Hello!
I'm looking for feedback on a few issues I'm thinking about right now. I've read several posts and everybody has really GREAT ideas I will be implementing. Thanks so much! I'm currently dealing with some issues and I think you are the people who can give me some input.
We recently moved to Germany from the US. We weren't planning on DS but when he came along we of course want the best for him and since my husband is German-born we thought living here with all the history and culture would be great as well as ds becoming bi-lingual. Well, the schools here are a bit different. Kindergarten starts at age 3 and lasts for 3 years. Basically, it's just learning how to play and getting ready for more formal learning. They sing and paint etc... It's 5 mornings a week for 3-4 hours. Letters and numbers don't really start until first grade. Grades 1-4 are also short days that end around noon so not a lot of time is actually spent in school. DS is only 21 months so it's not an emergency but definitely something to start thinking about. I don't plan on home schooling full time but I am concerned about ds going into first grade without formal letter and number training. We are obviously already working on these things informally in ways that are totally age appropriate. Ds is extremely independent so I'm basically just letting him go for now to explore the world on his own and we're following his lead. (he loves thomas the tank engine so we have the numbered engines in differnet colors etc....)
The heart of my issue is we may not stay in the German system forever. We may return to the states or enter him into an International Baccalariate program or another "international" option. I want him to be able to meet these challenges. Is there a list somewhere of skills that are pre-school, kindergarden and first grade level? I'm starting my research early so I can plan things or at least keep the skills in my mind throughout the day. I'm not trying in anyway to create a super brain child or anything like that. (we moved here because we love the history and culture and want to share it with ds) My hope would be that if he were faced with an admissions test or even new kids in a new school he wouldn't feel completely overwhelmed. I know the saying "kids will catch up very quickly." I would rather not face ds with that kind of challenge if I don't have to.
Any other comments or insights completely welcome. Thanks! Vic
