I know, I know, I've been a slacker and haven't posted forever. So, if any of my friends or family still check this blog, someone MIGHT see this new post. I'm hoping someone does, because I need some advice. I'm posting some pictures of Alli and her graduation from preschool. Let me give a bit of background and then I'll ask my question.
Todd and I have known for a while that Alli is a sharp cookie. She has been reading for a while now and seems to pick up math like it's a second language. She will be 6 in October, only one month after she starts Kindergarten. We asked the school if teachers will be able to keep her challenged enough. My concern is that her learning momentum would slow if she is just learning letters, sounds, shapes and sounding out beginning sight words, which is what she would do in K. After numerous meetings, testings and discussions with the principal, school psychologist and teachers, the results are in. As predicted, she tested high. She is reading at a mid-2nd grade level and tested 98% on a year-end Kindergarten exam. Some of her testing even "aged" her as a 9-year-old. Now, there are things she needs to work on like writing in complete sentences and her comprehension of stories. The consensus of the education professionals is that she would do fine skipping to 1st grade OR they can keep her challenged enough in K if that was the route we chose. They support us either direction, which is a surprise because I've heard that it is usually a battle to get your child skipped. They suggested a 2-week trial in 1st grade.
Now my dilemma: Academically I think she is ready to be advanced into 1st grade. Even socially I think she could handle it right now. In fact, if you were to ask her, she wants to go to school all day. She wants to be in 1st grade, but I don't think she fully grasps what that will mean. She is older than most of her friends right now who she would enter K with. If I were simply thinking about NOW, it's a no-brainer. BUT, it's the future that I worry about. I've talked to many people who say it was a confidence-builder to be the oldest in their grade. If we advance Alli, she would be the youngest. In high school, she would be the last to drive and date (I'm fine with this by the way), but I don't know what kind of impact that would have on her self-esteem. She might be fine. It would also be nice to have Kendra in the same jr. high and high school for a year with her. The pressure I feel is that we are essentially choosing her friends for her now. The girls she has been playing with in the neighborhood will be in K. Her church class is full of girls who will be going into 1st grade, BUT since Alli hasn't been in the same grade as them, they haven't befriended her yet. So if we advance her, she essentially won't see the friends she has been playing with. I know, this all sounds so silly while I write it down, but it has been really weighing on my mind.
So, I'm looking for advice. For those of you who know Alli, what do you think? We have been praying about it. I even tried to go to the temple a few weeks ago at 6 a.m. only to find out the temple was closed for cleaning. We will get there, but in the meantime, I thought I'd see what you all thought.
6 comments:
Hello Mel. I have google reader, so I saw that you had a new post. I can see your concern, it's sounds like a lot of tough decisions. Academically, if she is that advanced and can handle it...I say do it. She is still young enough that you can help her with adjusting to friends/building her confidence and self esteem. I was the youngest in my class. I did not drive/date until my Junior year. Being the youngest was not hard on my self esteem, just annoying that my friends were driving/dating a full year before I could! Then again, there are a ton of people, like me, who had to wait until their Junior year. Either way, I know you'll make the best decision for her and be at peace with you choice. Love ya!!
I say go for it! Jake is the same way...reading on a second grade level and picks things up really fast. Socially, I was the youngest in my grade, and I loved it! I graduated when I was 17... and to me, that was cool. yes, the dating and driving thing might stink for her, but she's a tough chick...she'll get through it! You guys will make the best decision and she will be fine with it either way. Good luck and keep updating so we know what you decided!!! Love Ya!
Hi Melody. I'm like Amberlynn, I was the youngest in my class and couldn't date/drive until my junior year and it was fine. I graduated HS at 17 and even started college at 17...there are major perks when you're able to finish your 4 yr. college degree at 20! I think Alli would do great and learn to get along with the church friends once she started school. Good luck!
Well, just drop kick her in to first grade and run as fast as you can! No really, I think that she'll do great. It will be a little sad for Hannah, but contrary to her belief the world does not revolve around her! I know you'll do what's best for her!
I think I mentioned to you that my J is the same way. This year his K teacher said she had never had to reading test a kid as high as he was reading, so she wasn't sure how to do it. I kind-of wish we had skipped him, since he came home saying "we learned this or that today- but I already knew it" an awful lot. But, he is already on the tail end of his age group, and we don't think he was socially or emotionally ready to move up- just academically advanced. He has been learning to multiply while the other kids are learning to match numbers to the correct number of items. I would probably say do it- or be prepared to work with her at home instead to keep her challenged. I think the teachers try their best (and I have no complaints with J's teacher- she was great to work with), but when you have kids who are reading at a third grade level, and kids who don't know any of their letters, it is pretty hard to balance. Our class sizes definitely contribute to the problem, in my opinion.
I think if Ali is academically and socially ready that 1st grade would be the best thing for her! Ali's a good girl and would choose good friends whether she is in K or 1st grade! Whatever decision you make will be the right one. She'll adjust either way. I was one of the youngest in my class and it didn't bother me at all! In fact, it was kind of nice because all of my friends made sure I always had a ride. And starting college at 17 was pretty cool! Good luck with your decision! Love your guts! :)
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