PreK or Preschool? A parental quandry.

[PollyannaMom]

I agree that preschool should be about fun and learning to be part of a class, so if you like her friends at her current preschool, I would keep her there. I started Kindergarten when I was 4, and like other people said, did very well with the work, but didn't catch up socially for a long time. If you think she needs a challenge, I vote for music lessons!

 

[Tinkmom75]

I say Private Pre-K if you can make it happen. Why,
1. children are sponges at this age.
2. There can be plenty of time for play and education.
3. She seems to want to learn more! Give her the gift of knowledge and feed her appetite for learning.

4. My DS(11) 134 IQ is so bored at school he actually doesn't try and put in effort. Why, he was never challenged in school. I feel very strongly if he would have had to put effort into school work earlier he might have learned to try harder. We are constantly struggling to meet his needs and I personally (though I do not tell him) think he is a gifted underachiever. I am hoping that Middle School will be better and fullfill his appetite for learning. The public school pretty much fought me all the way with him. You see he is a great student to have in his current grade cause he pretty much gets 100% on all the standardized tests. This makes the school look pretty good.

5. If she is truely gifted, then these kids like to associate with peers that understand them to their level of thinking. Does that make sense?

Try http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/

Now I was hesitant to believe that my son was gifted due to comments like the previous poster about how every parent thinks their child is gifted. I waited too long to advocate for my child. Well, you know your child best. Listen to your heart. Ask the teacher's oppinion. Good Luck

 

[Aristomommy]

Here is what I suggest, as my DD was in the exact situation some years ago. I would find a play based preschool that does only a little bit academics, but that is not the entire focus. Then on your own time, progress your child's academic skills. DD was a sponge at that age and read chapter books before Kindergarten. Her preschool teacher would hand her a book to read during the teaching time, but otherwise they focused on social skills. I have friends who have done this with their quick learners and it has worked better than any academic situation. No matter how rigorous the program is, it will not satisfy a gifted or an early learner child.

Then when these kids develop more maturity, they will do better in regular learning environments. But at 3 or 4, they often misbehave when they are bored. HTH

 

[justhat]

I would do the pre-k cause that doesn't mean she needs to start K next year. It's an option, but not a requirement, right? Or even if she does their K next year, you can always put her in public K the next year if you feel it's too rigid, too much work, or whatever. Yes, she'll be advanced if you do that, but being a different school I'm sure she'd be fine with the chance to just socialize with the other kids and make new friends.

FWIW, my daughter is in a Montessori school and she's now 5.5yo. She'll be the oldest kid in her class this year and she's probably a little advanced for someone going into K (which is essentially the grade she's in, though called 3rd year primary in Montessori) in that she can read, write in cursive, do basic addition, knows a ton of geography (like the countries in Africa based on their location on the map, continents, etc.), but I wouldn't say she's any sort of genius and she's definitely not bored in her classroom.

There is, however, a 4.5yo whose mother says she is bored and she wants her to be in the "K" program (so 3rd year primary like my daughter), but she has a January birthday so they won't take her in September. The difference is just half day vs. full day, where the full day kids do more advanced work in the afternoon with individual lessons. Anyway, her mom complained to the teacher and school that she wanted her to get more advanced work and the teacher said she really feels the child should just work on being 4yo and socializing and playing with the other kids. She can already read, write (at least in print, not sure on cursive), and I think do some basic math. The mom is afraid she'll become even more bored and then become a problem kid, but the teacher doesn't think that will happen and is really more focused on socializing at this point.

 

[star sweeper]

We are struggling with this with our children. My DS is an August b-day and DD is a November birthday. They are only 3 months apart, but DS can start K at age 5, while DD must wait until age 6 (Sept 1 cut-off). I agree that giving your child another year of childhood is a wonderful gift. I would tend to hold a child back if I could because it will be to his/her advantage in middle and high school. Our decision is compounded by other issues related to adoption. Do we want our children constantly compared if we wait to start DS with DD? Do we want them to constantly be explaining how they are not twins, but are the same age to classmates? Some of these issues could be resolved by starting DS a year earlier, so we have much to consider in addition to readiness.

I would advise you to find an alternative program that challenges your child, and delay K until it is appropriate to send her.