Can You Test a Child to Enter School Early?

She may be 'smarter' but she doesn't have the same social skills as older kids. Children need to be with their peers socially throughout grade schol, and probably much longer.

Nope- these are state regulations. Depending on the state, the "cut off" is either September 1 or December 1. In either case, your daughter isn't close.

She may be begging to go to school and very intelligent, but her maturity will not match her peers and she would likely have a difficult time later in life. Honestly, right now she seems advanced but do you want her to be 14 in classes with 16 yr olds? Think long-term and consider having her spend the upcoming school year at a preschool, not a daycare. They are different. You would need to pay tuition, but it may be worth it to get her more engaged.

Remember that you can't really go "backwards" without then applying the stigma of being "retained".

I realize you asked specifically about if there are tests to have her enter K early. I don't know. But I wouldn't, even if there are. Your daughter may be gifted, and yes, this can show up early and usually does. The thing to do would be to offer her lots and lots of extra learning opportunities outside of her preschool hours. Can you get her started learning the piano or another instrument? Have you spent time with books or considering teaching her to read yourself (not waiting for school to do it)? Is there an art program you could sign her up for? A gymnastics class? Karate?

All of these things will stimulate her mentally in ways beyond what she is getting at preschool. You just have to be careful not to over schedule her. But I found, with my own daughter, that that is hard to do with a child as motivated and quick as she is. But follow her lead and she will let you know when too much is too much. Keep it all FUN. At 4, she doesn't want to be sitting in a desk all day, no matter how much she wants to learn academics.

Read up on Gifted children and see if you don't find that these characteristics (there is a WIDE variation in which areas depending on each child) fit your child.

If you get her enrolled in K at 4, then she'll be bored unless you put her in 1st grade at 5, and so on. If she is gifted, she may well be "ready" and may even want to move on to 2nd grade halfway through age 6... but that is not a road I recommend. Think long term here. Do you really want all her friends driving/dating when your daughter is 14?? Think she has social issues with her friends now? Try having her 2 years younger than everyone else in her classes... they will look at her like a geek/freak. She will have some friends, but it won't be the same as if they are her age peers. Just because she might be academically ahead of her age peers, she can still be challenged. There are gifted/talented programs, AP classes, and homeschooling to consider.

Good luck.

She's too young and not ready. She's 4 - to her school is fun right now, of course she wants to go. Finishing activities first is not a sign of anything other than she is efficient in what she does. I'm sorry, I don't mean to burst your bubble. I am a teacher and see this all of time...let her advance at the proper age. If she is 'too smart' she can test for the gifted program once she enters school - that would give her the challenge she may need.

I was right at the cut off age of entering school and my mom did not hold me back. I didn't turn 18 until the July after I graduated high school. While I did well academically, my social skills were definitely lacking comparatively to most of the kids in my class but not with few kids that were my age. Plus, I was always the last one to do or get the milestone events such as a driver's license, dating, hitting puberty, drinking etc. - that really sucked!

It is generally best for kids to go to school on time, with their age-grade peers. That whole mix is topsy turvey right now because of massive kindergarten redshirting, so know that if you were to send her to school at age 4, turning 5 in early January, she will likly be younger than a great many children by two full years plus. The difference between and older 4 and a very young 7 is huge, and that may be her situation. That is not to say that, academically, that would not be the right thing for her, but socially, and behavioral expectation wise, it should give you pause.

As far as academics go, a younger child has an advantage. That is, if that child has any unforseen learning issues (which are just as likely for smart children as they are for the rest) then going early gives them one extra year to be identified and to receive targeted instruction such that they learn what they need to learn. But, as more childre are held back (a terrible practice academically, no matter how good it feels at the time) the whole behavioral expectation has moved upward for the lower grades, making those who cannot behave withing the normative standards of a young 7 seem to be less mature, and even not meeting the behavioral standard at all. My hope is that this red shirting trend will stop soon, and that children will go to school on time so that the normative standards will balance back out. Sure, an old 4 is compared to children of the same age in standardized tests, but a teacher, who makes ratings scales types of observations, compares children to the other children in the same grade. All intervention services are provided based on grade, not age.

You could speak to the district about the state policy, but you have the decision. There are probably more academically based private preschools, but enrichment is just as effective for most kids. More books, a few classes she enjoys, and some help to adjust her playing strategy so that she learns to accomodate her friends a little better would be a good idea.

If you really wonder if your child is gifted, know that many children learn basics very quickly, and children, all other things being equal, meaning that they all ge good educational services, even out by the 4th grade, when the learning changes from learing to read and write to writing and reading to learn, leaving very few truly gifted children. It is a terrible disapointment to lable a child as gifted, only to withdraw the title later (this is the only time I think lables are harmful) I see this often, I have started to see parents come to me as an educational advocate, trying to get thier children placed in gifted programs, when they do not qualify. Good programs do not start until the 4th grade. You could invest in a private Neuropsycholgical evaluation, and you would have some idea of her potential and know what areas to provide the most enrichment in.

I would speak to the school district, get her tested if you really think it is needed, and consider not just her academic level, but the age of the children she will be in class with.

M.

We actually DID test our daughter early for kindergarten and had her start early, too. She missed the cutoff by 3 weeks where we lived at the time and had already been to pre-school for 2 years. All her teachers said she was ready for kindergarten in every way. Her best friend was exactly 1 year older and they played together really well. She also played with her older sister and HER friends really well. She was easily a head taller than everyone else in her pre-school class and REALLY stood out. She was so far ahead academically in pre-school that her teachers said she'd be bored if we kept her there another year. Plus, after seeing her sister go to kindergarten, she was DYING to go herself. She's in 3rd grade now and is doing really well. Academically, she's doing just fine, has lots of friends in her grade, is STILL one of the physically taller kids, she really just fits in well and we're happy with our decision. I considered middle school as well. I really didn't want her to be the oldest child in her class and a foot taller than all the boys (we all know how tough middle school can be, I really wanted to give her a chance to blend in). And then we thought about high school: this way, she can take a year off between HS and college and travel or work or do an internship and still enter college at the same age as her peers. And finally, we considered that I had started early myself and was always the youngest in my class. I had personal experience with this. I didn't even realize I was the youngest until middle school. The ONLY time it ever affected me was senior year of college when I was 20 and all my friends were already 21. So boo hoo, I couldn't get into the bars legally. I just dated the bouncer (married him, too!). All things considered, so far, I'm glad we started our daughter early. She's happy and thriving and we're happy to see that.

Generally, schools won't test kids for early entry. There's a big reason to this - there are many kids who are cognitively advanced ("smart") but generally not so much emotionally and socially. I taught Kindergarten and I can tell you that it is far harder dealing with kids who are emotionally immature than who don't yet know their ABC's or numbers (we do it anyway, of course). At 4 or 5, even a few months makes a big difference in emotional and social development, so a child entering kindergarten at 4.5 would often be far behind one who is nearly 6. And so much of what children learn in the early years builds upon these other aspects. (We have to teach the "whole child," so it's not something that we can ignore; we're not trying to take over the job of the parent or anything).

I know how you feel. My daughter has always been super smart. She has a late september birthday, and I was really bugged that she had to wait the extra year for kindergarten. She was already reading basic words, and talked like she was at least 10 and knew her numbers and everything, but she had to wait. Ends up it was a good thing - the emotional development was not there yet, and she actually had some catching up to do in the first few years of school in that aspect (and she had been in preschool since she was 3). Now she's in 6th grade, at the top of her class (but not bored - the teachers know how to keep her challenged), and very confident both academically and socially. It was really best for her, as a whole person, to wait that extra year. (I, on the other hand, got in through a loop-hole when I wasn't quite 5, and I struggled socially and emotonally the whole way through school, and still do, even though academics was never an issue).

So remember, it's about the whole child, not just how smart she is. Call her day care "school" (we did that for my youngest his last year before kindergarten), and supplement at home. Help her develop emotionally and socially as much as she is cognitively. And when she enters school, if she seems at all bored, talk to the teacher and counselor - the DO have testing and programs for advanced kids once they are in school, in many areas.

I wonder if it is dictated per state, or at least district.

We were in Olathe when our now 16 year old missed the cut off date by a month. Her birthday is October 1st. I called the Olathe District offices and asked for an assessment test and was told, too bad. She was NOT 5 by September 1st, end of discussion.
It has worked out, but mostly because when she was in 1st grade we put her in a private school that teaches 1-2 grade levels above the local public schools.
Good Luck!

You can have her tested but be aware that younger kids being tested must score much higher than kids that of the regulation age to start. They also have to be tested for social readiness as well. Can't hurt to test her but be realistic about what you may encounter. It needs to be right on all levels (not just academically).

By the way...I am in the exact same situation w/ my daughter (turned 4 on Dec 4th). The cut off years ago was Dec 31 but is now Aug 30 so she wouldn't start next school year but rather the following (when she would be almost 6). I may have her tested just to see but haven't decided.

I have a daughter who taught herself to read with a little help of course but not a lot of help. Anyway, I started her early because she finished her Kindergarten curriculum when she was four and was reading fluently. I homeschool so it wasn't an issue but my thought was that if she went to school, I'd put her in school when she was older but have them test her first. I homeschooled my two older ones for two years then had them tested to put them in school. They put them in the grades that they tested regardless of their age or what grade I told them they were in. They went by the tests alone. So if you can homeschool until she's 6 and then approach the school and say you've been homeschooling, then maybe she'll test for the higher grade. I don't think that answers your question about starting school at age four but I thought I'd throw that out there in case they won't work with you. Good luck!

You can test early in some school districts but I don't know if there is a minimum age they have to be. You'll have to call the school your daughter would attend and ask their policy. My middle son misses the cutoff by a few weeks and we are tested him to enter early. I'm sure your daughter is very bright but if she is not even 4 yet, I wouldn't even consider it. There's more to school than the education side. She would probably be picked on for being so young, yes, the teasing and bullying starts in kindergarten. Remember that some parents hold their children from going to school until they are six so some kids in her class will be almost two years older than her. If she only missed the cut off by a month or even two, I would say go for it but I would not in your situation.

If you do decide to get her tested, they have to be tested by a Psychologist for their social skills and maturity. You may find that they won't even allow her to enter. In our district they have to test in the top 95% of the children entering school.

Hello,
Speaking as a preschool teacher, mother of a child that was "too smart" for preschool, and an adult that was enrolled in school early, dont put in in kindergarten early! At this age, the most important thing that she can learn is social/emotional skills, not academics. If you enter in school early, she is younger than other children, less mature than her classmates, and has fewer social skills. this may single her out as "different" and may effect her the rest of her life ( i know it did me!). Instead, focus on teaching her the social skills to get along with others, and her communication skills. this will set her up for greater success in school and personal life for the rest of her life. Good luck.

Liz

First of all, there's no such thing as "too smart" and invariably people who make such comments are usually not very smart themselves. As someone who has dealt with that comment my entire life, watch those who say it. If they're casual acquaintances or close family, they probably mean nothing by it. However, teachers and others who are around her a lot can actually give her some very negative messages about her intellect, and that comment is often an indicator of jealousy.

You can have her privately tested with a child psychologist. I'm sure your pediatrician would give you a referral. However, most public schools and many private ones refuse early admission to children under 5. This is largely due to maturity and social issues, and even if your daughter is incredibly mature and social, they usually don't make allowances. You could call some area private schools and ask them about early kindergarten admission. You should also look into Montessori schools. Children learn at their own pace there, so if she's advanced, she could keep going beyond the regular preschool/kindergarten curriculum.

She sounds a lot like me as a child. A child psychologist told my mother to put me into kindergarten immediately when I was 3, and none of them would take me. Things haven't changed very much since then as far as early admissions, and I've watched several friends try this more recently. Montessori usually seems to work the best. One thing that IS possible -as she grows up, she may skip grades if needed. I skipped two and graduated from high school in 1986 instead of 1988 -basically exactly what would have happened if they had admitted me into kindergarten at age 3! I just had to wait until later to skip ahead.

My niece is extremely intelligent. She attended a private preschool at the ages of 3 and 4 and was far more advanced than the other children, and, frankly, bored. She just started K this year. When she was tested, my sister was told that it would not be possible nor in the child's best interest to start K early or to skip it (well, I guess K isn't mandatory) but that they would suggest that my niece skip first grade (this is in Pennsylvania) and go from K to second next year. My daughter is very similar (she starts a private preschool in January and from visiting the classes I can already tell we are going to have a challenge in that my daughter already knows all of the things they are being taught and has for quite some time but we want the social aspect) and she would not be able to enter K early. It isn't permitted in my locality plus she is a summer baby so she is going to be one of the younger ones whilst in K and I am just not sure how socially advanced/adept she is even though she is "book smart". Personally, I wouldn't push for starting K early but would rather look for an actual preschool, not a daycare (in this state the preschools use the same curriculum whether they are public or private if they accept funding) and then see about skipping grades in the future if that seems like something your daughter needs. Good luck.

Here the cut off for K is I think Sept 30th. I wanted to push my youngest but they don't let you here. She is now in the 1st grade and doing wonderfully. She just loves school! I wouldn't push her ahead now, I am waiting to see how she does. I would rather let her stay with her peers and do well then push and wish I didn't.

I think you should wait and see how your child does. You may not be able to start her early as you can't here. good luck.

EDIT I forgot to say they do testing in the beginning of the year to see how the kids are doing and they my decide to move your child up.

My daughter skipped 2nd. I would suggest skipping the grade that does not include teaching them to write in cursive. Some years it's third, some it's 2nd. That is the only thing my daughter missed. It affected her handwriting grade but nothing else.
Let her do Kindergarten with the others. If at that time she is making friends with the 2nd adn 3rd graders because they read the same thing she does or play at the same level then consider skipping 1st. As it is the school should hve a gifted program that will keep her challenged once she hits 2nd or 3rd.

My daughter was able to start kindergarten at 4, but only because of the way her birthday fell. She was certainly ready. However, when my husband got transferred to Oregon with his job, she was in school for several months before they realized that she should not have been in kindergarten according to their state laws and birth dates, etc. Even though she'd already been in school, there was no budging them. They said she had to wait a year. It was pretty upsetting, to say the least. My husband got transferred back to California and she went right back into school.
My sister and I are both born in December and I know when we were little, there was no budging on getting us in school any earlier. We had to wait an extra year regardless of how ready we were. I was already reading.
I believe they're still pretty strict about it. At least from what I know.
Continue working with her at home. I think your idea to get her involved in other activities in conjunction with her current daycare is great.

Best wishes.

I can't answer your question as if you can enter Kindgarten early in your area, however I can give you my experience as a parent of a gift child who stared Kindergaten early. My son was always 2 to 3 years ahead of his class academiclly but behind emtionally. All of his teachers had problems with him because he was behind as far as maturity. Unfortunately our public school systems are not equipted to handle intellegent children. It took until 5th grade for the school to catch up to his academic level and high school for him to catch up in maturity. If I had it to do again I would have put him in a charter school where he would have been taught at his academic grade level but socialized at his age level.

However, girls mature faster then boys so you may not experience the same problem.

Sounds like you have already come to a wise conclusion. I to have a 4 year old that begs to go to school he is also smart in my opinion. My doctor also pointed out his extensive vocabulary at such a young age and also being my 3rd child is almost unheard off. He is beginning to read, counts to 100 and beyond, knows all colors and shapes. Can dress himself tie his shoes, knows his phone # and address. I too was considering having him tested. He misses the cut off by 30 days to go to kindergarten next year. After alot of consulting of friends of mine with older children. Alot recommended to wait. Due to the social aspect. There is far more to school than the academics. I have decided to challenge him in other ways and keep him busy with sports and his academics. Why push it they have a couple of decades of school right!? I want to savor every minute I can with them! One other thing I wanted to mention. I did begin preschool homeschooling with my 2nd and 3rd. I spent 3 years of tuition for my 1st and when it was time for my 2nd to go I had 2 little one's, one being a newborn. So I decided to try it just for the better functioning for our whole family! I could spit fire at the wasted $$$$ and time I spent on the 3 years of preschool for my oldest. He struggled from the start of kindergarten. Being my oldest (the practice child) as my mom lovingly calls it. I though I was doing what I was supposed to do to give him the best start! WRONG at least for me! Home school isn't for everyone, my kids have a lot of class room structure from park district and church. Not to mention 3 other siblings. Hope this helps! Mothering is a wonderful journey! Wish these little ones came with a manual! HA! What fun would that be right!
Merry Christmas!