the difference between 5th grade girls and 4th

[ez]

DD just finished grade 4, she is a straight A gifted student. A couple of girls we know just finished 5th grade, and they seem so much more savy and sophisticated than dd. But then I'm wondering, is it really fair to compare them, maybe that year difference is a bigger deal than I would have thought. Would appreciate any thoughts or comments you might have.

 

[tassie42]

that one year can make a big difference in their development. Next year when she is in 5th grade the 4th graders will seem so little to you!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

The summer between 4th and 5th grade I hit puberty. Everything that could happen to me did! LOL!

I think that year can make a big difference.

 

[Jeafl]

I work at an elementary school (K-5), and in my opinion, there is a pretty big difference between 4th and 5th, especially end of the year 5th graders. The girls seem much more mature, they've been through the sex ed program (at least at our school) and that seems to be the turning point for them. We always do sex ed the last week before spring break, and when they come back from break, it seems like they are different kids. I think 5th graders also start really caring about their appearance more too. I don't notice much difference in the boys, but I definitely do in the girls.

 

[KarenC]

My daughter went to kindergarten a year early, so she was a year younger than everyone in her class. The only year this seemed to be a problem was in fifth grade. I think there is a huge developmental difference between 9 and 10 year old girls. As her classmates were becoming more sophisticated, she was still a little girl. Fortunately, she eventually caught up.