We have 2 boys one is 4 years old, he will turn 5 the end of January. The other is 6 years old. The younger attended preschool last year, and his older brother attended Kindergarten. Unfortunately the school closed (private school). We found another private school for our older son, and figured the younger one could stay home with mom, get together with friends or find another preschool until he starts kindergarten. Then the school told us they have a jr. kindergarten that our 4 year old could attend. What I know now, that I obviously didn't know then is that Jr. Kindergarten is a big difference from preschool. Anyway, I think my 4 year old is in way over his head, when we talk to him about leaving that class or going to a different school he gets really upset and says he doesn't want to leave. Problem is that when he is in class he get very frustrated with the learning tasks and just wants to play. I know now he should be in a preschool not jr kindergarten. Do I upset him right now and pull him out of the school and find something else (that may make him happier)? Or leave him in and just keep working with him and the teacher as much as possible? So far the school has been very understanding and helpful, just wonder how long that will last... Any of you been through this or something similar? Can you share your story? Thanks so much!
I'm just curious about what the differences are between preschool and jr kinder There must still be play time. Is it half day?
I agree with the suggestion about giving him until winter to adjust. But .... as far as the school goes, I would find out how old most of the children are in the jr kinder and the kinder. I know that some schools push to have kinders with mostly 6 year olds in it. I understand that for some children it is better to wait a year, but .... if the standard is set by a school that most kinders are 6 already, then the standards are higher and not those of a typical kinder. It might sound good, but as a high school teacher, I don't like hearing about full classes of kids a full year older than the "normal" age, meaning they are 18 as a junior - that is trouble in a high school. Hopefully this is not the case where you are and it will just take a few months to adjust, but I wanted you to be aware.
Hello. SOunds like our maternal instinct is right on. Get him out of the class if it is too much. I am a teacher and have many kindergarten teacher friends. What we have seen is that with most boys, they are better off waiting until the following year if they have late in the year bdays(Sept, oct, nov etc). if your son is not five by the time he starts kindergarten it is typically better to keep them out until the following year. this also applies to girls but moreso for boys and the way they develop. my son is an oct bday and i am already planning on keeping him out until he is five turning 6.
Don't worry...he will be fine in fact probably more confident and successful and there is nothing wrong with a stong pre k or preschool for one more year!
It sounds like you have done well so far in communicating with the school. Talk to them a little more about whether they think your son is capable of the work level right now and just not ready to be in such a structured environment, or if they really think that the type of work is too advanced for him.
If it's the former, you can talk to your son about expectations and what he needs to do if he really wants to stay in the school. Maybe give him until the winter break to try to change is behavior and work harder, or else put him in a standard preschool for the second half of the year. If the teachers feel that the work is actually too difficult, I'd pull him out immediately.
That's just my thought and opinion - I'm not a teacher and my son is only two so we haven't been through preschool yet.
Good luck. Either way, your son will be ok and ready for kindergarten next year when he's 5 1/2.
K. : )
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