If you haven't noticed, I definitely use this blog as somewhat of a parenting sound off :) I hope you don't mind. Everyone loves sharing advice, right?!
If you saw my video post of Sophie reading, I should update you - she's progressing so fast in reading. Last night, she read three chapters of The Magic Treehouse on her own. We have read the first 15 books together and last night she finished one without me :(
I used to worry that Sophie might be a bit of a lazy bones because she would never run as much as other kids. She's always been cautious, but I could tell her energy level wasn't where other kids were. But now I realize that she's just a bookworm. She'd rather read for an hour than run around playing tag. It will be interesting to see as she grows older if she enjoys organized sports as much as Adam and I did, but now that we've realized where her strong interests lie, I'm wondering how much to support that...which brings me to my dilemma.
Most of Sophie's friends since we've lived here (which is nearly all her life) have been older. A new family recently moved a few houses from us and Sophie quickly fell in love with their daughter Carly. I introduced myself to Carly's mom again at church soon after they moved in to get her phone number since they were always playing together and it had worried me that Sophie went to the park with Carly without me knowing. It turns out, Carly was so nervous at church that day and Sophie went up to her and said, "Don't worry Carly, you'll make friends so fast!" What a grown up thing to say! When I explained my worry about Sophie going to the park without telling me, I shared that Sophie is only 4. Carly's mom assumed she was a small 6 yr old.
SO, the girl is socially and academically ahead of her game. I feel like I need to be more aware of the opportunities for her to learn and expand her knowledge as much as possible, but of course without pushing her. She still has one year before she's allowed to start kindergarten. I don't know of a preschool that is going to be teaching at the level she's ready for and by the time she does get to kindergarten, I'll worry she'll be bored out of her mind. HELP!
Here is what I have found so far...
1) There is an online preschool program called UPSTART. They send jump drives with the lessons and you mail them back and get new ones as you are ready for them - I think. I haven't gotten the full scoop yet, but it seems like it would allow her to go at her own pace AND get her totally ready for kindergarten as far as curriculum goes.
2) Virtual k-7 program that is offered through the state. It is our school district that won't allow her to start kinder early, so I figure the state-wide online program might let her start early. I'm attending a presentation about this next week.
3) Homeschool kindergarten this coming year (or better yet, pay my neighbor to homeschool her ;)
4) Don't worry about it. She'll be in Let's Play Music and have social interaction there. And maybe do a dance class as well. She would love to be in dance. We can pick up workbooks that she can do at home when she wants to, but not push it. We go to the library about every other week for her to get new books.
I just don't know what the best option is and I don't want to spend money on preschool if she doesn't NEED it. I'd rather go with a less expensive want - which would be dance.
It's so hard to make this decision because I don't have a kid in school yet. HELP!
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3 comments:
Ellie was a lot the same--reading very well by age 4 and way above her peers....since I made the decision to wait and put her in when she was "supposed" to go, I have not once regretted it. She loved Kindergarten, and I thought the things she learned there were priceless (socially, academically, etc.). I worried that always being the youngest (a whole year younger than some of her classmates) would be frustrating the older she got: the last to drive, the last to date, etc...and as it is, she loves being the oldest and continues to be ahead, instead of behind....it's totally your call, but if there are other experiences out there for Sophie to enjoy while she has the time (i.e. no homework, no deadlines to meet) I think it will only make her even more well-rounded. She'll be in school for 13+ years as it is, why rush it? And, if she really is advanced, her teacher is going to realize it and may suggest moving her ahead at some point in her schooling. Good luck!
As a mom who had both her kids in school before I had my little princess two months ago I say enjoy her at home while you can. Before you know it she'll be heading off to school and that's where she'll spend the majority of her days for the next decade. Encourage her to try activities like dance, gymnastics and music. If she picked up reading that fast she could probably learn to read music really quickly as well. My sister teaches piano lessons in the ranches for super cheap so maybe give that a shot. They say music makes your kids even smarter so she'll be brilliant! I love that little girl and miss seeing her every Sunday. :)
I totally understand where you are coming from. Thanks to Upstart Davis was reading chapter books when he started kindergarten. And I was told that he could skip kindergarten and start in 1st grade. But we choose to not because of the social part. Which I am glad we didn't because he did in deed have a harder time with groups of people. (He is big on doing stuff by himself). If I were you though I would do a charter/private school. The public school system does not allow you to give your child the books at the level that they are at. Davis was bringing home the dumbest books and it was a waste of time all year long. They don't push your kids to do better because of the "no child left behind" which is a bunch of crap. Sorry, a sore subject. I hope you really research your stuff and find what works best for you. But I highly recommend the private school because they will give your child the work at the level they are at and not their age. Good luck!!
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