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Kindergarten Vs. Developmental Kindergarten
roses25
Posts: 567
Our school is starting a developmental kindergarten program this year. The kids that are not ready for kindergarten will go into developmental kindergarten and then the next year do regular kindergarten before moving onto 1st grade. At this point it is not required, and DK vs. K is parental choice.
I need some opinions here.
Last year I took Aiden to school and he did some screenings and they recommended him for K. His preschool teacher (had her for 2 years) recommended him for K also.
Today I found out they are suggesting DK for him. I'm not for sure what caused the change in decision for him from last year, but I'm guessing it had quite a bit to do with the melt down that he had basically because I have been placed as support in his classroom for another student (you can read about it in another post on this board if you haven't already).
I was told that they didn't think he would struggle academically, but he is immature socially and very small for his age. I disagree about being small being a reason because another year isn't going to make a big difference for him. Most likely he'll still be smaller than most of the other kindergartener's in a year. He's likely could be picked on for size no matter what class he's in and he's going to have to learn to stand up for himself. He doesn't interact socially in groups like other kids, and I brought that up in several times in preschool as being a concern and they dismissed it saying he just prefers to be an observer. However, I don't think it should take a child until December two years in a row to come out of his shell. Now the 3rd year of school (majority of the kids are the same as the past 2 years) we are once again starting over with holding back socially. However, he is blurting out answers in large groups, so apparently he does feel comfortable enough to share answers. The example they gave was that they were playing a game and the kids skipped him and he never said he it's my turn. I'm sure he knew it was his turn. In my opinion K are new to board games and how to take turns in games should be modeled to K's anyway. To me tis doesn't scream ...not ready for K.
I talked to his speech therapist & ot and they both thought academically he'd be fine because a very bright kid. They also said that if he prefers to be an observer and holds back socially that most likely another year in K (DK & K) won't probably make much of a difference. They suggested going with the preschool teacher's opinion of K because they know him better than these teachers who have only had him for 5 days. His OT actually suggested I request a change of placement so that I'm not in the K classroom with him because for most kids they don't do well when their parent is in the classroom.
Does anyone have any suggestions/thoughts for me to think about as I make up mind one way or another? Aiden's best friends are in K (one because he fits there & the other because the parent is saying no to DK) I've asked for a scope & sequence for both DK & K and haven't received one yet. At this point I'm leaning toward K.
Carolyn
I need some opinions here.
Last year I took Aiden to school and he did some screenings and they recommended him for K. His preschool teacher (had her for 2 years) recommended him for K also.
Today I found out they are suggesting DK for him. I'm not for sure what caused the change in decision for him from last year, but I'm guessing it had quite a bit to do with the melt down that he had basically because I have been placed as support in his classroom for another student (you can read about it in another post on this board if you haven't already).
I was told that they didn't think he would struggle academically, but he is immature socially and very small for his age. I disagree about being small being a reason because another year isn't going to make a big difference for him. Most likely he'll still be smaller than most of the other kindergartener's in a year. He's likely could be picked on for size no matter what class he's in and he's going to have to learn to stand up for himself. He doesn't interact socially in groups like other kids, and I brought that up in several times in preschool as being a concern and they dismissed it saying he just prefers to be an observer. However, I don't think it should take a child until December two years in a row to come out of his shell. Now the 3rd year of school (majority of the kids are the same as the past 2 years) we are once again starting over with holding back socially. However, he is blurting out answers in large groups, so apparently he does feel comfortable enough to share answers. The example they gave was that they were playing a game and the kids skipped him and he never said he it's my turn. I'm sure he knew it was his turn. In my opinion K are new to board games and how to take turns in games should be modeled to K's anyway. To me tis doesn't scream ...not ready for K.
I talked to his speech therapist & ot and they both thought academically he'd be fine because a very bright kid. They also said that if he prefers to be an observer and holds back socially that most likely another year in K (DK & K) won't probably make much of a difference. They suggested going with the preschool teacher's opinion of K because they know him better than these teachers who have only had him for 5 days. His OT actually suggested I request a change of placement so that I'm not in the K classroom with him because for most kids they don't do well when their parent is in the classroom.
Does anyone have any suggestions/thoughts for me to think about as I make up mind one way or another? Aiden's best friends are in K (one because he fits there & the other because the parent is saying no to DK) I've asked for a scope & sequence for both DK & K and haven't received one yet. At this point I'm leaning toward K.
Carolyn
0
Comments
The benefit for holding back was [is] having her be the oldest in her grade instead of the youngest. This was seen as positive for peer pressure both now AND later. Fast forward 10 years and she will be the first to drive in her class. This means that she won't be getting into cars with untrained classmates until a year later. Same thing with dating! As an older child, she should be more confident and more assertive.
The benefit to pushing her ahead was better schooling that year. In the long run though, does it really matter if she graduates at 18 or 19? I'm happy to have my baby with me for one more year!
With Aiden, he is not a special needs child but he is sensitive. If you can get an extra year for him mature and develop without penalty, I'd grab it with both hands!