If your Kindergartner read before K, how do you keep him/her challenged?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS can read fluently and started K. They're doing art, math, Spanish, ELA (which I assume is both pre-writing and pre-reading), PE, music, etc. The "work" they do is only a small part of it.

At home, I supply him with interesting books to read, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as discuss books, reading, writing, spelling, numbers and math, etc.

I really appreciate this. My DS is 4 and reading well in preschool. My assumption is that there will be more than enough new experiences and challenges in K and reading level and ability will be a fairly small blip early on. I know that acting out because of boredom is a common concern, but my (totally gut feeling based on nothing) view is that life isn't always exciting and new and learning to control himself when under-stimulated will be a valuable skill to have. I'm happy to provide challenges outside of the classroom if he turns out to be truly advanced.

Obviously we aren't there yet, so I might be completely off base.

[Anonymous]

Aren't teachers still working with the kids to figure out what their skill levels are? I understand every parent thinks their kid is smarter than the rest of the pack, but poor behavior is poor behavior.

[Anonymous]

Why do you think he is bored? Reading is a very small part of the day. There are so many more things that they do. Is he bored with everything or just with 40 minute reading group?

[Anonymous]

We sent some books in for DC to read, when it became clear that the classroom didn't have any that were sufficiently advanced. Then after a few months the reading teacher arranged so DC could go to a 2nd grade classroom and pick out books from their collection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS can read fluently and started K. They're doing art, math, Spanish, ELA (which I assume is both pre-writing and pre-reading), PE, music, etc. The "work" they do is only a small part of it.

At home, I supply him with interesting books to read, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as discuss books, reading, writing, spelling, numbers and math, etc.

Same. I told the teacher at back to school that he could already read, just so she was aware.
His school has a reading specialist he meets with to get individual instruction as well since he is ahead. It's only once a week, but great benefit.

[Anonymous]

Private piano lessons. Can your child read music? Plenty of ways to challenge a child that needs more. Stop thinking school is all there is.

[Anonymous]

I have a kindergartener who can read fluently and her math is also well above the k benchmarks. She loves kindergarten. It is all new to her, she loves specials and is not one bit bored. So far she has learned to walk in a line, sing some pretty cool songs, learned all of her new classmates names, made friends, figured out how a smart board works, and learned to log into the computer. She has learned the world is bigger than the little world she knew and that some kids are not good listeners. She has learned to take a bus and wait for attention. Oh, and she learned to tie her shoes. All of this ( and more) and it's still September Trust me, your kid is fine and is learning so much even if the academics are "easy".

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the helpful posters--good to know that kids who are reading are finding K challenging/fun. So far the year has gone well for us, but I had a friend in another part of the country in a similar situation and their DC in K and had a very tough transition due to boredom. I guess I might have been projecting that experience, but good to know that doesn't need to be the norm.

[Anonymous]

I think it's normal in the early weeks of a grade for teachers to still be assessing where kids are in relation to each other and the curriculum. My daughter told me that she hasn't learned anything new yet in 1st, but that's partly because she was in the advanced groups in reading and math in K, so the teacher is still likely getting some kids up to a certain level before moving on. I toss extra books and a drawing/writing pad into her backpack so she can read, write or draw if she finishes her work early and is bored.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the helpful posters--good to know that kids who are reading are finding K challenging/fun. So far the year has gone well for us, but I had a friend in another part of the country in a similar situation and their DC in K and had a very tough transition due to boredom. I guess I might have been projecting that experience, but good to know that doesn't need to be the norm.

OP, sometimes people blame other problems on "boredom." Some kids think that any time they are not doing what they want to do that they are "bored"--in fact, many adults (including me!) fine doing things you don't want to do boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OP here. Thanks for all the helpful posters--good to know that kids who are reading are finding K challenging/fun. So far the year has gone well for us, but I had a friend in another part of the country in a similar situation and their DC in K and had a very tough transition due to boredom. I guess I might have been projecting that experience, but good to know that doesn't need to be the norm.

OP, sometimes people blame other problems on "boredom." Some kids think that any time they are not doing what they want to do that they are "bored"--in fact, many adults (including me!) fine doing things you don't want to do boring.

This. My kids say something is "boring" but it means it's something they don't want to do. Picking up your toys is boring. Making your bed is boring, etc.

[Anonymous]

The teacher already knows I am sure. One thing it took me a little while to realize is that for those who are grades ahead, FCPS really won't challenge the, It is my responsibility as a parent to provide supplemental materials and activities that do that - actually, I take that back - my kid seeks out those opportunities and does it himself!! He goes online for AoPS, he reads books years above his level, etc....

[Anonymous]

As someone who had an early reader (self-taught at 3), take a deep breath. It is all going to be okay and there are plenty of things to do in K beside reading.

[Anonymous]

Ours takes evening classes at a local college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Defiitely call the teacher. Give her a list of the type of books your child can read and tell her to make sure child is getting more work along those lines. I think there are also websites online where you can direct the teacher to provide more advanced work for your child. Research those and provide her with links in a follow up email. She will appreciate the advice. I'm willing to bet she has not seen a child who could already read for 6 MONTHS already upon entering k!

Yes, this is the advice to follow OP.

Make sure to write on the home reading log that your child is already reading so that the teacher knows every single time she reviews your log. The teacher might forget.

It's too bad Back to School Night has passed. I also would have advised asking in front of all the other parents how the teacher plans to challenge your child who is already reading.

OMG, I have actually witnessed this IRL at a Back to School Night!!! AND at an AAP Orientation "My child is waaaaaaaaay advanced, more advanced that the typical AAP kid, what can you do for her?"