After volunteering in my son's class today, I ate lunch with him.
He was munching on an apple when I asked him what his favorite part of school was.
He thought for a moment and then answered me. "Lunch," he said with a giggle.
"What's your next favorite thing?" I quizzed him, a little uncomfortable with his Sweathog response.
"Going to the playground!" he answered with some hesitation.
"And then what?" I asked him, hoping for an answer that at least resembled something academic.
And with no pause at all, he answered, "Coming home!"
I had been eagerly awaiting the start of Kindergarten because I knew Peter was going to love it. At least that was my hope.
He really enjoyed preschool and it only seemed to follow that he would enjoy Kindergarten. But that doesn't seem to be the case and it worries me.
People are continually asking me how Peter likes school.
And I continue to give them the same half-hearted answer, "He doesn't like getting up early but I think he's enjoying it."
I had a conversation with Jennifer yesterday and she thinks it is because he's bored.
She volunteered in the class (her son Colton is in the class too) earlier in the week and she said that Peter and Colton both already knew everything that was being taught in the center that they were working in.
At lunch today, I asked him why he didn't like school very much. And his answer was, "We are working on letter sounds. I already did that in preschool."
So, perhaps Jennifer is right. Perhaps he really is just bored.
So now when people ask me how Peter likes Kindergarten I guess I'm going to answer them with a hearty, "He's completely bored because he already knows it all!"
O.k. maybe I won't answer it like that but I'll be thinking that in my head while I give them my standard response.
In the meantime, what am I supposed to do so that he doesn't lose interest in school and decide at the ripe old age of 5 that he hates school?
23 comments:
That's interesting! I would talk to the teacher and see if she could give him something a little more challenging, so that he's not bored!
It's good he's ahead of the game, but I'm sorry to hear that he's bored. He definitely needs to be challenged, otherwise it's just a waste of his time.
I would talk to his teacher about it sweetie.
I have to agree with the others, and say talk to the teacher. There may be a program for students who are a little more advanced. Sometimes they have a calendar of activities that expands on the knowledge already mastered from class that students can use to enhance what they already know.
My own son had looked forward to going to school so much after watching both of his sisters go every morning. It started ok, but went downhill fast. Kindergarten was an awful year for him and me both. The teacher was terrible. HOWEVER, I am please to say that he has since recovered from that experience. He is a happy, school loving 3rd grader now. So, just because your son is not exactly eager now doesn't mean that he will develop a dislike for school...hang in there!
My first thought was to talk with the teacher as well. I'm sure she can find something to challenge him. :)
My son who started 1st grade this year really didn't enjoy kindergarten either becuase it was a little too easy for him. I talked with the teacher and she started giving him challenges to do at home and that really helped!
I would be concerned too (being a natural born worrier and all) but I have a feeling that this too shall pass. Or at least I hope so for you Beth. Kids are just SO resilient. And besides, he does have some good points. :)
maybe he will skip a grade,,hmmmm
leigh, nc
Def. talk to the teacher, but I would say challenge him at home.
My eldest was way ahead of the game for kindergarten (she was reading at 4 yrs old), and they did give her extra work, but I went and made up some lessons and selected books for her on my own and then I just told her it was homework.
(I lied for the greater good, you see :))
Not enough extra work to get her burnt out, but enough that she was still interested in school.
How do I add myself to your followers (up in the left-hand corner of your blog?)
By the way, related to your post, you could move to Arkansas. Caden had to write in complete sentence in a journal everyday, do fractions, count money, etc...all in K!! It was nuts!
First, I can not believe you doubted my brilliant insight on the situation.
Second, Peter is a smart kid, just be glad. He could be Joey.
Teachers have a lot of responsibility and can't really individualize instruction........ I would say ask the teacher about it but don't expect it from her. If you have time, ask the teacher what they are studying the next week and search for some enrichment that maybe you could send TO the teacher for him to do in class. I really think that most kids I know would have the same three things as their favorites! I think they really do like everything in between they just don't realize it!
That is a tough one...I don't have any kids so I don't really have an answer. :) He sounds smart though! :)
Ok, being a public school teacher myself, you can go to the nc department of public instruction and get a link to the Kindergarten Standard Course of Study. There you will find all the objectives Peter will learn this year. You could get some books from the library either at school or the public library to use at home that go along with the science or social studies topics.
There are also websites like aaamath.com or seussville.com that Peter could do reading and math activities.
PS...if you let me know via email what county you are in, I can give you some other tips (if it's the county I work in...)
When my kids have been bored in school (which of course they always are since they are so brilliant!) I always try to think of the other things they are learning such as socialization, getting along with a variety of people, etc. It works for us.
I am definitely agree with Brittany.
he is smart and he loves chalenging. He doesn't like a regular activity in a long period I think. try to make a new activity with him too. He is smart and fast learner.:D
congratulations!
I guess this is the downside of having a smart kid! :) There could be worse problems...
P.S. I tagged you on my blog!
I REALLY think I am going to have this same problem...with both of my kids when they go to school. (and if the offer ever comes up to skip a grade, we will assess our children's maturity and probably roll with it...I'm just not sure if they do that anymore)
I have no idea what the solution is...but I suppose talking to the teacher would be a nice start...and then, I like the idea someone else had about buying some stuff for him to do as homework.
Have a great weekend, Beth!
I have never put any of my kids in preschool or preK for this every reason. They reveiw all the stuff, to make sure all the kids are on track with pre-reading skills. I think once they get past all the stuff they already know, about January it really takes off as far as the learning part. I don't know, my kids always loved recess and lunch. I guess there really is no hope.
A good teacher will know how to teach for different levels. I'm surprised she hasn't already noticed! It's a shame to hold him back until his peers catch up- perhaps a talk is in order?
this is why you gotta love the internet. Great post and great answers...good luck and keep us posted w/ the outcome- you totally have to use that new response too! i agree w/ all the comments before me...
i also have to add, you've really given me something to think about w/ my son-- he COULD start preschool in a few months!
When Josh was getting ready to start Jr High- his one comment was that he didn't want to go into 7th grade because he wouldn't have recess anymore.
Yea- because that's what important in school
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