1st Grade or K for 5 year old

[kit]

Dear everyone,

We have just moved to China and based on the age factor, my 5.75 year old son has been admitted to Kindergarten in his new school. The curriculum in this new school is a lot easier than his previous school in Korea. My son has a passion for Math and he has been adding and subtracting 4 digit numbers and he understands multiplication well. He can read some Level 1 books independently (not sure how to assess his reading). And for this new Kindergarten, they are going to learn to count up to 30 and some one-digit operation. And as for reading they will start from teaching the Letter Sound. My son loves challenges and we are afraid that going for another Kindergarten year in this new school will bore him to death. The school is not willing to move him up to First Grade because his birthday is 24 days after the cut-off day for entering First Grade. And the school emphasized it's best if he can be with his peers at the same age.

I feel very frustrated as I (and his previous teachers) have always used the follow the child approach and have been pretty flexible with his learning. My son loves learning and he loves everything. He is independent and has a very strong focus. We want to find an environment in where his interests and ability will be followed and needs be met. But we don't think this kindergarten year will be right for him. This is a mainstream school and the day is very structured, which is quite different from his previous school.And there are not many choices here too. We are struggling if we should keep fighting with the school to move him to the First Grade (which is a better solution but not an ideal one) or I should just pull him out and homeschool.

I appreciate if anyone can share with me your thoughts and experiences. I am really lost. Thanks a lot,

Regards,
KC

[lightheart]

I don't know how the school system/days work there, would the K be all day, everyday?

If it was only part time or you could work out a way to only send him part time then you could possibly work in 'education' and 'challenges' for him at home on his off days and send him to school for the social aspect of being with peers and the structure it might offer.

Are you planning on staying there long term and are the schools more willing to move up a grade level once a child reaches a certain age?

[eepster]

It sounds like all that he would learn at that school is that school is about drudgery. Considering how far behind the K curriculumn is from where you describe your DS being, I have to wonder if the 1st grade class would still be mostly busy work for him even if you could convince them to let him in. Unless you have a reason not too I would go with home schooling.

[kit]

First Grade or K for 5 year old

I would like to thank eepster and lightheart for your thoughts. I agree with lightheart that I don't expect a lot of challenges for my DS in the first grade but at least he may get a little bit more than K. I am also considering homeschooling but that's a big thing for me and I am not really ready for that. And I do have the concern of the social life of DS in I go for homeschooling. I am not sure how long we need to stay here.

I talked to DS teacher today and he told me he can see some areas of DS are beyond K level but he needs to observe his social behavior for a longer time. For me, I don't think there is a lot of differences between 5 and 6 year old. And I buy the mixed-aged concept, which the school obviously does not embrace. As a mom, I think DS does not have behavioral problems. Could somebody share with me what kind of social behavior is expected for a first grader / 6 year old?

DS does take time to warm up in a new environment and he is usually reserved and observed in a new environment. Hence, the longer they "observe", the worse will be on DS. Does anyone has gone through similar experiences?

Thanks,
KM




And I am not sure how long we will be staying in China, hopefully one year but no guarantee at this point.

[Heavenly]

When is his birthday? My daughter doesn't turn 6 until November 9 and she is going into 1st grade (the cutoff is December 31 here). I can't imagine putting an almost 6 year old child into kindergarten, especially when he is already so academically advanced. I would try and get the school to let you put him in 1st grade. It is only 24 days for crying out loud!