Anonymous wrote:

Wait until he starts school before you make assumptions about him needing more challenge. Seriously - I think you may not realize the great breadth of variety among young children and that learning does not progress in a linear fashion.

I agree with piano or violin lessons if you think he needs extension. So many skills beyond what a tutor can provide are the building blocks of learning at that age. Negotiating relationships with teachers and other kids is crucial.

Also, play lots of games with him (card games, board games, puzzles, etc.).

I have degrees in education, by the way, so not just speaking from experience with my own kids.

Above all...Do NOT wait until he starts school before you make assumptions about him needing more challenge. There is nothing magical about the age of 6, brick and mortar schools, or American educational policy, rules and regulation regarding the learning capacity of children. It's not in the US constitution.

I did NOT mean wait until 6. I meant wait until the kid starts at the PG school for kindergarten that the OP is talking about. The OP is talking about whether the PG school they are intending to send their kid to will be enough. Try not to jump to conclusions so quickly!

Wait until he starts school before you make assumptions about him needing more challenge. Seriously - I think you may not realize the great breadth of variety among young children and that learning does not progress in a linear fashion.

I agree with piano or violin lessons if you think he needs extension. So many skills beyond what a tutor can provide are the building blocks of learning at that age. Negotiating relationships with teachers and other kids is crucial.

Also, play lots of games with him (card games, board games, puzzles, etc.).

I have degrees in education, by the way, so not just speaking from experience with my own kids.

Above all...Do NOT wait until he starts school before you make assumptions about him needing more challenge. There is nothing magical about the age of 6, brick and mortar schools, or American educational policy, rules and regulation regarding the learning capacity of children. It's not in the US constitution.

If it is ok to get a child in K that's an advanced and good swimmer a coach/tutor or a club swim team, or a child in K that's quite advanced at piano and violin a coach/tutor or music lessons, don't mind the drivel...if your kid is quite adept at numbers or reading it's ok to get him/her a coach/tutor or outside lessons in these domains. You heard it here.

PP again: some fun learning games we have are Rush Hour, Mastermind and Qwirkle. Try those.

You live just outside Washington DC: take advantage of the amazing museums that are free and many of which have exhibits that a kindergartner would love, like the National History museum. My husband likes to talk about baseball statistics with our son which allows him to enjoy the game more, and it helps in understanding math. So learning the rules of the games is educational. As others have mentioned, piano lessons are great. Lastly, see what afterschool programs the school has and sign him up. At our school they have science, chess, nature stuff, etc. Forget the tutor, it's not necessary at this age and could turn him off to academics more than motivate him.

Wait until he starts school before you make assumptions about him needing more challenge. Seriously - I think you may not realize the great breadth of variety among young children and that learning does not progress in a linear fashion.

I agree with piano or violin lessons if you think he needs extension. So many skills beyond what a tutor can provide are the building blocks of learning at that age. Negotiating relationships with teachers and other kids is crucial.

Also, play lots of games with him (card games, board games, puzzles, etc.).

I have degrees in education, by the way, so not just speaking from experience with my own kids.

For God's sake let him be a kid. He doesn't need any tutor. What he needs is for you to get off his back and let him go out and play with kids in the neighborhood.

I'm with 16:51. Get a piano teacher, take your kid to the Mall, or travel as a family. If you're concerned about the level of reading or math instruction, these are things you can provide enrichment for, and your kindergartner will love having your attention (as long as you don't make it all about acceleration for its own sake, instead you make it fun) much more than being in an institutional setting.

Kumon or Sylvan or find a tutor thru the school. If there are several liked minded parents or foreigners then you will find them at Kumon. I know I amazed at the number of peopeople speaking another language, it is probably 3/4.

You could try Kumon or that kind of center. Though I would wait until after school starts. It's possible the school will step up and provide the kind of instruction you are talking about.

Save that money for college and read/talk/play with him yourself. Seriously. Even if he is incredibly smart, he is still in K.

We are considering the possibility of enrolling our child in a Prince George's County school but, out of concern that he will not be challenged enough, we want to hire a tutor who can provide more challenge on a weekly basis. Where do you find a tutor like this? This is our attempt to find an alternative to spending $$$$ for private school. We are willing to spend good money for the tutor. Has anyone done this sort of thing?