kindergarten

[Angelbear3]

My son starts kindergarten on the 13th of this month. He's my only child so maybe I'm just being overly worried or whatever. Anyway, the school sent me a packet today telling me all the things he was going to be able to do by the end of the year... all broken down into what he'd learn each nine weeks... I may be biased, but I have a very smart little boy... this is what he's going to learn in kindergarten this year:

1st 9 weeks: his address and phone number

2nd 9 weeks: nothing

3rd 9 weeks: nothing

4th 9 weeks: telling time to the half hour, value of coins


He's going to be bored!!! He already knows everything and then some!! They even sent a list of words that he has to be able to read by the end of the year... I called him to look at the paper and he read every one... he's been reading for a year now... I'm afraid that him being bored in school is going to cause him to act out or whatever... I thought he'd be learning a lot more than what is on that paper... he learned all that stuff last year just playing school with me.

[Ghetto_Gurl]

when i started kindergarten i knew how to read, my teacher saw that i was bored at times so she let me read the class stories. maybe talk to your sons teacher about doing something like that so he wont be so bored and he will feel important.

[Wimzik]

I was worried about the same thing last year with my daughter, but she wasn't bored at all, the teacher would even let her do some more advanced work sometimes. She also enjoyed helping the other kids who had a little trouble. I'm sure the teacher will keep him busy. :)

[jonette5]

Our school has a "gifted" program. The child has to be tested to qualify, if they do then one day a week they go to an advanced class. I did not learn about this till my daughter was in the 2nd grd. she was so bored in school, she was reading at 3 yrs old and could do second grade work in kindergarten, luckily her teacher saw this and kept her busy helping other kids. She wants to go to college now to be kindergarten teacher, guess cuz she was teaching it while she was in it LOL! I got her in the program and she stayed in it till the 8th grd. then she said even that class was boring. When she got to high school she was able to take advanced classes so that helped (as well as all the extra activities). She will be a senior this year and will be taking 3 college classes instead of high school classes. They count for high school credit as well as college!
If your school does not have this program, maybe he could test out and go to 1st grade instead.

Good luck, I know it is hard for smarter kids to sit through stuff they already know!

[justinenycole26]

My kids were the same way, especially the youngest since the oldest taught hereverything she knew~ and they are only 15 months apart. A good teacher will recognize that he is a little more advanced than average and keep him busy with "extras" so he does not get bored. Boredom leads to mischief! Trust me! LOL It would be a good idea to express these concerns to the teacher before he starts school so she will know in advance what she is dealing with.

Jonette, I would not recommend skipping Kindergarten. There are some valuable social skills being learned there. Most schools will not even consider that, no matter how smart the child is.

[Carlie]

I wouldn't skip Kindergarten either.. it's more of a tool to get children used to the school enviroment and teaches kids how to deal with social issues that school brings up. There are tons of activities, and more than likely your child, even though they can read, will not be bored.

[jonette5]

Well I just thought maybe the boy had been in a daycare center or pre-school and was used to being around other kids and sitting still. If he has been at home than I agree he needs Kindergarten for the social skills.

[Angelbear3]

Yes, my son definately needs kindergarten for the social skills. Unfortunately he's an only and up until this past summer has never been around other kids. I thought about trying to get him to skip ahead but his father doesn't want that anyway. I'm going to set up a meeting with his teacher to talk about this.

When he kept learning all this stuff on his own I wasn't too worried about it because I figured he would be learning more in kindergarten. When I was in kindergarten (I went half day) I learned to count to 100... he is going to be going ALL day and is only going to learn to count to 20..... I mean, really... he knew how to count to 20 at one year old from watching sesame street. I really thought that a school in Florida would be more advanced than the one I went to 21 years ago, especially since it's an all day kindergarten.

My main worry is that they are going to think he has ADD or something and try to put him on ritalin.... I've always heard that the parent has no choice in the matter if a dr decides the child needs ritalin... that if I didn't give it to him I would be charged with neglect.

[Kelsey1224]

My daughter was the same way. She went to a private school and I learned that she was being kept in during morning recess. When I approached the teacher, she explained that Lisa and two other children were far ahead of the other children in reading. The teacher was spending extra time with those three so she could specialize some of their learning.

A good teacher will recognize your little genius.

[zitra]

The things you mentions (at least the name/address/phone number, and some of the spelling/reading for thoe that were ready are things my kids did in pre-k...in kindergarten they started simple math, some spelling, and there were lots of daily activities ..they had something called stations..they would vist a differnt table (total of 6 tables) by groups of 6. Parents helped man the tables, and there were differnt activities at each..some included math, cuting and gluing, spelling, etc.

Since your child knows all of the things that they are planning on teaching him in kindergarten, maybe you could have him tested (not usre if you or the school have to pay for it), to see if he could be moved up a grade. My son was not quite as advanced as Raven's, but was really boared as well, would get frusteradted waiting for other kids, to catch up to his level when they were doign group work, and hated haivng to wait til everyone was done, to move on to somethign else. If was reading at 6th grade level in 3rd. grade...

They give him extra work, that he asks for over christmas and summer break, and he makes up math problems to do...

Hopefully you can find somethign so your son won't feel so boared at school...in our school they will take the more advanced students for an hour every other day, to another class, and have them do problem solving, and advanced math, with other kids in the school who are at the same level. Maybe your school offers something liek that?

[CAMSmama]

:) Hi,
Just cause the teacher/school may think he needs ritalin, that doesn't mean your doc will agree, especially if you have had the same doc for a while. Both you and the doc know your little one better than they do. When my son's school reccomended ritalin, I took him to the doc and told him I didn't think he needed it and he agreed with me and wrote letter to the teacher basically telling her to stuff it, just cause she couldn't do her job it didn't mean my son needed ritalin.(of course, this teacher had also reccomended 7 other kids in the class be put on it also:rolleyes: )

[zitra]

Originally posted by Angelbear3
Yes, my son definately needs kindergarten for the social skills. Unfortunately he's an only and up until this past summer has never been around other kids. I thought about trying to get him to skip ahead but his father doesn't want that anyway. I'm going to set up a meeting with his teacher to talk about this.

When he kept learning all this stuff on his own I wasn't too worried about it because I figured he would be learning more in kindergarten. When I was in kindergarten (I went half day) I learned to count to 100... he is going to be going ALL day and is only going to learn to count to 20..... I mean, really... he knew how to count to 20 at one year old from watching sesame street. I really thought that a school in Florida would be more advanced than the one I went to 21 years ago, especially since it's an all day kindergarten.

My main worry is that they are going to think he has ADD or something and try to put him on ritalin.... I've always heard that the parent has no choice in the matter if a dr decides the child needs ritalin... that if I didn't give it to him I would be charged with neglect.

That is totally wrong...the parent is the ONLY one who has a choice on wither their child is medicated. My son doe shave adhd...the school 1st. has to ask permission to test your child for ADHD/ADD, then they give you the results, and tell you what they think, and tell you that it is up to you what to do with this information. After I took my son to the Dr. after hsi diganoses, and she confirimed it, I was again told, it was up to me wether or not he he was to be medicated. No one can make you medicated your child..also my son did the ritalin thing..made it worse, takes adderall now....but if I decided to quit tomorrow (which I wouldn't do), even if he started having problems in school, neither the school, or the Dr. could force me to make my son take it again if I did not want him too.

[squirt]

Even though your child is advanced in learning skills, he still needs kindergarden for his social skills, if he doesn't learn anything else in kindergarden he will learn how to associate with other children, especially if the school is racailly mixed. Oh no you don't want him to skip kindergarden, he'll be so busy meeting new friends, teachers and such. He'll be excited and telling you all about his new friend 'Ben,Fred,Joan,Beth' etc. Ask him what he did during his time in class. Usually kindergarden is only for about 3 or 4 hours anyhow. Let him enjoy his first time away from mommy and daddy, he needs this time to 'grow up' just a little bit. Have a good day

[zitra]

Originally posted by squirt
Usually kindergarden is only for about 3 or 4 hours anyhow. Let him enjoy his first time away from mommy and daddy, he needs this time to 'grow up' just a little bit. Have a good day

I thought the OP said that kindergarten for her son will be all day...that is how it is where i live..pre-k is half day..kindergraten is from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. here.

[GeThang]

I actually remember Kindergarten. Some may think I am full of it, but heck, I have memories from when I was three. When I was three, my mom taught me how to tie my shoe, and when I was four she taught me to read. Somewhere in between, she taught me my shapes, counting, etc. I was the only child until December of my Kindergarten year, but before my brother was born, my mom spent a lot of time teaching me things. I remember doing things faster than a lot of the other kids and feeling like a "big girl" because I felt smart. He could be bored, yet, he could be proud that he knows so much. I agree with squirt that he will need it for the social skills as well :)

[1busymomma]

Kindergarten is half days. My daughter will be in preschool longer hours than my son will be in kindergarten this year lol.

I would not really worry about him being that bored in kindergarten. For the most part their learning involves crafts of some sort or songs etc....It's like a glorified day camp w/learning involved.

I also would not really go by what's on that peice of paper, it's a lot more in depth than that...meaning they should be able to count to ten by the end of that quarter, but it will probably be more like 100.

[schsa]

He needs the social skills more than the learning at this point. If he's smart the teacher will recognize it and when the time comes s/he will be sure that he is kept busy with things to do. But social skills are so important for a young child. Just being ahead as far as learning goes won't compensate for his ability to get along with others.

Give him a chance. If he's really that bright, the schools will move him along as they feel he is ready. No point in overwhelming him at such a young age. I'd give anything to be as carefree as I was in kindergarten.

[MommyG3]

My two children were the same way. They did just fine. Both took the "gifted" test in the first grade, but didn't make it. They were extremely close. Keep him focused on learning and how much fun he has at school during the day and he will be just fine. He can always read at a higher level when he gets home. ;)

[Angelbear3]

well i'm relieved that him being medicated is my choice, that is what i was most concerned about. his kindergarten is going to be all day... hopefully, it goes as well as we all hope. thanks everyone for putting my mind at ease

[zitra]

Originally posted by 1busymomma
Kindergarten is half days. My daughter will be in preschool longer hours than my son will be in kindergarten this year lol.

I would not really worry about him being that bored in kindergarten. For the most part their learning involves crafts of some sort or songs etc....It's like a glorified day camp w/learning involved.

I also would not really go by what's on that peice of paper, it's a lot more in depth than that...meaning they should be able to count to ten by the end of that quarter, but it will probably be more like 100.

Yes, but not all kindergarten is half days. It is full days where I live, and the OP said her son will be goig nt ofull day kindergarten. What you described as Kindergarten in your area, is what they do in pre-k here..and what i used to do in 1st. grade at my gradeschool they do in kindergarten where I live.

[newwiccan]

Originally posted by Angelbear3
Yes, my son definately needs kindergarten for the social skills. Unfortunately he's an only and up until this past summer has never been around other kids. I thought about trying to get him to skip ahead but his father doesn't want that anyway. I'm going to set up a meeting with his teacher to talk about this.

When he kept learning all this stuff on his own I wasn't too worried about it because I figured he would be learning more in kindergarten. When I was in kindergarten (I went half day) I learned to count to 100... he is going to be going ALL day and is only going to learn to count to 20..... I mean, really... he knew how to count to 20 at one year old from watching sesame street. I really thought that a school in Florida would be more advanced than the one I went to 21 years ago, especially since it's an all day kindergarten.

My main worry is that they are going to think he has ADD or something and try to put him on ritalin.... I've always heard that the parent has no choice in the matter if a dr decides the child needs ritalin... that if I didn't give it to him I would be charged with neglect.

I'm feeling the same way. My son goes to meet his teacher on the 13th so I'm getting a list of questions ready. He could count to 800 when he was 3 and counts to over 1000 now. (He won't be 5 until Sept.) His school only requires them to count to 10! I'm so scared he'll be bored and act out. He also hasn't been around other kids very much and I'm hoping he'll do well with them. Since we're going through the same thing, pm me anytime and we can talk. I could use someone to talk to about it. :)

[1busymomma]

Originally posted by zitra
Yes, but not all kindergarten is half days. It is full days where I live, and the OP said her son will be goig nt ofull day kindergarten. What you described as Kindergarten in your area, is what they do in pre-k here..and what i used to do in 1st. grade at my gradeschool they do in kindergarten where I live.

Must've missed that part, sorry! All I gotta say is that our school sytems really stink in OR. I'd rather have my son going all day that part of the time....I think he would prefer that to if he had the choice at this point. LOL. In the next town over they have cut down class time....kids are only going 4 days a week instead of 5. Can you believe that one?

I have a mouthful where education in this state is concerned, but that's not the point of the thread!

(((((((((angelbear and Newiccan))))))))))

Let us know how things turn out...hopefully it will all work for the best.

[Johnsmom]

I can relate to this. My son just started kindergarten this week. He loves it. He is having a hard time getting used to the structure, though (like you can't just play with whatever you want when you want like you do at home and you have to remember to sit in your seat, not any seat at the table like at home). I am going in to talk to the teacher on Friday to work on a plan to give him some extra help with these things. I feel like I must have failed in some way. I tried to get him to work on a workbook a little bit before school started to get him to follow the instructions. Sometimes he did, sometimes he didn't. I have explained all these things to him. He just seems a little unsure of what to do sometimes and he doesn't seem to be paying attention or getting the routine yet. When I picked him up today, the teacher pointed out where I was standing and he was just walking and looking around like he didn't know what to do. I am so depressed about this. He is very bright intellectually, but a little slow socially I guess. I feel like maybe I was wrong to keep him home with me. I am rambling, aren't I? I just feel like a bad mom right now. Thanks for the opportunity to vent and WHINE.

[DivineMsDi]

"My son starts kindergarten on the 13th of this month. He's my only child so maybe I'm just being overly worried or whatever."

Angel, I feel what you are saying...and you others with a child starting school this Summer/Fall. My only is 5, and I am a bit worried because he is not around other kids too often. He is also bright and sweet and not aggressive, but I think he is going to have trouble settling down in a routine. I think he will expect it to be playtime, but it won't be a bit like his playgroup, which I have explained to him. I used to be a teacher, so I know it will be an adjustment, but we moms cannot plan and shield our children from the necessary stumbles of life. If your son is truly gifted, his teacher will find supplemental work to challenge him. Dont' be too worried about boredom. My son will be going half days the first 5, then full time (8-2).