September birthday DD, will she be bored in K?

[Anonymous]

We have an October 1 child who was reading by 2.5 or so? (I didn't realize he could read until he started saying the words- preschool teachers also said so). We missed the cut off for FCPS- no exception. It was a relief in a way to have him so advanced academically so any potential unknown was social (going from a small cozy preschool to a large ES). He loves school- was advanced and still is but the teachers do pull-outs. Just going to ES is an experience- larger classes, new kids, system etc. It;s not just can you read, add etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our DD has a Sept birthday and entered K at age 4. It's been a few years and we regret it now. She has to work hard to keep up with the class academically, physically, socially (and she knows it). We're talking with the school about keeping her back next year. She fits in just fine with the grade under her. I know a lot of people on here will say they were the youngest in their class and everything was fine, but I say keep an open mind about the possibility of dropping back.

Our DD has a November birthday (back when cutoff was October) and we skipped her. It is one of my biggest regrets. Being bored isn't the worst thing. Feeling out of sync with your peers is way worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No.

Kindergarten is never boring.

It is the best grade of the entire school career. Why would anyone want their kid to pass that year?

Why is it so hard for some people to understand that some kids really have that drive and thirst for knowledge early on? It's not about rushing. Instead, it's about listening to your child and being their advocate. How many times does a person have to say, "Each child is different." Don't be a hater or be so quick to criticize just because you don't believe or don't relate.

Because I can now say as a parent of a 3rd grader, that those advanced kids change so much once there is real skill and initiative needed.

It is really true that it evens out by 3rd grade. Kids that read themselves chapter books in K mean nothing.

So the advanced kids become slow or average and then the slow ones become geniuses. Does that make you feel better to make those generalizations? Ok. Way to go, mom.

The advanced kids were not really advanced and being able to read in K is not the same as reding in 3rd grade. Also, the realization of their acting out is not from their brilliancy and boredom but from impulse control issues, add issues, etc..

You can be both brilliant and have impulse control problems! The most brilliant boy in my child's HGC has so much energy that he can not physically sit still.

[Anonymous]

My September DS took the early entrance test and got in. He enjoys school and is thriving.

The only challenge I find with a September b'day is celebrating birthdays and calling classmates. Since most of the time it is a new school year he does not know all his classmates.

Apart from that - get them in school if they are ready.

[Anonymous]

The schools can accommodate the needs of most children. It's really to your DD's advantage to be on the older end of the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The schools can accommodate the needs of most children. It's really to your DD's advantage to be on the older end of the class.

There is no evidence of this.

There is evidence that it's advantageous academically to be younger.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/09/youngest-kid-smartest-kid.html

[Anonymous]

Can you afford JK at a private? Many of the preschools go through kindergarten. Your DD should be able to attend K at a preschool. I know our preschool's kindergarten is half kids with late birthdays (September-November).

[Anonymous]

Kids are all over the board in K. She will have kids that are also early birthdays so it's not like she'll be months and months older. She'll make friends and she will not be bored. K instruction is really focused on getting the kids to be comfortable in a school setting. It's not about a race out of the gates (although some parents treat it as such.) I have two kids - oldest is early October bday and youngest is late Sep. I'm happy to have the extra year. My oldest is in K now and doing great. He is smart and ahead of grade level (esp in math) but he's not bored. His best friend in class is exceptionally smart - I've seen this for myself and his mom says that he is really enjoying K.

[Anonymous]

That New Yorker article doesn't have a lot of research to support it. And, think about this, who would send their younger child unless the child is smart? There's more to success than IQ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No.

Kindergarten is never boring.

It is the best grade of the entire school career. Why would anyone want their kid to pass that year?

Why is it so hard for some people to understand that some kids really have that drive and thirst for knowledge early on? It's not about rushing. Instead, it's about listening to your child and being their advocate. How many times does a person have to say, "Each child is different." Don't be a hater or be so quick to criticize just because you don't believe or don't relate.

I totally relate.

I had a kid (youngest in the class though) who tested off the charts and was reading fluently when he started K.

Kindergarten is about so much more than academics. It is truly the best year of school. Your child will not be bored. There will always be something fun to do in kindergarten, and something to challenge each child, be it social skills, reading silently, handwriting, art projects, music class where you are learning real music, PE, eating in the cafeteria, learning a science lesson, etc.

In this area especially, smart well prepared kindergartners are a dime a dozen.

Your child will not be bored, and will not be alone.

Completely agree! It's not about your reading level. There is so much more to it! My DS is early Oct and was also reading at a 6 when we had our PT conference in November. But there were things that he could improve on - i.e., retelling stories, using punctuation. He really enjoys the science topics - life cycles of a frog, water cycle, clouds. He loves his teacher and he can't wait to go to school every morning. There were also at least 4 other kids with birthdays between Sep and Dec