5 yr old doing 2nd grade math?

Question

my sisters stepson is 5 and will start kindergarten this fall, he is already doing second grade math problems with out effort. I keep telling her she needs to have him placed in advance classes, but she thinks that it is normal...what do you think?

Answer 1

2nd grade math?  That's just addition and subraction stuff.  Don't burden the 5 y.o. with extra homework... he's only in kindergarten.

If he was doing calculus, then that would be a different story.

Answer 2

Tough one. I think you should keep the child on the path to a regular kindergarden program. Keep the building blocks fun still. By the time the child is in 1st, most schools test kids to be in some sort of G.A.T.E.  program as well.

If you are still gung-ho, then maybe spend some time doing a gifted program on the weekend or get the child tested.

Word of caution: Make sure its something the child shows great interest in w/o any outside influences and isn't pushed into it. 5 years old is still an immature age. Being emotionally strong is another key element that also needs to be there before taking educational leaps.

Answer 3

I have a masters degree in education and I wrote my thesis on why older children do better in school (rather than those who have skipped grades or started on the earlier side).  I tutored some Indian children and the preschoolers were doing math that high.  My advice:  Don't start him in school and don't skip grades.  If it is a good school and good teacher, the teacher will simply place him in the highest math group and if he is really ahead, she will probably borrow materials from other grades to teach him with.  

Children I found in my study, who are younger, have more problems when they try to go from learning concrete to abstract thoughts (around grades 1-4).  They also lack fine motor skills and some attention to detail.  Also, he will probably not feel at ease socially with his class if he is older.

If the school is not being accomodating or the teacher ignores him because she is too busy focusing on the "bad" or "slow" kids, then seek to transfer him to another teacher or a charter school (public schools with higher education standards in most cases).

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

That child should be placed in an advance class. If he is doing second grade work once he is in KINDER he will be bored and not progress

Answer 5

show the teacher how well he can do 2ND grade math maybe she has an idea. Maybe it's to give him different math worksheets or to put him in a more advanced class,I would let the teacher decide. hope this helps

Answer 6

Keep him with 5 year olds and the teacher will differentiate her/his maths programme. I have a 7 year old in my class doing 9 year old English. I cater for him. But socially and emotionally he is still 7. He needs to be with his peers. His English is great, his Maths is very good - he finds learning quite easy. But he still needs to be taught social skills and appropriate behaviors. He is a huge sulker and very competitive - 7 yr old stuff. Let the teacher cater for ALL this little fellas needs - it is our job.

Answer 7

I've always had to teach to each individual child.  I've had children that were way beyond the "normal" level (whatever that means) and children that were struggling.  I've had everything in between.

Thankfully, I learned the (ages) 6-9 Math Materials really well and was able to challenge those who were excelling in math.  A good teacher will always be able to adjust what they're doing and challenge all the students.  

Matt

Answer 8

i recommend that he does not skip grades. my friend boasts that she skipped two grades since she aced the tests to skip the grades, right now she is a sophomore in a community college taking developmental courses before she can move on to college level classes. turns out skipping grades really hurted her.

however, he may be different, keep him interested in school! he might be the next doctor or engineer in the family!

Answer 9

2nd grade math? how about 2nd grade subjects beside math? you should try asking the school if its alright. you got a bright kid good luck tc

Answer 10

Is he reading on a second grade level? When I taught 3rd grade, I had a student that could read on a 6th grade level. But he would cry every day. And he would not try to do any work without reinforcement. 2nd grade math is not really hard. We had kindergartners who could multiply and divide using manipulatives.

Answer 11

well to me this kid obviously is smart. i would put him in advanced classes because i mean hes going to feel slowed down and feel lazy and not do his homework. that would develop a bad habit. he needs to be in a class where he is challenged.

Answer 12

Sometimes kids can go above their grade level, but doing the problems with out effort mean he could excell in an advanced class.

Answer 13

Let the teacher's make the decision.  There's more to school than achievement in scholastic issues.  The child also needs to have a certain level of maturity.  Relax, don't push.