What can I do to help her?
I have a 3 1/2 year old little girl who is very smart. She goes to preschool, but has outgrown the curriculum. Her teacher tries very hard to challenge her so she's not bored, she acts out if she's bored, but the teacher can only do so much for her (she does have other children her age in her class). Her teacher tries to do special activities with her, but they are too frustrating for the other children.
The school put her in an older class yesterday, as a trial period, she was suppose to go the rest of the week. These kids are almost 5 and intimidate her a lot. When we tried to drop her off today she wouldn't go and cried and begged us not to put her in there. We took her to her normal class and decided it's not worth the emotional damage if its going to be like that.
So, I guess my question is, what activities can I have her do that will challenge her, but allow her to stay in her normal class? I'm think that maybe I can work with her teacher on these new activities.
Some things that she is doing now: she knows how to write her name, all letters, and learning some other words. Knows the sounds of the letters, is starting to sound them out to make words. Really smart with the computer.
Send her to a montessorri school. They are geared toward smart kids, and they are very competitive in their prices versus other preschools that you could send her to. I had the same problem with my 3 1/2 year old, but now she is doing great. It is a mixed age grouping, with 3-5 year olds.
Wow! My son is just like this. Do you work while she is in pre-school?
With my son, we tried pre-school and had the same issues. To the point where the teacher told us "There is something wrong with your son and I can't handle him. He's not welcome back because he's disruptive to the class." The difference is that your daughter's teacher is obviously willing to work with her, and that makes the most difference. Despite that, she can obviously only do so much.
Things we have done with our son:
~Homeschooling. He does phenominally better and is learning so much more and at almost four, can write most letters and sound out basic 1-4-letter words.
~Homeschool co-op preschool. The teachers all have children who are unique learners, individually gifted, or special needs. The classes are structured and children who are willing to do more are given more.
~Computer. We have a non-internet-hooked up PC with games like Reader Rabbit, phonics games, math games. He can play almost at his leisure. We also allow him to play certain games online (sproutletsgrow.com, bigidea.com, nickjr.com-with supervision, noggin.com, etc...) There are plenty of interesting things on those sites.
Consider giving her some pre-made activities to take with her to class, like a more challenging art project, handwriting practice sheets, and brain- and skill-boosting activities - like smaller-sized legos, playdough, dominoes, stuff that the teacher can supervise her doing while still being somewhat hands-off for the teacher so she can still attend to the regular class.
The teacher should of known that she wouldn't go into the class right away. What is supposed to happen when going from one class into another is what is called transition. That is when the child stays in her class, but like at snack time the other teacher goes in and asks if she would like to join her. The new teacher needs to get to know your child or your child needs to get to know another child that is very frendly that way your child will want to go into the class and play with that child. Have the other teacher treat that student that is going to get to know your child their special helper. That gets them really excited and also at snack time that is what your child can be is the teachers special helper with helping with snack time. I used to work in a daycare so that is how I know that you have to do the transition period, but the child is not supposed to be there all day just during snack or a activity.Hope that you understand and that it helps.
There is a series of books called "Bob Books" you can pick up at any large bookstore. They are for 4-year-old beginning readers, but your daughter would probably do well with them. Also educational items like a Leapster, puzzles of any kind (geography would be great), and new computer games.
Here's an article I just ran across regarding this:
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/preschooler/psp...
My daughter is 4, and just went through this. At this point, she is supposed to start K in the fall, but is testing at first grade levels. What's worse is that she's the youngest of her class, since her birthday is in August. We have decided to homeschool her.
So, I really really like educational toys. It gives her the chance to stretch her mind and have fun. Blocks, costumes, play food, puzzles, things like that. I do buy My Little Ponies and Barbies, too, because she can imagine with them, but it's a limited part of her play time (by choice).
Check out discovery toys- their stuff is almost totally educational.
It sounds to me as if your kid could have a higher IQ. I know we all think about how smart our kids are, but I have actually met kids with higher IQ and your case sounds familiar. Of course this is just a thought (I'm not an expert on the field and there are other characteristics for gifted children). My guess is she finishes her tasks too quickly and has too much time on her hands. I know there are schools for gifted children in Denver and they may have tests to make sure that's the right environment for her. Make your homework (do some research) and don't push your little one.
I don't know if you have in in Montessori now but I would highly recommend it. This way she can have the activities that keep her entertained while other kids can do other things.
J.,
I agree that Montessori school sounds like a much better option for your child and I commend you for wanting the best for your child and continuing to look toward her future. But please do not lose sight of the fact that she is only 3 years old. I think we are such a competitive society that we are starting to push our children to be the best and never really let our kids just be kids. The most important thing any child can learn is that they are loved, they are safe, they are special and that are responsible for their own actions. Those things are not taught in school, they are taught at home. Everything else will come in due time.
So if her preschool is boring and the older class is too intimidating, maybe she needs to go somewhere where there is not any curriculum and she has time to just enjoy being a kid. There will be plenty of time for schooling in the years to come. Maybe she needs a daycare where she is outdoors more and able to learn in a more active way about the world around her.
These are just my thoughts and I wish you the best
In my opinion, preschool is a little early to be worried about pushing your children academically. Preschool should be more about dealing with peers, getting used to having a teacher, a schedule, etc. You may want to look into Montessori schools, that philosophy emphasizes child-led learning and the teaching tools they use adapt to whatever level the child is that.
For instance, letters made out of sandpaper are used to first teach sounds, and then the kids combine then to make words, sentences, etc.
Also, kids often time like to help out younger students or peers learn - maybe she could be a "teacher's helper" with the younger students at the preschool?
Good luck to you! Kim
