What Do You Do with a 4 Year Old That Can Read??

MY son went to K knowing how to read. About half of the kids knew how.
There's a lot more to K that learning to read! He most likely won't be bored. K is a lot of learning rules, and social interaction, and staying in a routine and learning a schedule..then there's math, grammar....science....Spanish....LOTS!

All of the kindergartens that I have ever observed have different groups for different reading levels. The instruction is taught in small groups based on ability.

Reading is one thing. How are his math skills? - at the same level as kids his age? Or at the level of a 1st grader? My thought would be that they would have to see him advanced across all subject areas before allowing him to skip a grade.

Well, I think your teacher is wrong about kids never starting kindergarten already being able to read. Both of our daughters learned to read when they were 4 and were reading simple chapter books when they entered kindergarten. Also, when I was teaching there were several years that we had kindergarten students that could already read. Most schools divide kids up for reading time (low, middle, and high readers) so that all kids needs can be met.

My oldest son could read in Kindergarten and he never seemed bored or disruptive. There were lot's of other things to keep him busy.

You worry too much Lisa, he will do fine. No he won't be bored because they have other activities besides reading in class. And when he does read, he will be so proud of himself that he CAN read I think he will do so well. Keep encouraging him and buy him books, maybe a book he can take to school that he likes, and at recess, he can read it if he needs the stimulation.

The teachers will deal with the disruption if it occurs (and I doubt it will happen often) and they will come to understand his needs as they get to know him better. They might offer extra curricular activities for him so he does not get bored.

Your boy seems like a real smart boy! He will do just fine

He may be ahead in reading and that's great. But, k does a lot more than just reading. It is the beginning of learning the ropes of school, order, math, computer and social skills.

Most children even out over time. They may excel in 1 area now and decline on that area only to excel in another or complete even out.

They learn at different stages. I sub teach ( 10+ yrs, same school), and I see a lot of mom scared because they think their kid is above and beyond everyone in the class and before the first 9 weeks is over, they realize how important K is as a beginning step toward a successful experience.

Take your time, don't push but don't hold back, simply engage him in lots of areas.

Keep in mind, they grow up very fast! It seems like yesterday my 16 yr old was in K and we are actively visiting colleges and colleges contacting her routinely. They'll be grown up before you know it.

Slow down and enjoy your ride... :)

Updated

He may be ahead in reading and that's great. But, k does a lot more than just reading. It is the beginning of learning the ropes of school, order, math, computer and social skills.

Most children even out over time. They may excel in 1 area now and decline on that area only to excel in another or complete even out.

They learn at different stages. I sub teach ( 10+ yrs, same school), and I see a lot of mom scared because they think their kid is above and beyond everyone in the class and before the first 9 weeks is over, they realize how important K is as a beginning step toward a successful experience.

Take your time, don't push but don't hold back, simply engage him in lots of areas.

Keep in mind, they grow up very fast! It seems like yesterday my 16 yr old was in K and we are actively visiting colleges and colleges contacting her routinely. They'll be grown up before you know it.

Slow down and enjoy your ride... :)

My daughter was reading at 4 also. A GREAT reader. She still LOVES to read.

She stayed busy. But, I would definitely talk to the teacher about how they plan to handle (what accommodations you could get?) the assigned reading homework. That was the worst for my daughter. They assigned a certain number of pages in a book for them to read with the parents at night for homework (in kindergarten and first grade both). My daughter HATED that. She found the stories boring and the reading was beneath her skill level by far, so she just read as fast as she could to get it over with. In fact, we never "sat together" for her to do her reading homework. She'd climb in the car at pick-up time and get out her book and read it before we got out of the traffic in the parking lot. I'd just initial the pages or sign her sheet or whatever, b/c I knew she read it all correctly, even without looking at the book WITH her.
Just be careful when hubby takes him in public bathrooms, lol. I'm sure the probably have as much crappola written on the walls as in the women's stalls.... my daughter used to read it out loud to me!!!

My son entered kindergarten this year as a FLUENT reader (about 3rd grade level). He's one of two high readers in his class and there are a handful of other kids who entered school reading more at the K-1 level.

He is THRIVING in kindergarten. They are in leveled groups for reading, so he's with the one other kid and they work on vocabulary and writing responses to stories etc. He's learning a ton about following the rules, sitting still, minding his own business etc. Academically he could have been in first grade LAST year, but the thing about bright kids is they KEEP learning. If you have your son skip kindergarten, all he does is miss that year. He will be at a disadvantage because his classmates will be older, more mature, more able to sit and follow directions, and will have had that kindergarten year together.

As a mama who's been there, my advice is to let him have kindergarten with his peers. Nothing bad ever came of being the smartest kid in the class. :)

Hope this helps.
T.

Not only would he not be ready socially or developmentally for first grade, there is a lot more they learn in K and 1st than reading. Your son may be slightly ahead in reading in K (other kids often can read by than as well), but that does not mean he will be ahead, or even at level, in the many other areas they cover. and it is not about just being able to sit and listen. Look, we all would like to think that our child is somehow special or better, but he is right in line with many other kids his age, and by the end of K the other kids will all be up to his level in reading as well.

I don't think it's all that rare for a 4 year-old to be reading. Advanced, yes, but not unheard of. My son began reading at 4 and so were several of the other kids in his preschool class. My son just turned 5 in October, so he's been reading for quite awhile now, and he doesn't start Kindergarten until the fall because of his birthday. I was also worried about him being bored, etc...but have realized that he will do better socially as one of the oldest kids. So there is that advantage, and while the academic material will likely come easy for him, I don't think he'll be bored.

For the summer, try some 1st-2nd grade activity books for him to do.

Reading skills vary widely all through elementary school. The teachers should be able to deal with with the differing ability levels with reading groups at different levels. My daughter was way behind "grade level" in reading up until 3rd grade. Now in 4th grade she is in the highest reading group and has tested at an "8th grade" reading level.

Age at which children begin reading does not = "smartness" at all. Reading ability variations are a result of the variety of brain development patterns. Then there are all the other academic subjects...

And, I would advise paying attention to your tendency to compare your two children, and to compare them to others (how do you measure "the top of the class" in Kindergarten??). Reading ability at age 4 is one small measure of a student's future success.

A child must learn not only cognitive skills such as math, language and reading, but also social skills (sharing toys, following directions, waiting his turn), emotional skills (remaining calm when something doesn't go his way), physical skills (fine motor for handwriting and art, large motor for running, climbing and even dancing). Learning aesthetic skills, such as art and music, are essential as well, though some schools are better equipped than others in the arts. So really, reading is only one component of a well-adjusted, well-rounded child. Gifted children are usually not advanced in all areas, especially emotional. One way to help your child develop in all areas is to make sure he's exposed to music instruction. Music activates all areas of the brain at the same time, so it's an efficient way accomplish this whole-child development. Your son is the right age for Kindermusik, a terrific music-and-movement program for children through age 6. He will learn to listen, move, play music in an ensemble, explore instruments, and read music (something he will probably find really easy). Music helps calm and coordinate an active brain.

What? That is totally not true.. There are many children that start Kinder reading. Our daughter could read at 4 and I did not even realize it..

In our daughters kinder class (Public neighborhood school) MOST of the children could read and a few could not..Some did not read until the Christmas Break. There was even one boy reading on a 5th grade level.. The librarian had to search for books he could understand and were appropriate because he was only 5. By the end of kinder our daughter was reading on a second grade level with the comprehension.

At the elementary school our daughter was at, the teachers did an evaluation and gave the students work that would challenge whatever level that child was on. Our daughters "Packet" was at her level, but some children had other packets to fit their needs.

Be very careful about moving a young child up a full grade, especially a boy child who has never been in school all day before. The point to kinder is to get them prepared to attend school, follow the rules for the school and socially and to expose them to a wide variety of subjects, working in groups and independently.

I would speak with the Lead kinder teacher about this. Or the Principal.. Find out exactly how it works when a child can already read when entering kinder.

That's great that he can read at age 4. My daughter began reading at 4 1/2 and my husband and I were thrilled. She learned to read while I was teaching her our preschool curriculum at home. I homeschool so all I had to do was just keep her progressing to the next level with the material I presented so she didn't get bored. Now she's in 1st grade reading very well and excelling in all areas of academics. I just take her to the library once a week and we pick out books that I read when I was in 3rd and 4th grade. This helps supplement her curriculum without moving her to the next grade level.
I highly discourage you from moving your child to the next grade level, but do supplement his learning at home. Recent studies on Fox News have helped me see that it may not be such a good idea to push a child ahead of his grade level even if he is able to perform the skills because of lacking emotional maturity.

So many kids go to preschool now and a lot of them enter kindergarten already able to read. I'd be very surprised if the school does not have a plan for those kids.

I don't think you have to worry. My son is also going to start kindergarten next year and already knows how to read (birthday is May 2007). I talked to his preschool teacher about it last week and she said he absolutely will not be bored in kindergarten. There is so much more for them to do besides just reading/learning to read. Math, science, social studies, art, etc. Plus, just learning to follow the rules and directions is an important skill at this age. Your son will love it.

I would not recommend putting him in the same grade as your daughter. That is bound to cause problems as they get older.

My son also started reading at 4. He's now in kindergarten, and the teacher is definitely keeping him challenged. It really depends on the teacher and the school's philosophy though. I would speak with the school counselor to find out what the options are...possibly pull-out to first grade just for reading, or can the kindergarten teacher work one-on-one with him? Our elementary school is moving away from reading groups and working more individually with the kids, so it doesn't matter how advanced they are, they can still be challenged. However, I will say that the first 6 weeks or so you will probably have to work on reading at home, because the teacher won't know his ability yet. I highly recommend not skipping kindergarten, because the behavioral expectations between kinder and first grade are a big leap. Also, kindergarten is not just about reading, so there will be many other subjects to learn about and keep your son's attention. And again, if he's more advanced in the other areas, teachers can usually extend the lessons and teach more advanced skills to the kids who are ready. Communication with the teacher will be key to making sure your son is being appropriately challenged.

My daughter's pre-k teacher feels she is reading at a 4th grade level she is only 4 years old. We have the same concerns when she enters kinder. This part of her brain has been so advanced that even prior to 2 years old she already showed many signs of an early reader. She has many other interest such as maps, countries, states, capitals, science etc.. However, her math, writing skills and social skills are very average for her age. I have spoke to the principle at the elementary school and he assured me they will teach her based on level and have her help other children. We will have to see how it plays out. I was told that some of these kids 'level out' by the 3rd grade but only time will tell. We do not have a gifted and talented program so my advice is to stay involved and work with the teachers. Unfortunately, we can not afford private or a Montessori school but we do have a great public school system. We currently have her enrolled in a Spanish class (for about a year now) with two other older childen and plan to supplement with outside classes to keep her challenged. Best of luck with your son it is a lot of work!

Without reading the other responses, here is my opinion:
Yes - he is ahead of the game, as far as his reading skills go - if you define reading by recognizing and pronouncing words (and not by deeper comprehension).

However, there is often a HUGE gap in the skills and abilities of students in the same grade and teachers differentiate for that. For word study, she can give your son a different list than the other students. He can have harder books for independent reading. In whole group activities, they often focus on comprehension, and he still can develop there. In some cases (and lots of parents hate this but I think its great) he may be assigned to help another student. I like the "helper" role, in limited settings, because I think 1)It reinforces current understanding 2)Increases confidence and 3)Develops a nice citizen.

Most of Kindergarten is about learning rules and routines and how to function in school - how to socialize and share and take turns, how to listen to the teacher and do "work." I think jumping him into first grade would be stressful on him, if he has trouble sitting still, and maybe cause him to lack confidence.

I think its VERY common for there to be a wide range of skills and abilities in a class, and your son's kindergarten teacher should easily be able to accommodate him. I would regularly check in with the teacher to see how he is doing, and to see what she is doing to differentiate for him.

Good luck,!

I work in a k/1 class - we have kinders that can read. My daughter was 4 when she could read, when she was in kinder it was only her and another boy that were proficient readers. Come first grade she was at a 4th grade level and did great, they group kids by ability at her school so she was in the higher reading group and she got material at her level/yet appropriate for her age. She is in 3rd grade now and can read anything I can read. Again, she is still in the highest reading group and she is doing great. I'd say as long as your in a school that doesn't hold back the high learners you'll be fine. As far as what to do with him? Just continue to encourage reading. Comperhension is a big deal. You'll find the kids who read at high levels, end up getting reading material that is beyond their comperhension so it's important to find something they understand. Reading books at his level, below his level, above his level will all do him good. Then in 1st grade he'll learn that there is a beginning, middle and an end to a story. He'll learn how to summarize a story. He'll learn how to write about what he just read. I wouldn't move him up. My daughter was more than ready academcially to go to 1st grade. But I'm a firm believe that a child should be 5 when they start kinder. I have no regrets for making that decision a few years back. I don't think skipping kinder is a good idea. Especially just because a child can read. There is so much to be learned in kinder that will help your son be a better 1st grader and his advanced reading will be a great asset too!

Why worry, when that has not happened yet?
Or why worry that they will be disruptive, when it has not happened yet?

Many Schools, also have a "gifted and talented" program. IF your kids are ahead in reading and they qualify, they can be in that program.

NOW... just because they are advanced in reading... does not mean, they
'have to' be put in a higher grade level. Nor does it mean they will get bored. Nor does it mean, that they are emotionally or socially mature enough... to be in higher grades/skip grades and what not.

I have friends, who's kids are advanced in reading.
Very advanced.
They are in the school's gifted and talented program.
THEY read, higher level books of course.
They behave in class. They have no problems nor any problems or boredom.
Their parent's did not let them skip a grad or two... because... they do NOT want their kids to be, the youngest in a grade level and in other subject areas... their children still were of their age. ONLY their reading was advanced.

The school or teacher... per my daughter's friends and my friend's kids... the Teacher DOES allow them to read... higher level books. Of course.

Now, I would not want, (if that were my children), to be 5 years old and in 1st grade. Why? Because, that is a ton of developmental, differences.
In our district, 1st grade is 6 and 7 year olds.

I also have friends, that skipped their child ahead in grade level... and well, they wish they didn't. Why? Because, their kid is now the youngest in that grade level and the social situations and peer problems and topics of interest they have now... are not... of a child that is younger. It is TEEN stuff. And well, the older kids, they know that kid skipped a grade etc., and well, they don't include the kid in things... because "your'e younger" kind of thing.

Really... do NOT worry about your kids... being bored or being disruptive... because you do NOT know, that that will happen.
For my friends who have advanced kids and did not make them skip a grade... their kids do not make trouble nor are bored. They are fine. And per emotional or social maturity... they are NOT... 1 or 2 grades, ahead.

Being advanced in Reading... does not mean they are ahead or advanced in ALL other... subject areas or developmental ability or control. Nor that their emotional or social ability, is advanced.
Nor that their ability to sit still or listen to direction and be cooperative, is more advanced.

I am currently a first grade teacher and I taught kindergarten for nine years before that. I had kindergartners who could already read all the time. The teacher can/should challenge his academics. When we talk about what grade a child should be in it has almost nothing to do with academic ability. It is all about their social and emotional age. You never want to rush a child because they are smart. Teachers are trained to teach and challenge every level and if they aren't doing that you have a conversation with the teacher. If he is too young socially and emotionally he will have more issues to overcome than being ahead academically. Research shows the younger kids have trouble fitting in and act out more to try to fit in. In my class I can always tell which children are younger even by a few months. I tell parents to not even consider academics as a factor. You don't want him to spend the next 12 years feeling like he can't fit in. Last year in first grade I had four children reading at 5th grade level. Emotionally and socially and developmentally they were first grade. Math concepts have to click too and other skills have to be taught when certain connections in the brain are present. Spend time helping him grow emotionally and socially.

Do not move him up! This will cause issues for your daughter and in the long run your son. Our kindergarten does a lot with reading and i think you will find that kindergarten next year may look a lot different because the State of Michigan is forcing schools to do all day kindergarten, 5 days a week. For your daughter to be in the same grade as her "little brother" would cause her to possibly be picked on by her peers, she wil also feel like she can't compete with him but has to. Don't look for trouble where it may not even exist S.H. had some great points also. Just get both your kids exposed to as many books and be happy they love to read and are good at it!

My daughter was reading independently at three, and did just fine in kindergarten.

My daughter also read at a first/2nd grade level in kindergarten.... There were actually a couple other kids in the class that also read really well. They did not move any of the kids to first grade level as kindergarten is when the teachers focus on getting kids use to school, learner behaviors, social skills, etc. I was fine with this because I didn't want my daughter to feel overwhelmed and wanted her to love school.

What to do? Give him books! :D I could have written this - my 4.5 year old is reading chapter books (my challenge is finding "age appropriate" ones - he can read really well and comprehend big concepts, but in so many other ways, he's still "a 4 year old".) I find the huge disconnect a challenge - including managing my own expectations. Sometimes the extensive vocabulary and clever analytical skills make me feel like I'm dealing with a much more mature individual - so I expect more of him (maturity-wise) on one hand, and then check myself with "he's only 4"...and then I question whether I'm being too lenient, when I KNOW he "gets it".

However, this is about your kid! I, too, worry that my child will be disruptive in class to get attention and alleviate boredom in Kindergarten. I've heard from other parents with like children that developing a relationship with the teacher and staff at the school are key. Help them see your child as a whole and find ways to keep him interested and motivated. I found the other moms' advice helpful - there are so many other skills developing at this age that I'm sure your son will be stimulated in the classroom. Making friends, resolving conflicts, sitting still, waiting your turn, being supportive when others have ideas - will all interest and engage your child.

Good luck! He sounds like a interesting little guy!

Since he is advanced at reading, run with it and teach him social studies, math, and science. Reading is a wonderful thing!

My son read at high school level at 4. Not trying to blow my own trumpet (or his!) but he is extremely gifted in that area. When they tested him going into school, he sat down with the headteacher and they gave him a list of words like cat, and mat, which of course he sailed through, then he moved on to 1st grade words, then second, then third... The headmaster was sort of surprised, and said, "well let's see how far he can go" So he kept going until he ran out of words, he only missed one word "naive" because most 5 year old's don't know what that means!
Anyway, he went into school, and I had the same concerns as you, also because he is very hyper and can be a difficult child - as are most gifted children. Even though he is extremely gifted in reading, he hates to write, and his writing is still not great, also while he does not struggle with math, he is at grade level and no higher. There is way more to school than reading. The sitting still and listening is what my son has, and had, trouble with, he is always in the headmasters office!
Unless he is advanced in all levels, writing, math and reading, I would not move him up a grade.

My son is in K now. He isn't reading but is right on the cusp (knows his letter and letter sounds and sounds out the occasional word). His teacher told me yesterday that most of the class is not reading yet. She said that last year and some other years she has gotten several readers but it is not expected.

My son (now in kindergarten) entered school as a reader. So did one other girl in his class. What I really recommend, based on my experience and that of other parents, is getting a professional evaluation done and then requesting an IEP (individualized education plan). If you can demonstrate that your child is far above (or below) grade level, then under most state laws, the school is required to come up with an individualized plan. The thing is, schools will not take your word for it. You need a professional eval. I don't know precisely where to direct you on that, but I'd talk to the school itself, other parents in your town, and your pediatrician.

However, the school will probably resist advancing him a grade, since when that was done in past generations, the kids often had a hard time socially and wound up with many emotional problems. BUT, if you get an eval and insist on an IEP, you should be able to get him individualized reading instruction. Just keep insisting on this and don't give up.

Best wishes,

Mira

Our son was like yours - he was an early talker and an early reader. He is in 2nd grade now. Like you, I was also worried he would be disruptive in class. He is an extremely active, wiggly kid. Anyway, we just read to him a LOT and had him read to us a LOT. Every night. We have bought him tons of books - whatever he likes. We go to the library every week. He started Kindergarten with his peers and I think academically it probably was a little boring for him. BUT socially it was amazing for him - he learned so much and changed in so many good ways. The teacher noticed how he was ahead which was nice. In 1st grade his teacher put him in the top reading level and so he got harder books to read. She really challenged him and encouraged him to read harder books. She was SO enthusiastic about reading and our son just loved her. He got tested and was put into the Gifted and Talented program which he really really enjoys. It has been the coolest program - he loves it. This year, 2nd grade, is going great! So, for us it has worked VERY well to keep our good reader in his grade and not move him up. You can always look at moving him up a grade in a year or two when he is better at sitting still.

My son was similar to your son - reading books himself at 4 years old, reading full-on chapter books (think Harry Potter) by 5 years old. I don't say this to brag - my son certainly doesn't get his reading ability from me! We were lucky that his kindergarten had a few other boys in the same boat so they created a separate reading class. We also found books that would challenge him but have appropriate content. To that end, I created a list of such books that you may want to check out -

http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/E./recommended-books-for-...

Is switching schools for him an option? I could read when I was little entering kindergarten as well. The public school I went to would often scold me and send me to the principals office because I wasn't paying attention to the teacher and reading a book instead. My mom was a little angry about that and asked why it was a problem and the principal said "we haven't taught that yet and its not fair to the other kids" immediately she pulled me out and sent me to private school. they just kept giving me book after book to see what my level was and i was reading at a 6th grade level. so they let me do the reading seperate.
my kids go to a charter school. they have first second and third graders all in the same class, three teachers/classrooms are near eachother and during specific times of the day they divide the main subjects of math, reading etc into classes specific to the childs ability rather than their grade. so for instance if you are in 2nd grade....but you read at a 1st grade level, you'd go to the 1st grade class during reading. but if you were at a 3rd grade level for math, you'd go to the 3rd grade math class. this seems to work very nicely. maybe you have a school like that in your area.

Your daughter's teacher must be a fairly new teacher to say "no, not often, never". Kids just "get it" at different ages. 2 of my 4 were reading prior to starting K. I made sure to keep them supplied in reading materials. My now 10 year old recently moved from private to public school and I think he is minorly bored. But he is also well behaved, causes no disruptions in school and is on student council. I would NOT try to push moving him forward in school. The emotional maturation is a problem for younger kids, especially as they hit those awful middle school years. Even if they are more intelligent than their peers, they often become targets for teasing or the followers of the older kids, in which case you better hope those older kids are good kids..... This advice coming from someone who worked in education administration for 20 years.

My daughter was reading in preschool and reading at a 2nd grade level (having full comprehension) shortly after starting K. Most children can read many words by the end of K.

Yes, he will be bored in class when it comes to several things, but there will be other areas of learning in which he will not be bored. "They" will not move him up to 1st grade. If "they" feel that he is both academically and socially develped enough for the first grade, they will discuss the issue with you at length. Since you've expressed doubts "I am not sure if he could sit still and listen", then he should stay where he is.

Not only do many kids start reading before K (my son fluently reading at 3rd-5th grade level before K)... in many PUBLIC schools a 100 sight word reading test is REQUIRED. Unfortunately, not our district, where they did one letter a week in K and the 4 fluent readers (1 FAR more advanced than my son, the other 2 at about the same level he was) were bored out of their ever lovin' minds.

Academic skill and social skill are two entirely different animals. Even if the school/teacher suggests he go to first grade, I would not recommend it. The maturity level, especially for a boy is just as, if not more important than the academic skills at this age level. Actually many parents hold kids back, especially boys, depending on when their birthday is...like turn 5 BEFORE April or May for the kindergarten year....and again maybe not even then for boys. Been there/done that...sent my oldest daughter to Montessori at 2. She could read like a 2nd grader at 5...sent her to first grade the year she turned 6 in November. Things were great til middle school and then the emotional maturity contrast showed up. My thoughts for you are NOT to push it. Nurture his reading abilities at home. I am sure his teacher will recognize his skill at school. There is always an adjustment for kids when they first start school...to be able to sit and pay attention. Being "bored" at school sometimes has more to do with lack of social maturity than lack of stimulating work in the school setting.

if he can read..let him keep reading..it's key to everything..go to different schools and see their programs..talk with the teachers..explore many avenues..you're the parent..you'll know what's good for your son..it's wonderful that he is reading..good luck!!

My guy is not even 3 and beginning to read small words, and he's not going to preschool until next fall. I plan to just keep taking him to the library and checking out more books every week, reading to him, buying books, and encouraging him as much as possible. I love that he loves books already, reading opens the doors to everything!

My friend's 10 year old son is in 5th grade, and his teacher told her last week he tested at 12.5 grade level in reading. He said he more than likely is reading at a higher level, but that the test can only assess that far! When he was 3 and already reading his "bedtime stories" were chapters out of her law books, (and this is a boy who the doctors said was going to be born with severe Down Syndrome and advised her and her husband to abort. She still thinks they got her test results mixed up with someone else's.) She won't move him up and his public school teachers have been able to keeps him challenged with no problem throughout the years.

As other moms have said, reading is just one aspect of your son's learning, and teachers will be able to deal with him should he become disruptive and work on challenging him. Encourage his reading as much as you can! : )