My daughter just misses the age cut off for Kindergarten, so she started Pre-K this year. She was pretty excited at first (to be around the other kids, etc) but has told me that they do/did the same things as the day before (several times) when asked what she did in school, and is now asking to stay home every so often because school is "boring".
We had a long talk - so I could figure out whether she'd just heard someone else say that, whether she actually knows what boring means, etc - and I think she is genuinely bored. I got a look at the curriculum/expectations/plan for the school year and I think she's already doing all of the things the children are supposed to learn. I'm not saying she's not getting any benefit from going, I just want to know if there's anything anyone can suggest I do.
I don't want to stop teaching her things at home, but am also afraid she'll get too far ahead and will be bored throughout higher grades as well. Any suggestions?
Thanks to everyone who responded! I feel much better knowing that there are others in my boat! The school she attends does have a gifted program for the elementary aged kids, so that might be an option as she gets older. I talked with a parent of another child in the class that is having the same problem. I've been told that I can observe class any time I want to, so if she starts asking to stay home again, I'll just go observe to see what's really going on. Thanks again!
If I were you I would take her out. She doesn't need to go to kindergarten. Keep teaching her at home, and then put her into 1st grade. We as parents tend to push the academic part of school way too soon. Not realizing that before long they will have to be in school. Let her be a kid. She will be okay.
Amber this is tough when you have a smart kid and they are almost a year ahead of everyone. We had a similar problem in first grade. Fortunately our teacher let the kids bring workbooks- math and writing, etc to class and they were able to pull those out if they were finished with the current project. Because they are still in the first 3 weeks of school the teacher is probably trying to finish assessments. At this stage of the game, there can be a huge discrepancy in ability in pre K children. I would be tempted to move her to a different school for this year. (Or even teach her at home) By first grade the kids will be better matched- hopefully- and it won't be an issue.
Talk to the teacher. She'll give some good advice.
M
I had the same problem with my daughter when she started Pre-K, but more so when she started first grade. For Pre-K and Kinderdarten my daughter was in a private church school and the classes were very small and the teachers were able to cater a little more to the kids individual needs. In fact her Kindergarten teacher just completely let her work at her own pace and had her working on 2nd grade work by the end of the year. When she started first grade I had to put her into public school and was completely amazed at how far ahead she was of the other kids in her class. There were some kids that did not even know how to spell or write their own names, which to tell you the truth scared me. My daughter tested for and was put into the gifted and talented program and was put into a second grade class for reading, which did help with alot of her boredom. Her scores have carried over to a new school this year and she is in the gifted and talented program again this year and is also in an advanced class and is much happier and alot more challenged.
Whatever you do, do not ever stop teaching her at home. Keep encouraging her to learn as much as she can and go as far as she can. My daughter and I play card and board games to help with counting, I give her words to spell and she reads to me every night before she goes to bed and I believe it is because we started doing these things together before she started school that she has such a desire to learn.
Talk to the teacher about your concerns and see if she is able to to anything to help with the boredom, such as extra worksheets or reading. She may be seeing the same things that your daughter is telling you and be more than happy to give you any suggestions and take any suggestions that you may have. Best of luck...
G. F.
Amber, Pre-K in public school is a "readiness" class, it is really designed to assess children and get them ready for the classroom. This is most childrens first experience with anything organized. Unfortunately not all parents work with their children on even their last names much less the fundamentals of life. I would suggest you consider private school. It is not too late to look and you didn't say if you are at home or working. If you are working and paying for aftercare you can afford alot of private schools. My guy goes to Wright Christian. It is a 20year old school, they have prek thru 12th and an excellent reputation. This is our 4th year and we are so in love. The have small classes, loving longterm staff and incredible families.
If you can't go that route, Maybe A private kindergarten/preschool. If you are at home with her I would suggest Park Plaza Preschool, they attend 3 days a week from 9:30 to 2:30. which gives them more classroom time that a half day program at public school. It is very inexpensive and has been around about 30 years. Although neither of these is in bixby as you are quickly learning, nothing is far in Tulsa. Good luck sweetie. Feel free to email me off site about anything.
my daughter is in the same situation, I've always spoke w/ her teacher and let them know the situation. After testing(assessment) of my daughter, they realized she is advanced, so thankfully they give her additional, more advanced work. You might just try speaking with her teacher & let her know your concerns. A good teacher is not going to want a child sitting there bored all day long. Remember if you don't stand up for your child no one else will.
