Kindergarten Troubles

I don't know if this has a name or not, but my brother and son both have this problem. My brother is 30 years old and still can only write barely legible. My son is 14 and sometimes you can read what he writes, but most of the time not. We just do the best we can, and home school using the ABEKA system. My brother went to years of occupational therapy to no avail. I don't know of anything that can help, if you find something let me know.

Sorry to be so gloomy, but I do not have an answer

Don't worry about him taking oral exams in college! I think that was completely wrong for the teacher to say something like that to you. He has been in school for a month or so now right? Is he bored? Sometime smart kids get bored and start doing poorly in school. If he picks up on things quickly he may get bored having to repeat them on paper. Try to find fun new ways to work on his written work at home.

I assume that in Kindergarten he is not writing papers, mainly working on letters and numbers? Writing simple words, drawing shapes, etc. Try smearing shaving cream or whipped cream on your kitchen cabinet or table (a surface it will not ruin). And have him try his written assignments by tracing them in the shaving cream. It is more fun this way!

You can have him write with playdough, make snakes and have him turn them into letters and shapes.

Make sugar cookies in different shapes and decorate them or write on them with icing.

If he can do things in these fun ways, you know he does not have a major problem, he just needs a more creative outlet.

I'm not sure I completely understand what he's having trouble with, but I think we all have to step back and look at what we're asking kids to do these days. My child's kindergarten teacher explained to all of us that not every child "gets it" right when we expect them to. For some kids, they lag a little, then one day, things just "click" and they take off with their learning. It may not be that he can't do what they're asking him to do, maybe he just doesn't see the point of doing it. Maybe he thinks the paper work is boring and he's just not interested. There is so much going on in kindergarten that for kids to be categorized as smart/not smart or as troubled learners at this young age is truely unfortunate. These labels can stick with kids and turn those that will be perfectly good students into kids with difficulties -- meaning we label them a problem child, so they become a problem child.

If you're truely worried, I'd talk to the pediatrician and/or maybe see someone at a Sylvan learning center or something similar. Good luck!

(I think the little guy just needs some encouragement and time)

I hear you! I am a single Mom on dialysis. I use PD and dialyze at home. What I'm gonna tell you is not going to be easy to hear, but hear me out anyway. One of the problems we have as parents is that we think our children are smart because they appear to be quick learners at home. That often does not translate into school, which requires more discipline and ability to focus in order to learn. Perhaps your son has ADD or ADHD, or some other learning disability that causes him frustration. It was a hard pill for me to swallow, but my, now 13 year old, was exactly like your son. He was a month premature and a quick learner at home. His wittiness at home did not translate into school. He would have had some difficult periods had I not had him tested for either of these conditions when he was 4. My son is ADHD. We have managed it without any meds thru his diet and he takes Focus Complex, a natural herbal supplement, and Fish Oil. I homeschooled him for two years (6th/7th grade). He returned to a public school charter program this year. He is doing extremely well, adjusting to his new environment. Your son is going to need a lot of individual attention that can only come from you. There are a number of free websites that you can access. I'm attaching an entire list and these will lead you to more, but you are going to have to become his primary teacher. The Abeka program is wonderful and highly rated, so he's receiving the best education possible, but he needs additional work at home; this is up to you. I wish you much luck and am available if you want to have further discussions. The websites are as follows:

www.math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org/free_reading_websi...
www.learningpage.com
www.activities-for-kide.net/free_writing
Specifically for elementary:
www.yourdictionary.com/…/websites-for-Elementary-writing-...
www.education.com
www.netrover.com : This is a great site for kids-elementary
www.eduscape.com
http://writingfix.com
http://www.adlit.org
www.theeasyessay.com
www.creativewritingprompts.com
www.teachers.ash.org.au/jeather/writingfun/writingfun.html
Free Reading sites that have books that can be read online:
www.librivox.org
dailylit.com
This site has everything; I love it!
http://www.pppst.com/index.html

GOOD LUCK!

Have you tried sending your son to a child development specialist or any other Dr that specializes in a childs mental/cognitive development?

Hey M.,

Sorry this is so late. Have you had your son's eyes checked? I have a son who just got glasses, and it's made a big difference in many different areas.
Also, if you have the time and money, you might order some of the Abeka curriculum online and "practice" at home with him. I homeschool my kids with Abeka, one is 4 and one is 5, and they really enjoy it! Good luck!

It's still early in the school year, I would give him some time to settle into the program. Also, I don't believe the teacher should be scaring you and guessing about a possible long-term learning disability. I know it's not public school where you can ask to have him tested, but perhaps you could do it on your own at a private facility. The sooner problems are discovered, the sooner you can give him a curriculum that is better suited to his personal needs, if that is the case. But I would imagine that he is just immature for his age. I think this is very common for boys in kindergarten. They are smart as can be, but they don't apply that to the classroom. It may give you peace of mind to have a professional say he's a-okay.

My 27wk preemie just turned 6 last week and is struggling in kindergarten so I can definitely relate! It's not that he doesn't know the material or can't do the work as much as he's not used to doing it in a classroom setting with people he doesn't know very well. School just started! I'm sure in 9mo things will look much differently. You can always try to catch up during the summer if he's still behind his peers. GL!!!

a little off topic but does he go to UCA?(Union Christian Academy) K-5 My son starts there in January and I am new to the town, just wanted an opinion.

Thank you:)

Ok, I think that you just need to give him some time to adjust to the schedule of school. Did he go to preschool? If not, then you just need to give him some time. He will have to get used to the concept of having to do some things on his own. He will have to get used to not being able to do whatever he wants when he wants to do it. He is on a different schedule now. He has to get adjusted to that. My nephew had this same problem and my sister did have to hold him back a year, but he is doing so good now. He was just not "ready" for all the change that comes with kindergarden. He was a little behind socially and developmentally. In a year or so, if your son is still having this problem, then yes be a little worried, but don't overreact. There are still many ways for him to learn.

Hi M.! I have twins that were born 3 1/2 months early, so I can definitely sympathize. While my son is severely disabled from the early birth, his twin sister was lucky enough to escape a lot of the same disabilities.
However, she has had trouble in school as well -- a lot of it (we think) is due to the Grade I head bleed. She's a smart girl but cannot focus in class. She gets very distracted and often too much info at once sort of paralyzes her into inaction. She's 14 and her performance was so bad in school (of course, her school doesn't really bother to TEACH, they just give them tons of paperwork so they can pass the tests that grant the school more money), so we started homeschooling her last year (7th grade) and so far it's been very successful!

Also we put her in "transitional" first grade, or "pre-first", or whatever they call it now, after kindergarten. It helps, especially when kids suffer just a little social/developmental delay. Feel free to email me if you want to. :)

His "problems" may be due to immaturity. A lot of kids go through this-mine included. I even ended up having to have my daughter held back in first grade because of it. Now she's flying high! Patience, Mom, is the key. Also try working with him at home. There are numerous games that you can play with him that will help encourage and improve his writing skills. Just keep in mind that it is all so new to him.

I think I would definitely give him some more time to adjust to being in school too. Some boys just need to mature a little more before they will perform like the other kids. Remember, he was born 3 months early, so he may be 3 months behind in his ability to do some things. If you are truly concerned, you should be able to have him tested (through probably the public school system) to find out if he has any learning disabilities. You should be able to call the local school district and talk to someone about your testing concerns. Talk to your pediatrician too. It's true, some learning disabilities require help in college...I have a doctorate degree and 3 people in my class had to take their exams separately due to learning disabilities...they all graduated with their doctorates!

I like what Cheryl M said. Have you considered homeschooling him? It sounds like he may just need a little more one on one help. We have 9 chidren who we have always homeschooled. Children learn differently and a classroom setting is usually geared toward one style of learning. In your daily conversation, try to get him to answer you in complete sentences. Encourage him with open ended questions to help him verbalize his thoughts. Fine motor skills almost always follow verbal communication ablilities. If he answers incompletely, ask him, "what do you mean by such and such?" Love him, hug him and give him to to grow up, boys usually take longer to mature than girls.

I wouldn't worry that he will have to take oral exams in college just yet. That is a little premature.

I would advise you to find a book titled "The Minds of Boys" by Michael Gurian. Also, get a copy of a book called "Better Late Than Early" by the Moore's who are both doctors. You can find both on Amazon used. Read up and don't worry too much.

It is a little early in the year for you to be getting concerned. I know that ABEKA is an advanced curriculum. Some schools use it as written and I found it to be a little demanding for some personalities. I remember thinking I was sending my child to college in K3 because the school he was at was one of those that placed the high demands on my child. Historically my kids struggle with school every year until about November and then something clicks and they do fine. Take his schooling one year at a time and try to do things that will make him fall in love with learning.

I'm not really clear on what type of problem your son has. If he is unable to write clearly, then he might have fine motor skill problem. Two of my 4 children have this (their father has the same problem). They mostly print when they need to write things and their longhand is very messy. I would suggest you work with him at home on fun things like art project involving drawing, painting and cutting. If he likes what he is doing, participation in these activities will go a lot smoother. It just takes practice, He will always have the problem but it will get better. My kids are now adults and do fine. With computers they mostly type everything anyway.

However, if he has problems understanding directions and answering the questions, then perhaps he has a language learning disability. My youngest son has this. The process of turning this around takes a lot of time and patience. I had to work with his teachers and do a lot of home tutoring. He is very smart but was unable to understand written or verbal communication nor was he able to communicate either verbally or written, what he was thinking. He could read beautifully but didn't get the meaning of the sentences. He is currently attending college with a major in computer forensics, so he did overcome it.

It sounds like he is just a typical boy to me. They tend to mature slower than girls, and since he was premature it doesn't help. My 7 year old had some maturity issues, and is repeating the first grade. So far this year is a breeze for him, and his behavior and attention span are much improved.

Work with him at home and see how he is doing at the end of the year. Repeating kindergaten is not the end of the world and would give him the chance to mature.

If the problem is writing then buy a writing tablet for kindergarten and fist grade, and help him at home. If he can practice writing at home it will help that fine motor skill improve.

It could be him having to adjust to structure. I have twins in Kindergarten & They are quick learners, but when it comes to a structured environment, it's a little different for them. They don't have freedom to get up & down out of their seat & that alone is frustrating to a child who has had freedom to run jump ^ play all day long at home, apposed to sitting at a desk all day. I DO think they outgrow it. Because they eventually learn structure. Right now they are bring made to sit most of the day & then expected to perform on paper things they've never had to consider as work before. My girls get tired of coloring cutting & glueing, what was once fun at home is no longer fun, it is work, it is learning & it requires structure! They love school but they are having to learn structure & listening skills & "how to' do what they are required to do. I have one that jumps out of her seat with a question for the teacher every five minutes because she doesnt understand what to do. The teacher doesn't allow this, therefore my daughter will have to sit pay attention & just do the best she can & she is getting better with it.
Good Luck & I must add, I am totally against drugs for a child unless it is ABSOLUTELY the last resort. To me children express themselves & bouncing off the walls is part of it. Structure is a learned thing & it does not come naturally, I would give you son some time & see if he falls in there. I also would give him things to do at home as homework similar to what the teacher gives in school. Help him learn how to perform on paper.

My daughter is in first grade this year, and I was talking to her teacher. From what I have heard her say about some boys in her class and from some girlfriends of mine that have boys, I think this is normal, especially since he was premature. You may not want to keep him back in kindergarten, but sometimes it can be the best thing for the child. They get ahead and are better of in the long run, to have that extra time to mature. It sounds like he is very bright, and maybe after getting a little extra help over the rest of this year, you will have a better idea wether or not he should stay back by then. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. I might be able to help. I work from home, inorder to stay at home with my 3 children. I make a great weekly paycheck, with No Selling, No Inventory and absolutely NO RISK. It is working with an amazing company that provides a great opportunity for moms to make real money from home. It has changed my life. If you are interested in more information you can email me at ____@____.com moms helping moms work from home