Anyone knows the Early Entrance Exam to Kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

My child is in preschool this year and is enthusiastically working 3 to 4 years ahead in math. I really don't think he'd be happy going into public K in two years and following the traditional K curriculum. Socially he prefers playing with older, typically developing kids or age peers that are similarly advanced.

I'm really surprised none of the teachers posting have ever taught a child like mine in all their years.

[Anonymous]

Here's one for you. I am expecting a child on September 16. I have a current kindergartener in MoCo. I will be induced before my due date with this pregnancy unless I go naturally early. I have been told because of my medical condition that I can be induced as early as 38 weeks, or September 2. Really, because we are in K, and we are older parents, I am really considering asking for an induction on Sept. 1 (if it is safe for the baby). I know it's not rational, but frankly, it leaves the K decision in my hands, not the county. It is unfortunate that the county seems to be very strict on admission based on whether a child is born on the 1st or the 2nd.

It means the difference between my husband being 68 or 69 when the baby graduates from high school. It means the difference between paying out of pocket for an extra year of preschool or daycare.

[Anonymous]

I think you have to go for 8/31...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's one for you. I am expecting a child on September 16. I have a current kindergartener in MoCo. I will be induced before my due date with this pregnancy unless I go naturally early. I have been told because of my medical condition that I can be induced as early as 38 weeks, or September 2. Really, because we are in K, and we are older parents, I am really considering asking for an induction on Sept. 1 (if it is safe for the baby). I know it's not rational, but frankly, it leaves the K decision in my hands, not the county. It is unfortunate that the county seems to be very strict on admission based on whether a child is born on the 1st or the 2nd.

It means the difference between my husband being 68 or 69 when the baby graduates from high school. It means the difference between paying out of pocket for an extra year of preschool or daycare.

1. The induction would need to be on 8/31 for your child to meet the cutoff.
2. No, it is not rational.
3. An 8/31 birthday is not the only way to leave the K decision in your hands because you can apply for EEK.
4. Paying for an extra year of preschool or daycare is nothing compared to the stresses of having a child in a grade too old for his developmental capability (if this turned out to be the case). Our neighbor's 8/31 son went "on time" because his parents wanted to save money and they have had years of problems (and extra help costing $$$).

These decisions cannot be made while the baby is in-utero.

Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It means the difference between my husband being 68 or 69 when the baby graduates from high school. It means the difference between paying out of pocket for an extra year of preschool or daycare.

1. The induction would need to be on 8/31 for your child to meet the cutoff.
2. No, it is not rational.
3. An 8/31 birthday is not the only way to leave the K decision in your hands because you can apply for EEK.
4. Paying for an extra year of preschool or daycare is nothing compared to the stresses of having a child in a grade too old for his developmental capability (if this turned out to be the case). Our neighbor's 8/31 son went "on time" because his parents wanted to save money and they have had years of problems (and extra help costing $$$). These decisions cannot be made while the baby is in-utero.

Sheesh.

You realize you are talking about an age difference of about a week? The 8/31 date is so arbitary when you are talking about a few weeks before or after. The poster didn't say she wants to make the decision while her child is in-utero. She said she wants to have the decision in her hands and not the counties when the time comes......sheeesh! Who knows what she'll actually do when the time comes....heck she may hold her kid back. Just because your friend made a bad decision for her kid doesn't mean it's a bad decision for another. I think it's very rational to take this into consideration.

[Anonymous]

My child is in preschool this year and is enthusiastically working 3 to 4 years ahead in math. I really don't think he'd be happy going into public K in two years and following the traditional K curriculum. Socially he prefers playing with older, typically developing kids or age peers that are similarly advanced.

I'm really surprised none of the teachers posting have ever taught a child like mine in all their years.

I actually did have a similar student a few years back. The child went to a first grade class for reading groups and math enrichment, but quite frankly NEEDED kindergarten to develop the social skills to interact with peers of the same age. And to explore learning styles other than his own. Children need to learn how to get along with others--not just how to "be nice" but to interact with and appreciate others at all different levels and abilities. Kindergarten is where that happens.

Worth noting that in MCPS at least, schools are moving to the integrated curriculum, which does not focus on grade level (student who "master" one grade level jumping ahead to the next grade level). Instead advanced students move to enrichment within the same concept, finding different ways to look at and apply the skills, etc. I personally feel that this benefits a student like your son because you can always go deeper into a concept. He will likely not be bored with the academics, especially if his teacher offers the right enrichment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's one for you. I am expecting a child on September 16. I have a current kindergartener in MoCo. I will be induced before my due date with this pregnancy unless I go naturally early. I have been told because of my medical condition that I can be induced as early as 38 weeks, or September 2. Really, because we are in K, and we are older parents, I am really considering asking for an induction on Sept. 1 (if it is safe for the baby). I know it's not rational, but frankly, it leaves the K decision in my hands, not the county. It is unfortunate that the county seems to be very strict on admission based on whether a child is born on the 1st or the 2nd.

It means the difference between my husband being 68 or 69 when the baby graduates from high school. It means the difference between paying out of pocket for an extra year of preschool or daycare.

1. The induction would need to be on 8/31 for your child to meet the cutoff.
2. No, it is not rational.
3. An 8/31 birthday is not the only way to leave the K decision in your hands because you can apply for EEK.
4. Paying for an extra year of preschool or daycare is nothing compared to the stresses of having a child in a grade too old for his developmental capability (if this turned out to be the case). Our neighbor's 8/31 son went "on time" because his parents wanted to save money and they have had years of problems (and extra help costing $$$).

These decisions cannot be made while the baby is in-utero.

Sheesh.

I am the induction poster. The child must turn 5 "on or before September 1." I am watching friends with kids turning 5 this summer in their decision process for next year, whether to hold back or not. Again, and thanks PP, I want input into this decision. It seems if the child is born after September 1, I get no say in the process. I get say if the child is born before midnight on September 1st. It is extraordinarily arbitrary.

Of course, all of this is moot if my doctors want me to wait until closer to my due date for induction. Heck, I might even decide waiting to deliver is more important than advanced planning for K. I think if my older child were not currently in K, I wouldn't even be thinking about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child is in preschool this year and is enthusiastically working 3 to 4 years ahead in math. I really don't think he'd be happy going into public K in two years and following the traditional K curriculum. Socially he prefers playing with older, typically developing kids or age peers that are similarly advanced.

I'm really surprised none of the teachers posting have ever taught a child like mine in all their years.

Uh huh... watch, you will be surprised.

[Anonymous]

How can you make the conclusion that boy did poorly in school because he entered school "on time", but not because of other factors?

Anonymous wrote:
4. Paying for an extra year of preschool or daycare is nothing compared to the stresses of having a child in a grade too old for his developmental capability (if this turned out to be the case). Our neighbor's 8/31 son went "on time" because his parents wanted to save money and they have had years of problems (and extra help costing $$$).

These decisions cannot be made while the baby is in-utero.

Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can you make the conclusion that boy did poorly in school because he entered school "on time", but not because of other factors?

Anonymous wrote:
4. Paying for an extra year of preschool or daycare is nothing compared to the stresses of having a child in a grade too old for his developmental capability (if this turned out to be the case). Our neighbor's 8/31 son went "on time" because his parents wanted to save money and they have had years of problems (and extra help costing $$$).

These decisions cannot be made while the baby is in-utero.

Sheesh.

I am reporting what his parents said.

[Anonymous]

"Uh huh... watch, you will be surprised."

Surprised about what?

Just read an article about a boy who graduated from Yale with a double degree last week..and will also get his high school diploma in June. Definitely an extreme, but I am glad his parents didn't assume it would be inappropriate to accelerate.

[Anonymous]

I'm really surprised none of the teachers posting have ever taught a child like mine in all their years.

Um. We have had children like yours. But chances are you think your child is significantly more advanced that we do. We've also had plenty of parents just like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I'm really surprised none of the teachers posting have ever taught a child like mine in all their years.

Um. We have had children like yours. But chances are you think your child is significantly more advanced that we do. We've also had plenty of parents just like you.

Actually his preschool teacher informed us of his math level. She is a former elementary teacher. Our pediatrician and former daycare director have also remarked about his preciousness. Your attitude is a bit disheartening and I hope you aren't responsibile for teaching a child like mine...both for the child's sake and his or her parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm really surprised none of the teachers posting have ever taught a child like mine in all their years.

Um. We have had children like yours. But chances are you think your child is significantly more advanced that we do. We've also had plenty of parents just like you.

Actually his preschool teacher informed us of his math level. She is a former elementary teacher. Our pediatrician and former daycare director have also remarked about his preciousness. Your attitude is a bit disheartening and I hope you aren't responsibile for teaching a child like mine...both for the child's sake and his or her parents.

I forgot to mention that I appreciate the feedback from the other more accepting teachers that posted in response to my post. Very helpful info...thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Uh huh... watch, you will be surprised."

Surprised about what?

Just read an article about a boy who graduated from Yale with a double degree last week..and will also get his high school diploma in June. Definitely an extreme, but I am glad his parents didn't assume it would be inappropriate to accelerate.

Just saying that you will be surprised that there will be other advanced kids. And this is a good thing, not only for the companionship but also for the challenge. Believe me, been down this road. Sure, maybe your kid is a total genius. I would just encourage you to entertain the possibility that there will be others as well.