Kindergarten Maps Globes
Kid starting Kindergarten – how to approach teacher?
My 5 yr old is starting Kindergarten at our public school in Aug. She can read chapter books, write stories with 15 sentences, add 23 + 8 .. subtract 17-9, knows about science(water cycle, butterflies,seasons), social studies (map, globe, USA, east/west coast, world, solar system..), plays well, shares, socializes, participates.
I don’t think she is gifted, just ahead, smart and got the right start. I don’t want her to skip Kindergarten. The teacher she will have is affectionate, warm but not much into challenging kids who are ahead.
Question is: What can Kindergarten teachers do to keep such kids interested? What can I ask the teacher to have my kid do?
I am hoping if I have specific request/suggestions, she might be able to try some of them.
I do realize the teacher has 20 students, and that my kid will learn valuable social and “following rules” skills. But, what specific things can I request of the teacher and how to phrase them?
It is nearly impossible for public school teachers to give their students the customized education they need/deserve. They do their best with what they have.
Honestly, I would imagine (based on teachers I know, and parents that have been in situations similar to yours) the teacher is only going to view you as a pushy mother…they generally (not all teachers) feel that EVERY parent thinks their child is smart/ahead/etc. and pretty much dismiss the notion that the parent presents.
Have you considered homeschooling your daughter? My oldest daughter was very similar to yours when she was Kindergarten age. It is part of the reason we decided to homeschool-she would have been bored in the school setting. She can still learn to follow rules and socialize with other children by going to playgroups, joining Scouts or another activity, etc. You can also get together with other homeschoolers in your area.
If you do not want to homeschool, then I would just have a friendly chat with the teacher for the first conversation and tell her some of your concerns and ask if/how she can/will address them. After you determine how she is going to take it, then you can create a list. Just knwo that she might not be able to accomodate your daughter.
You can always do what they call “after schooling”, which is where a parent essentially homeschools a child after school. In the upper grades I think that can be too much on a child, but at the Kindergarten age it can probably be done without causing y our daughter much stress.
I wish you the best!