Lack of Challenge for a First Grader - Skipping a grade?

[Anonymous]

My son repeated K because when we transitioned schools, he was too young to go to first grade. Now he is in first grade and is doing very well. Probably too well. Even though he has a late autumn birthday he is by no means the oldest child in the class (and certainly not among the boys). He reads very well and his math skills are comparable to the third graders. Now he knows he is one of the smartest kids and he complains that he is booorrrreeed at school. I've spoken to the teacher about giving more challenge but we just don't see it. I feel for the teacher - she has to deal with 20 kids with a great variety of capabilities. He is otherwise very happy - lots of friends and it is a nice school. It pains me to see him being flippant about homework and getting a big head about how smart he is. How do you work with a school to get him more challenge? Is skipping a grade done anymore (i recall seeing it occassionally when i was a kid)?

[Anonymous]

You might want to check out http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/. They have lots of info for parents of gifted kids, including, I'm sure, about grade skips.

One rule of thumb I've heard is to skip if a child would still be at the top of the class he/she moves to. But other experienced parents may have more detailed stories to relate.

[Anonymous]

I was tested as HG as a child and have spoken with a lot of other mothers who were HG as children. My opinion, and the overwhelming consensus of the mothers with whom I have spoken about this, is that skipping grades is NOT beneficial and is harmful overall. However, again my opinion, and the overwhelming consensus, is that specialized Gifted and Talented types of programs are VERY beneficial.

One of the MOST important things all children learn in school is socialization skills. Skipping a grade really impairs that process, but so does being scapegoated by peers or teachers if a child is so gifted that they really stand out. Hence, being in settings where they are also around other gifted children and where that giftedness is accepted and celebrated is a wonderful relief for many.

[Anonymous]

I have a relative who is an elementary school librarian. For some of the highly gifted students she worked with them in small groups to really help challenge them with their reading and comprehension. If the classroom teacher does not have the resources to work further with your son, perhaps there are other resources in the school.

[Anonymous]

In response to 14:03--I've heard that studies find that skipping children IS beneficial on the whole. Not sure how I feel about that--I had the option to skip as a child and didn't, and was happy with how things turned out, but that's because I was part of a wonderful gifted program. I also had parents who were strong advocates for my needs as well as teachers who were flexible and supportive.

I know a lot depends on the school. Is there a gifted program? Is there a particularly promising teacher you can advocate for for him to have next year?

Of course, a factor in this case is that the child would be particularly close in age to classmates if he skipped.

Another good resource (where grade-skipping is often discussed): http://boards.parentcenter.babycenter.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?listMode=-1&nav=messages&webtag=bcus18927