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4 Y/O reads, writes and does math???  

post #1 of 9
Thread Starter 
So my four year and 2 month old daughter has learned to read pretty well and gets better at it day by day. She also can write really well. And she can do addition and subtraction. She is basically learning obsessed and wants to be taught about things all the time. She doesn't even begin kindergarten for a year and a half. What will she do in kindergarten? What do they do if a child already knows what they will be teaching? Should we just skip kindergarten? Does anyone know, or have experience, and what have they done about school. Homeschool is not an option, and unless she gets a scholarship, either is private school.

Thanks
post #2 of 9
Schools vary widely as far as how they handle a child who is academically advanced. Your best bet is to request a tour of your public school now, and set up an interview with the principal so you can ask her these questions.
post #3 of 9

some schools you can also request

grade skip tests or placement in the accelerated learning program..

We did the former for my dd one year..
post #4 of 9
Whatever you decide to do keep in mind not to burn her out by either not challenging her as much as she wants or by challenging too much.


My niece was forced into classes for gifted children but they still where not meeting her needs, she needed more stimulants.

My father was held back by his mom by not letting him go to collage when he was 13, she left him in a school that also provided no advancement. He burned out.
post #5 of 9
When I went to school (private), I already knew everything they were doing in reading, writing, and math for the first few years. (After that I got the highest grades in the whole grade w/o trying and eventually had a horrible time because I went to a new high school where I would have been perfect if my other school had ever challenged me...ong story).

Anyway, the first few years they let me use my own textbooks in class and for homework. I had to sit through the "lecture" part of the classes but when it came time to do classwork, I had my own plan and worksheets, etc. This really helped.

Emily
post #6 of 9
I would agree it is wise to talk to your school district now. Around here they do not really do anything for kids who are ahead, except "try" to meet their needs in the classroom, and suggest they bring in things from home to help keep them engaged in something when everyone else is learning stuff they already know. There is no formal way of dealing with it. It would also be good to explore how she is doiong socially, since that is the other piece. There are some kids that are academically really ahead, but could use more experience with social stuf, learning how to be in morning meeting, getting along with others, etc. My ds was one of these. Knew the stuff but definitely needed more social time in k-garten. It will be interesting to hear what your district says!
post #7 of 9
HOMESCHOOL!
post #8 of 9
I think school is sooooooooooo much more than just academia..
Social development is every bit as important.
Something to keep in mind-
Maria
post #9 of 9
I could read and write at age four as well (and like your daughter, WANTED to do it). I was going to attend private school and was given a "kindergarten readiness" test because their curriculum was more advanced than public schools.

After taking the test, my parents and the school decided to place me into 1st grade instead of K. (I was a young five when I started 1st grade.) I did very well academically, and my class was so small (8 kids) that the teacher could give me separate reading books and challenge me more easily than a public school teacher might have. (In addition, the kids were all middle class, spoke English, had involved parents, etc., so the challenges for this teacher were much less than what you would find in a traditional school setting.)

My social development was a different story, however. None of the first graders wanted to play with a five year old. (Kids are so age-obsessed in the lower elementary grades.) I did have one friend, and got through the year OK. The next year I moved up to second grade, but they sent me to do reading in the 5th grade room, etc. Again, academically I was fine, but it was very hard for a six year old to make friends with kids in 5th grade.

I don't have any sage advice, just wanted you to make sure you considered every angle before making a decision.
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