My Son Starts Kindergarten This Fall

Hi i have 3 boys, my oldest is 8 and in the 2nd grade last year he did a test to see were he was in school because he had problems in reading but excellent in everything else. The test would tell what grade and what month in the school year he was at in each subject. i would talk to the principal and see if you can have him take a test to see what level he is in all subjects. because if he can spell words and read thats awesome.

The school will do testing before the school year starts, usually in August. They will also do a Kindergarten roundup in the spring. You can ask questions then. Remember that Kindergarten is not just about academics, it's also about social skills. If you are really worried about it now, you could call the school and talk to the principal, teacher, or counselor. I would not worry about being pushy. If you have a gifted child, you might as well get used to being pushy!

i believe that you have to just be that mom that you are and never take anything atude from a teacher they are there to teach not to make you feel like you have done something wrong with your child

I had a situation like this....I enrolled him in a private school and he is doing great. They are accelerated (christian school) over most public and private schools by 1-2 years and he is doing great. I think had I not done this he would have been acting out b/c of boredom.
Look around in your area and see what you find...
L.

Dear Kristina:
Your son sounds very bright. A good teacher will pick up on this and sometimes suggest things like letting him visit a higher grade level class and take a few selected classes along with them, or she might have some other suggestions for stimulation of his intellect. As far as your worries about his behavior, try not to stress out too much ahead of time. With my four boys, I found that the things I worried about, such as acting-up classroom behavior, never materialized. In fact, one of their preschool teachers remarked to me one day about how parents frequently warned her ahead of time about bad behavior to watch for, and it turned out that she had no classroom behavior problems with that child at all! Also, my youngest son, who unlike his three older brothers, was very difficult at home from ages 18 mos-4, threw screaming tantrums,and who yelled "I hate you!" when he was angry at me, took to preschool wonderfully. He behaved like an angel, and now in third grade, has always behaved like an angel at school. During our first parent-teacher conference, after I had remarked to his preschool teacher that I'd had some apprehension about how well my son would behave in school because of the awful tantrums he'd thrown at home, his teacher looked at me in amazement and said "I can't believe that Michael ever behaved that way!" (Maybe he was just bored at home)
J. H.

as a former kindergarten teacher, i would recomend letting the teacher find out on her own about his querks. most likely she will dismiss what you say(not that she doesn't belive you, but that she thinks it's your opinion). let her find out on her own. Most teachers (esp at this young age) have a daily way of letting their student's parents know how the child did. I would find out how she will be comunicating that to you and then empasise to your son that he needs to come home with the best behavior possible. that's the best thing a parent can do. he sounds very briliant and it will be very obvious to the teacher on the first day. good luck with school.

They will test him during the first few weeks and if he's not causing a lot of disruption then they will play into his strengths. You can request a meeting with his teachers before hand. I've determined that Kindergarten here at least is more about social skills than academics.

My 5 year old was a lot of trouble in class until November 15th. He is advanced academically but not socially skilled so they didn't think moving on to first grade was a good option. After lots of meetings and doctor's appointments he was diagnosed with ADHD and once the medication kicked in well his social skills have improved enough that they can really key into his strengths and we're having a blast with him and his higher reading skills.

When my daughter started school, I talk to her teacher right away. I told her teacher that I felt as though she needed more challanges. My daughter was put in a special reading class with 1st and 2nd graders. She was soooo bored before starting it, but now, she is just fine. The teacher has talked about having her skip 1st grade next year and go to 2nd. Just remember, you are paying their salary and it's your child. You can ask them to challange your son and they have to. If you ask and nothing is done, go to the principal and tell them what you are requesting, they should help if you can't get the teacher to do it for you. If you still have an issue, go to the school board. Good luck in your journey. Kindergarten is the best!

Your child is gifted. Both of my children are brilliant and I'm not bragging. :-) In both cases, I talked to the teacher when I met her telling her of their abilities. You can ask the teacher if they have an accelerated reading program. This is a program which tests the level of comprehension your child has and starts at the kindergarten level. Your child would read a book and answer questions to see how well he comprehends the story. If he does well, he would get a book at the next level and again be tested. Another thing that some schools have is a gifted program. I doubt that it would start in kindergarten but certainly as he gets older, he could be tested and placed in that program. It's an excellent program that would expand on his knowledge and abilities. Discuss this with the principal of the school. He/she would be able to tell you what programs are available. I'd be happy to answer any additional questions you might have.

I have a second grader and a kindergartener this year along with one who will go to kingergarten next year. Our teachers have always done the questionare. Your son does sound very smart. There are some children in my son's kindergarten class who couldn't spell their name before school started. Just keep working with him, but don't push too much. As for writting...I would call the school he will go to and ask what style of writting they teach. Yes, there are different styles. A lot of schools use D'nelian (SP?) it is a fancier looking print that helps them eventually transition to cursive. That way you don't teach him to write the opposite as they will at school. The Kindergarten teachers are all very loving and are used to what typical 5 year old boys act like. They will communicate with you daily...or atleast our teacher does. She has a calender in his folder and will put stickers for good days or write if he didn't behave. Best of luck with the transition. C.

Most schools do not test children until the 3rd grade for gifted and talented. Some schools may, but none of the schools that I have ever taught in have. I would talk to your child's teacher at Open House...make sure this is before school starts and tell her what your concerns are. As a teacher, this would be the most helpful. Not that I would expect him to do that, but it is nice to know and to let the teacher know that you are aware and you are prepared to support in any way. Now, just because he acts like that at home doesn't necessarily mean he will do that at school. Be optimistic...don't expect it! I was a class clown and I turned out okay!!! hee hee...good luck!

It does sound like you have a very smart 5 year old. I wouldn't spent too much time worrying about school now. My suggestion would be to wait until school starts and then follow up with his teacher on a regular (weekly) basis about how he acts in class. In my daughter's kindergarten class they only spend about 30 minutes on each activity, then they switch to another one. This seems to keep them busy moving from one thing to another, and keeps them from getting bored. I've also heard several times, and have had the same experience, that children will behave better for someone else than they will behave for you. But, in the meantime, don't worry and enjoy the time you have before he starts school. Best wishes,
J.

I agree with Julie(?). You'd be better off to either homeschool him or send him to private school. That is the only place where he will get enough individualized attention to really shine. Don't dismiss homeschool just because you are a single mother. Find out if someone you know is homeschooling their kids, and ask about maybe having them school your son. There is a family around here that since the mother has 13 kids of her own, she homeschools all of them until they are high school age, and has taken on a couple of her neighbor's kids that either were failing in school or were dismissed.
The books and stuff get expensive, but, it'll be worth it for the best educational experience for your child. Homeschooled and privately schooled children are generally more advanced in their studies than children who are two to three grades above them in a public school. My sister in law is a 14 year old Sophomore, and my husband was a 17 year old senior, and not because he had a late birthday (born in November) They were all about a year ahead, and had several hours of community college before they graduated high school. My hubby graduated college "Summa Cum Laude" in 2-1/2 years at a 4 year university. Homeschooling is an awesome opportunity, and private school is a pretty close second. If he's smart, make every opportunity to teach him everything you can...a public school is just going to bring him down.

BTW, as a side note, remember that kids are cruel. It is especially hard to be accepted when you are in the gifted program. I'm sure that there are wonderful things about it, but unless a child is SUPER dedicated, the teasing by the other kids could make it especially difficult for your child to want to continue the program. I'm sorry if I sound like a downer, I just remember how hard life can be if you aren't accepted by the other kids....

Hey kiddo, I am a mom of (My youngest is 18)and my oldest is 27. Your son sounds like he is a very smart 5 yr old!!! He will probably excell in class! Don`t worry about talking to the teacher! She/He will be thrilled that your son knows so much..... Always be upfront and very supportive. Not a lot of kids know that much when they first start.... especially beginning Kindergarten.

I am a middle school teacher, but have taught elementary and have a bright 4 year old myself. My best advice to you is to be up front with the teacher, but in a positive way. I love communicating with parents and knowing things in the beginning. It would be great to give your son's teacher a heads up, and that way he/she can be ready for it. Then they can observe and see if your child needs to have enrichment opportunities or qualifies for the gifted program. Being a teacher, the best thing you can do is be positive and supportive to the teacher. That makes a much better experience for your son and he/she will not hesitate to help out.

I hope this helps!

Kristina, I'd just tell her what you have written here. But, yes, like my Grand-Daughter, they may need to be tested to see that they won't be bored in Kindergarten

Have you thought about getting you son tested to see if he is exceptionally bright and would benefit from a special class for the excerated learner? I don't how early they offer those classes in school. I just have a two-year old who is not even thinking about school yet. Every child has their strong points we just need to find them and let the child grow from there.

Some of the school districts have advanced Kindergarten now, for exceptional students. I would check with your son's school to find out what programs they have. If you speak with them on your sons abilities they may test him when he takes the Pre-K exam. If there is no advanced kindergarten I would just make sure you let the teacher know that he may get bored easily and she can think of ideas to keep him involved and learning at the same time. Teachers love when parents are involved, because so many parents are not, the teacher will appreciate you coming to her first and helping her with what your child needs.

Hi Kristina,
I am not sure exactly where you live, but here I do know that the teachers want to know how they do and will take everything into consideration. They try really hard, not to let the kids get bored. Somethings that Kindergarten maybe a little boring to him, but they make it interesting for them. My son has had a hard time this year. He is in Kindergarten. He was in pre-school for 3 years because of his birthday and adjusting from one to the other was hard on him, but they do everything in they can to keep him motivate to do the work. If the work is really too easy for him, you can always do different things at home, that way he does not get bored. But I would be straight foward with the teacher and let her know where and how you stand on the situation and what your fear is. Not sure I have answered your question. If you need anything dont hestitate to ask, I can let you know what they do at my sons school.
L.

As a "Single Mother of a very smart 5 year old" I would suggest that you look into having your child tested for whatever gifted program your school district has available. I know that in the SLPS Magnet Program we have "Talented and Gifted" schools as well as gifted pull-outs in most of the grade schools. I just read that someone said most schools don't test for gifted and talented until third grade. My brother and I both started gifted and talented programs in first grade. More recently many of my friends children were tested (IQ test) and accepted to Kenard a talented and gifted grade school(pre-K through 6)in the SLPS Magnet system. My best friends daughter tested into the gifted school, but they decided on an International Studies school, started kindergarten but when that curriculum was not enough they bumped her up as well as having her stay in the first grade gifted and talented pull out.

In addition, while your child may get bored with school part of going to kindergarten and even preschool is to learn to behave yourself in class whether you are bored or not. It's something that I think a lot of kindergarteners have trouble with in the beginning. Especially since the teacher has to establish that there are a lot of new rules that must be followed. But, since he is so exceptional I'm sure he won't have a problem with that.

Wow! Your son does sound very smart.
When the new school year comes around, most schools have a meet the teacher night. At that time his teacher will most likely have a questionaire for you to fill out about your son. His basic likes and dislikes. His strengths and his weaknesses. And anything else special about your son that you think will be beneficial for him/her to know.
Keep up the good work and keep challenging him. He just might make you a lot of money one day. (LOL)
M.

Sounds like your child may very well be ahead. My personal suggestion is homeschooling. It's the only way to keep a gifted child from getting bored (or frustrated if you try skipping him a grade)...

However, with being a single mom this could be more difficult. If it's your mom or a relative or a one-on-one person who watches him, you could see if they'd be interested in doing it with him. However, those are usually more expensive (unless they're a relative)...

You can check with the school about getting him a placement test and maybe starting him in first grade instead of kindergarten... But, then he's going to be with a bunch of kids who are older than he is...

There are also gifted programs at a lot of schools that help keep smart kids challenged. You can look into seeing if your school has one...

Otherwise, it'll be up to you to keep him challenged. Give him skill-appropriate books when he comes home (or make sure his after-school babysitter gives them to him). Come up with fun math games to keep him challenged, etc.

Mh son is very articulate. He is also very bright. He is seven years old and he is the number one reader in his class. He makes a 100% on all of his spelling tests and we hardly have to study for them. He however rushes through his work and doesn't always do it in his neatest writing then the teacher takes off for it. My son asks alot of questions also and learned real quickly not to ask 20 questions a day and not to interupt the teacher. He still has a hard time talking to other kids around him and making them laugh during quiet time the teacher said. She has to give him extra work to keep him busy which is fine by me. He also reads his library books when he is finished with his work. When my son was in Kindergarten they said that he was very bright but that emotionally he was not ready for first grade. He didn't want to sit still and do his work. He loved the math and the spelling and but didn't much care for all the writing. We chose to put our son into transitional first. It worked out great for him. He is in the first grade this year and is doing really well except for the rushing through his work. We had to sit down with him and explain that there is so much more to learning and you need to do your best work. His response was, "Well, its just to easy." He is doing better now though according to his last progress report. He loves to read. He loves reading about dinosaurs and loves reading books about space. He can read at almost a fourth grade level.