kinder or first grade?

brandi.diane · February 2010

my son is five years old. his birthday is in october. so we started him early for kinder. his teacher informed us that he is doing great. his intelligence level is as high and even higher then some of the older kids in his class. however, he is immature. not disruptive, but the teacher says he has trouble transitioning and sitting still for extended periods. his teacher was very adamant that he has no learning problems and that everything he does is because of his age. we are on the fence about holding him back a year because as i said he is where he needs to be intellectually. i cant see holding him back and having him re learn things he already knowa, but i understand 1st grade will be hard if he has trouble sitting still. ( it would be all day where kinder is not)n

so my question is, does anyone have any ideas as to what i can do to help my son transition more easily? His teacher suggested giving him chores at home. im going to do that any other suggestions?

MrsFallBride · February 2010

I don't think that I would leave him back, because boredom (having already done the kinder thing) can cause him to be more restless and then become a behavior problem. I think the academics of First Grade will keep him busy and focused.

As far a preparations, you have plenty of time for him to "mature" and be able to sit for longer periods of time. You still have half a school year and the entire summer. I would suggest some structured activities over the summer so that he keeps some sort of routines.

Good luck and make sure to offer him lots of positive praise for good behavior!!

JOEBunny · February 2010

What is the cut off were you live and do you plan to stay there? Here it is 9/1, so he would have to be in Kindy. I would not hold a child back if he was within the year for his school and doing well, which is sounds like he is. I was one of the youngest in my class and graduated early to go to college. It worked well for me. I am sure I was "immature" at certain points compared to the oldest kids, but I never noticed it. I would be sure not to talk about this in front of your son too.

MichelleWP · February 2010

It seems a little early in the year to worry too much, but it's probably be a good idea to keep in mind that the main concentration in kindergarten is social/attending skills - the structure needed for academics - not academics themselves. I know where I live they will suggest a child be held back if they are having issues with social skills and maturity, but not for academics. He still has quite a ways to go before the school year is over though - a lot can change!

I would recommend a somewhat structured activity outside of school - maybe martial arts or gymnastics. Things like that are great for kids who need a little more help focusing and staying still.

DandelionMom · February 2010

If he can't sit still, I'd worry about how he'll do in 1st grade. For my kids' school, first grade is a lot more serious than kindergarten. There's a ton more seat work and paper/pencil work and a lot of concentration is necessary.

newwifey · February 2010

I don't really have any advice because I am in the exact same boat. I haven't had that talk yet with the teacher but i am expecting it any day now. Honestly, I wish I had redshirted because at least then it wouldn't feel to her like she is having two years of the same thing. And if we had a shorter preschool day it would have allowed us to do other structured activities as the poster above mentioned.

GL with your decision.

luluroo · February 2010

You might be surprised at how much he may mature in the next 6 months. Since he is not struggling academically, I would not hold him back. I would start to do activities at home that require patience and expectations (sitting and writing and coloring, puzzles, following multi step directions, etc).

In my kinder class I have had kids who I truly thought were going to struggle in 1st grade because of their age and they ended up maturing and doing great. GL and give it time

littlemermaid · February 2010

If he's academically ready then have him go to first grade. Some kids just can't sit still for long, no matter what age they are. Actually I know adults who can't sit still.

brandi.diane · February 2010

Thanks everyone, I feel a lot better. sometimes its nice to just hear from other parents. thanks again. I felt the same way as a lot of you. so thats great!

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kinder or first grade?

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