I have a 7 yr-old daughter who is one of the oldest in her 1st grade class. She is very verbal and so, has had an easy time in school, because her reading is already above grade level. We recently moved her to a school outside our neighborhood boundaries because we felt they offered superior writing instruction, which she loves. She writes sometimes, 3 stories per day! I guess I am concerned about our decision to move her to a school that the other neighborhood girls don't attend because she has been saying things like, "I feel different. I am too old for my grade." Socially, I can see that she hasn't really made a strong group of friends, though she plays with different kids a lot. She has also had a very bad health year, because of a really weird illness. She missed some school for surgery and illness and did receive attention (mostly positive) from the other kids. She has said things concerning her illness about "feeling different." I am concerned. Should I move her back to her old school, even though the academic instruction is not as good, so that she can feel more socially comfortable and capable? I know social learning is also important. What can I do to help her through her feelings of being different? When I talk to her teacher, her teacher says our daughter is well-liked and lots of kids want to sit by her in class, etc. I'm not sure if this also happens at recess, because she never really tells me that she plays with one group for too long. She has mentioned several different girls that she has played with, just not consistently. If anything, she seems to make friends more with the adults on the playground, or one boy in the class who I've always considered to be a bit different. What's normal? What's not? How can I help? Your suggestions will really help me to know!!! Thanks, moms!
Hi S.,
Have you tried talking to the school about the issues you feel, if she is above the requirements for her classes they may be able to skip her to the grade more comfortable for her needs. I would also try finding a sport for her to play on a team this could help her more in the social aspects of peers. I hope this helps and gl.
She has been through a lot and that has a tendency to mature people. I don't think putting her back in her old school is the answer. You might get her involved in groups that have kids with older kids. Maybe just a year or two. She is still recovering from her illness too. It takes time to feel totally yourself after a major illness.
C. B
I would definitely explore whether your daughter is "talented and gifted" developmentally. If so, some schools have the testing to verify this and will allow her to skip a grade so she'll be in a more appropriate learning and social environment. Good luck!
she sounds really smart and maybe "gifted" i was one of these types or kids too, i never really had friends in my grade, they always seemed really young to me. she would probbaly get along better wiht older children or kids that are gifted like her. this is the hard part about being smart as a kid, you have a really hard time feeling understood. help her find a place where she can be with genuine peers. maybe through an after school activity of some kind.
