Worried Mom or rightfully worried?

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 11:55 am

Jackson's new school is ok. I mean they take exceptional care of him. Though we go through moments where he doesn't want to be there, it's just adjustment I'm sure. But the problem I've been having is I feel like he is not getting his educational needs met. They school bases placement on age rather then development. Jackson is in my opinion (I'm sure every mother says this) very bright and absorbs information. I don't want to lose the window of opportunity I have when he can use this. In his classroom they are covering a letter a week. He knows his letters. Practiced writing them last week at home. I'm so worried he isn't getting enough there. Am I just being extremely picky?

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:11 pm

No, I don't think so. You are probably right that most parents think their own kids are exceptional, but if he already knows what they are teaching, then he may just get bored and start to act up. And that's not a habit you want him to get into. I don't think you need to worry about him not learning (you can keep him learning new things) as much as you have to worry about behavioral habits.

Then again, my kids are just 20 months, and don't get any kind of care outside the home, so I can't say I can be sure what I would do in the same situation.

NC43Hog · Post by **NC43Hog** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 12:20 pm

Don't forget NikiH, at Jackson's age he is learning more than just the abc's right now (alot i social interaction with other children as well as adults) so I wouldn't worry.

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:03 pm

I don't think it's anything to worry about either...like NC said...social skills, interaction, learning to share, take turns, raise your hand when you need something, etc. is a big part of school. Jake was way ahead of the other kids too...but he did fine in preschool. Do pay attention though when he starts first grade...if he gets bored and acts up like Cvillehog said...then...discuss higher levels of learning with his teacher.

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:30 pm

When I was a kid, I got bumped past kindergarden and put into first grade because I knew all my stuff an would answer all the questions without giving the other kids a chance.

I can't say that it deeply effected me, but I sometimes wonder about what if I had been left there and been "the smart kid"...

I'm sure that you're son is learning a lot, even if there's some overlap with what he already knows.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 4:02 pm

Yea, definately speak to the administration about higher education. You don't want him to become complacent. I was bored out of my mind in highschool, I got mediocre grades while the world screamed at me that I was capable of better. It wasn't until I got into college that I took off. I needed a challenge, and in highschool I wasn't.

Then again, if my child enjoyed school a bit too much, that would worry me. :lol:

joebagadonuts · Post by **joebagadonuts** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 7:23 pm

the 'teachers' (this is preschool, right?) will balk at speeding up the class just for a couple of kids. so you'll have to get used to supplementing your child's education at home, which i'm pretty sure you do anyway. if you're planning on sending him to public school, then you'll be supplementing for the next decade.

aside from that, i agree with nc43. there's more to learn in school than how to memorize letters. like how to extort smaller kids for their milk money, how to date teachers and get away with it....important stuff like that. stuff that you can use later on in life.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 10:53 pm

SkinsChic wrote:I don't think it's anything to worry about either...like NC said...social skills, interaction, learning to share, take turns, raise your hand when you need something, etc. is a big part of school. Jake was way ahead of the other kids too...but he did fine in preschool.

He had such potential... What happened ? ROTFALMAO

SkinsChic · Post by **SkinsChic** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:56 am

Well, I guess when he ran over that girl with the big wheel things went down hill from there !! LOL

tazlah · Post by **tazlah** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 1:43 pm

Was that when he went for his license??? :shock:

(Sorry, Jake!)

DieselFan · Post by **DieselFan** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 6:07 pm

Skinsfan55 wrote:When I was a kid, I got bumped past kindergarden and put into first grade because I knew all my stuff an would answer all the questions without giving the other kids a chance.

Skipping a grade is probably not the best answer. Myself, I didn't get 'bumped' up, per se. Rather I was sent to kindegarten a year early. And, by the time I got to High School, I was wishing I was kept along w/the other kids. As a Freshman...when everyone else was 15, I was 13. At that age...it's a big difference. As a Senior, I was 16 when everyone else was 18.

The biggest effect his had on me was in baseball. I managed to letter every year and started every game from the my sophomore year to end of Senior year(in Virginia Beach). So I was 13-14-15 year old, playing w/the big boys that were 18 -- and sometimes 19. I've wondered if I had went in along w/the other kids how much better I would have been w/another year.

Now, when I got to college I didn't mind so much because I was a college grad at 21....so I was pretty happy about that .

So...not recommending that you skip a grade...but have you considered:

(1) Private School
(2) After school learning centers (like Sylvan)
(3) Gasp! Home Schooling (even if it's "homeschooling" after regular school to augment what they're learning)
(4) Contracting BringThePain to be an after school tutor?

Pick one of these options, and you should be fine...

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:55 pm

Thanks for all the advice guys. So far we need to get the social stuff under control. Jackson isn't antisocial. He'd just rather socialize with adults. So we are becoming adjusted. And I don't think I'd want BTP tutoring him either Diesel but thanks for the suggestion. lol

BringThePain! · Post by **BringThePain!** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:02 am

whatever... I'd be the coolest teacher he had... we would color, and read books, and scare little girls...it would be fun...

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 12:32 am

BringThePain! wrote:whatever... I'd be the coolest teacher he had... we would color, and read books, and scare little girls...it would be fun...

We? mmmhhmmm... I won't be sending my children to you buddy! :lol:

hailskins666 · Post by **hailskins666** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:27 am

BringThePain! wrote:whatever... I'd be the coolest teacher he had... we would color, and read books, and scare little girls...it would be fun...

:shock: would you teach him to do the moon-walk too????

NikiH · Post by **NikiH** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:11 am

Today he had a major meltdown about going to school. I am sick and I am sure he isn't feeling well so that didn't help. He actually woke up to me getting sick, so that probably started the day off on a bad note. Hopefully we'll get through today and tomorrow will be better.

BringThePain! · Post by **BringThePain!** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:45 am

hailskins666 wrote:
BringThePain! wrote:whatever... I'd be the coolest teacher he had... we would color, and read books, and scare little girls...it would be fun...
:shock: would you teach him to do the moon-walk too????

... no.... I'm GLAD to say I won't be teaching him that... we'll substitute "moon-walking" with "beer chugging"... but don't worry Niki... we'll use root beer the first couple of times...

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 11:11 am

BringThePain! wrote:whatever... I'd be the coolest teacher he had... we would color, and read books, and scare little girls...it would be fun...

Why do you have to keep dragging Smizzy into these things ? ROTFALMAO

welch · Post by **welch** » Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:35 am

Today he had a major meltdown about going to school. I am sick and I am sure he isn't feeling well so that didn't help.

No big deal, and to be expected if he thought you might stay home from work. There are bumps, but the road goes generally upward.