DD just turned 4 at the end of August, so is a "young 4" in her preschool class (preK4, cutoff date here is Sept. 1). She is going to preschool 3 days a week (WThF, 9-2) and this is her second week. Her teacher called me today to voice some concerns she had with DD. Some of them were:
Social: Other kids seem to try and engage her to play and she is acting kind of reserved and holding back, whereas this kid does NOT really do this at home. Same with circle time...if it is just the teacher asking her something (not with other kids around) she will talk and share what she wants to say, but says "no" if the other kids are around.
Puts her fingers in her mouth a lot, especially the thumb; she was sucking her thumb at 2 minutes old and I suspect even in the womb, so it is pretty ingrained.
When wearing a dress, tends to sit where her underwear shows, which I have not really made a big deal of yet as I figure she is still a little kid, but whatever.
Fine motor: We have not done much with scissors yet at home, so DD is not adept with them yet. Also, she is just beginning to show interest in writing her name, and can write the letter i in her name (Michelle). She can also spell her name. She still will not write other letters, and tends to "scribble" rather than draw recognizable objects.
Strengths: She is doing awesome with the potty now; a few accidents at home or overnight, but none at school yet. She can spell her name, recognizes both her and her brother Matthew's name when written, knows colors and shapes, can sort things by those categories, sings the ABC song and recognizes probably about 1/2 the letters, can count to 20 skipping a couple of the teens, but recognizes most of the digits (may mix up similar ones like 5 and 2, 3 and 8, etc.), talks really well, is very imaginative in play, when at the park or somewhere can make friends easily with one or two new kids she has never met before, just tougher when there are a lot of people, is very sensitive to others being hurt and will give them a hug, loves books and being read to, is very sweet, but can be really stubborn, and LOUD if things are not going her way or she is overtired/hungry.
Other factors...she got a cold right before school started, and has been fighting that off the past week and a half, so maybe part of it is not feeling well? She has started wetting the bed at night again after being dry all night most of the summer (again, not sure if this is because of having that cold, or some anxiety over school starting and the change in routine?), and I am expecting in January, so don't know if some of it is due to her changing feelings on that (sometimes she is excited about being a big sister, sometimes she tells me, "I don't WANT a baby brother or sister!").
I have really been struggling with where to place her as far as what class because of her birthday being RIGHT at the cutoff date. I want her to be challenged and engaged, but not overwhelmed. Do you think these types of things would warrant moving her down to the 3 year old class, or do you think with working on some of it at home, she can succeed and still be happy and challenged? Part of my thinking with putting her in the 4's class was that a lot of times kids rise to the challenge if expected to act a certain way with slightly older kids to model, and she is a smart kid (of course
), so I was hoping to give her a chance. I still am not firm on whether or not to start K next year or repeat preK; I was planning to wait after this year and see where she is then.
Again, I am questioning myself and just want what is best for my little girl. Anyone have any insight or suggestions or experiences to share of kids who were right at the cutoff for age for school...in general, do they do better going younger or older, and what do you think of our situation?
Social: Other kids seem to try and engage her to play and she is acting kind of reserved and holding back, whereas this kid does NOT really do this at home. Same with circle time...if it is just the teacher asking her something (not with other kids around) she will talk and share what she wants to say, but says "no" if the other kids are around.
Puts her fingers in her mouth a lot, especially the thumb; she was sucking her thumb at 2 minutes old and I suspect even in the womb, so it is pretty ingrained.
When wearing a dress, tends to sit where her underwear shows, which I have not really made a big deal of yet as I figure she is still a little kid, but whatever.
Fine motor: We have not done much with scissors yet at home, so DD is not adept with them yet. Also, she is just beginning to show interest in writing her name, and can write the letter i in her name (Michelle). She can also spell her name. She still will not write other letters, and tends to "scribble" rather than draw recognizable objects.
Strengths: She is doing awesome with the potty now; a few accidents at home or overnight, but none at school yet. She can spell her name, recognizes both her and her brother Matthew's name when written, knows colors and shapes, can sort things by those categories, sings the ABC song and recognizes probably about 1/2 the letters, can count to 20 skipping a couple of the teens, but recognizes most of the digits (may mix up similar ones like 5 and 2, 3 and 8, etc.), talks really well, is very imaginative in play, when at the park or somewhere can make friends easily with one or two new kids she has never met before, just tougher when there are a lot of people, is very sensitive to others being hurt and will give them a hug, loves books and being read to, is very sweet, but can be really stubborn, and LOUD if things are not going her way or she is overtired/hungry.
Other factors...she got a cold right before school started, and has been fighting that off the past week and a half, so maybe part of it is not feeling well? She has started wetting the bed at night again after being dry all night most of the summer (again, not sure if this is because of having that cold, or some anxiety over school starting and the change in routine?), and I am expecting in January, so don't know if some of it is due to her changing feelings on that (sometimes she is excited about being a big sister, sometimes she tells me, "I don't WANT a baby brother or sister!").
I have really been struggling with where to place her as far as what class because of her birthday being RIGHT at the cutoff date. I want her to be challenged and engaged, but not overwhelmed. Do you think these types of things would warrant moving her down to the 3 year old class, or do you think with working on some of it at home, she can succeed and still be happy and challenged? Part of my thinking with putting her in the 4's class was that a lot of times kids rise to the challenge if expected to act a certain way with slightly older kids to model, and she is a smart kid (of course
), so I was hoping to give her a chance. I still am not firm on whether or not to start K next year or repeat preK; I was planning to wait after this year and see where she is then.Again, I am questioning myself and just want what is best for my little girl. Anyone have any insight or suggestions or experiences to share of kids who were right at the cutoff for age for school...in general, do they do better going younger or older, and what do you think of our situation?
