A question for all the teachers??? About This Page:

[Skychey]

I have a friend who has a 4 yr old (5 in Nov), she has been tested for starting Kindergarten this year. The girl tested very well they said exceptional on 1 of 3 test. On the other 2 she tested above average. School Board said she had to score exceptional on 2 out of 3 tests. They have offered to put her in a developmental kindergarten class. Usually kids go 3 hours in the morning or 3 hours in afternoon, but SB said she could attend all day. Is this going to be a small scale of Kindergarten just to get them ready for next year? Or is it like a preschool program? Also what are your thoughts on sending a 4 yr old to this type of program? Any comments would be helpful.

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Skychey
"To infinity and beyond!"

[aurora1429]

I would say go for it, it sure isn't going to hinder her. I don't know about your age rules, but here in CT she could go to Kindergarten(our cut off date is Dec. 31). In MIssouri, where my inlaws live the cut off in in June. My nephew who is 6 just started K. I would go for the half day, they are usually worn out after that amount of time, the full day may be too much. Just my opinions

Kristen

[KathyL]

As a person who works for Head Start, this sounds as though it may just be a preschool program. As long as the child enjoys going and has lots of fun, it would be great for the child. Just make sure that the child does not come home with too many worksheets. They are not developmentally appropriate.

[gym mom]

I am not a teacher, just the Mother of two. Both of my kids are Fall babies. The cutoff date here is September 1. They need to be 5 by that date to enter Kindergarten. Kyle missed Kindergarten by 22 days (his B-day is 9/22) but now in the 5th grade he is one of the oldest kids in his class. Definatly an advantage. Trisha's B-day is in Nov and she is also one of the oldest. I vote for the child being the oldest, rather than the youngest. Question is, are the parents wanting their child to enter school early for them....or for the child???

[michnash]

We have a program similar to that in our district, and if it is like ours, it is like a preschool. They learn their colors, numbers, etc., but also how to get along with others and do daily things like hand-washing, etc. I think they try to give the children lots of different experiences to build their knowledge base. I don't have a set opinion on if it is good or bad. It depends on the child. Even regular kindergarten in Texas is not compulsory, which means you don't have to send your child to kindergarten at all. Personally, my son learned more and grew more in kinder than in first or second grade! It depends on the teacher, too. I know I'm not being much help...it's a good thing unless the child is really on target (but maybe just didn't show it in the testing) and you think the child's learning might be slowed by being in a remedial setting. (As opposed to being enriched at home or in other learning situations.)

[Cruella]

I believe that you have to go with your gut instinct and take into account how well the child in question will adapt. My older son's b-day is 10/29 and so he started kindergarten when he was 4. He was just not ready for this experience, even though he had attended preschool for a year, and we ended up keeping him in kindergarten for a second year, when he was more comfortable. We felt this was the best thing to do for him.

Sometimes parents just have to trust their instincts and do what they think is best for the child they know and love so much.

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Cruella ºoº
"...where the young at heart, of all ages, can laugh and play and learn, together!"

Cruella