strong in music and art, things that aren't usually stressed in school. I am glad they were able to see her strengths in the admission testing. You should make it a priority to keep your child challenged in their advanced subjects. My child is thriving in this stand alone gifted program. Everyone is gifted so they are not different, wierd or  nerds which are the way they are sometimes labled when seen as standing out from the rest of the kids in any way. Good luck and know that there are tons of resources for families of gifted kids.

My little Emma is in elementary school now, and she is always the reading star of the class. Yes, I really believe that children are brilliant creatures and parents should prepare a lot for them.

Emma started doing the practice of Gifted and Talented Math Program of http://www.beestar.org/index.jsp last semester, and she really loves it! The questions stimulate the curiosity of kids and drive them to think a lot. Emma often receives the honor roll from Beestar, and she is very happy every time.

I believe Emma is an excellent child with great gift, and I am also considering transfering her to the gifted schools.

My son is a little over three-years-old, and he is out of place with his peers at his current preschool and this is causing him to isolate himself from the other children in his class. They are also rejecting him because he is so far beyond them intellectually (but socially my son is typically great at sharing, and is highly sensistive and empathetic). Recently he has been doing "bad" things to get in a time out with adults at the preschool.

 I am at a loss as to what to do -- do I seek out a program where he can be with other bright/gifted preschoolers?

We live in downtown Chicago, and it seems like our options might be limited -- at the very least, it would be great to meet some other people with children our son's age (3,4).