Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee, My 5 year old is extremely bright. She started reading when she was 4 and though she just started kindergarten she is already reading at a second grade level. Her vocabulary is even more impressive. She is inquisitive, and seems to soak up knowledge like a sponge. She is outgoing, and makes friends easily and is tall for her age. The question has been raised on whether to move her up to first grade now, skipping kindergarten. What are the pros and cons on skipping grades? Is there any consensus opinion within the child development community on this issue? Signed, Have Bright 5 year old Dear Have, Academically advanced children need to be challenged in a learning environment with similar peers. You didn't specify in which state you live, but most public school districts have a gifted or highly capable program within the school system. Parents must apply to have their children tested. Children are not usually assessed until after starting kindergarten for qualification into the program the following year. If they qualify, the parent can then request their child be placed in the gifted class with similar peers learning a grade level or more ahead. If your school district does not have such a program, then look into private gifted schools in your area. Home schooling is another option and one advocated by some gifted organizations. However, if you would like to stay at your current school even though it does not have a gifted program, then moving her a grade level ahead may be the best solution. Generally, gifted children experts feel a gifted child's social and emotional age is closer to their mental age than to their actual age. As long as the school and her teacher are supportive, and the child doesn't mind, then skipping a grade shouldn't present a problem. For good resources about gifted children, see the Hoagies Gifted Education Page at www.hoagiesgifted.org or the National Association for Gifted Children at www.nagc.org |
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