Need Help Making Sure My Intelligent Daugher Doesn't Slip Through the Cracks

Why not see if she can move into first grade instead of kindergarden? One of my son's friends has done this, he was completely ready and it has been a good choice for them. From my experience, kindergarden is a game of trying to catch the children up who are not quite prepared, so the first semester was more social for my son, and the second half of the year he has learned more. If she can't completely move up, then maybe she could do reading and math with the first grade class, and the rest of the day in the kindergarden class.

The best way to ensure your daughter doesn't slip through the cracks is to volunteer to come in as often as possible and work with the kids. Teachers can only do so much, they rely heavily on parents and other volunteers for all the extras. My daughter excels in math and she along with several other students from the 3 K classes at her school are in a math group. Myself and 1 other mother go in once a week (so 2 times total) and do extra math activities with those kids to keep their knowledge going. Also, keep her busy at home, get her computer games and workbooks that she can work on to keep her going. And remember that Kindergarten is a lot about getting into routines and social skills as well. They have to learn how to be in that school environment. My daughter went to an excellent daycare/preschool, but it was still different being at regular school than there.

in my experience, most teachers are delighted with children who are eager and prepared to learn. our teachers have always sought new ways to challenge our children who are ready for it.

Hi. I would check into special needs programs at the school. I was in a program my school called gifted starting when I was in grade school. I imagine most schools would be the same but they take kids even in kidergarten after passing a test showing they have the qualifying above average intellect. It worked great for me. In grade school I finished my work before most other kids, so my best friend(she was in it too) and I would go to the gifted room and do stuff. The teacher we had really encouraged independent work and development. We could find any topic we wanted to learn about and start learning. She would do fun stuff too so it was all about work and learning all the time. She knew we needed breaks too.
So just an idea that would help. I think it's important to keep them actively involved, otherwise I think that's how they become bored and uninterested in school.

My son was the same way. He enjoyed kindergarden even though he didn't learn anything. He did have behavior issues, but he is a very active child. In first grade, I had my son tested for enrichment, and that helped. Then I asked for him to take the test to skip 2nd grade. He passed and is so excited that he is in 3rd grade this year. His words were that "he could finally learn something." He has done very well (straight A's) and doesn't have any more behavior isssues. You need to keep in contact with your teacher, and don't be afraid to talk to the coucilor or the school; they like parents who actually care. As for kindergarden, don't expect the teacher to give more challanging work for your daughter, you'll have to continue at her level at home. Kindergarden is fun enough that I don't think she'll dislike it, but if you want her challanged, it'll be at home. It sounds like you are on the right track. She won't slip through the cracks if you don't let her. Keep up the good work!

As a former elementary teacher and now parent of a 4 year old, I can understand your concern. I can tell you though how frustrated I was when I taught 2nd/3rd graders and areas such as problem solving, critical thinking, and fine motor skills were always a concern, even in the brightest of kids. I'd ask the teacher what areas she could still work on to encourage her. Fine motor skills, storytelling, building things (creativity), etc. Although they seem small to us, it is a very difficult concept to teach to kids later on in life.
Best of luck!

You might consider sending her to a Montessori school. The kids work at their own pace and when they're ready for the next step they just take it. Everybody is at different levels educationally in the classroom.

Maybe you should consider homeschooling :)

I have the same feelings about my son. He will be 5 in April and can read, write and is wanting to learn math. You want them to excel but at the same time I don't want him to be bored in Kindergarten. If you get any good advice, let me know, please!!!!!

Joplin does have an enrichment program for Kindergarten. They test them thru the first semester and then the Gifted Program starts in January, if I understand correctly. I have my son signed up for testing this fall. You can contact the gifted center for more info if you think this is something your daughter might enjoy.

My daughter is in the same boat. We sat down with the pricinple of her school and had a long talk about what she recommended. Blue Valley Schools offer all day kindergarten (though it is fee based) and with that they are able to move kids around to go work with the special ed teachers (librarian, counselors, computer lab, ect.) or the 1st and 2nd graders for subjects they excel in.

Full day is also used for kids who may need more help and need to take extra time to take it all in.

But, in our children's case it allows the flexibility for the kids to be able to move up when they are ready as opposed to rushing through the day to fit all of the same subjects in with half the time to do it. They also spend more time on music, PE and foreign languages (Spanish and French). It's a full day, but they are going to have to do that in 1st grade anyway. Mine refuses to take naps and goes and goes wanting more and more to do, so I think all day will be great for her!

I'm very excited about her school next year. I hope you are able to keep her excited about learning!

And as for homeschooling - don't do it! It is a huge part of what developes people and you miss everything that most people take for granted as rights of passage. I know, because I missed them all being homeschooled.

L. I am sure that your daughter won't be the only one whos intelligece level is as high as it is. If she is more advanced than the other children maybe she can take some extra classes with older children.

Depending on what school district your child is in, they have advanced classes to keep them involved. Also you can check with the school district they might let her test in early to certain classes.

Make sure you encourage her and keep things fun at home. Whatever you have done in the past is working so just keep up the good work. Keep challenging her at home.

IDEA...its a term used in special education to help a child with an IEP (individualized education program) typically schools lean toward the behind children but this also applies to children who are advanced as well i would make an appointment with the school counselor and as if your child can be tested for gifted classes she will have to be 30% above other children her age in her grade nationwide so there is lots of pull if this is the case she can possibly be promoted to the next grade up or have a diffrent track to go on to maintain what she has already learned.

keep us posted
S.