How can i explain to her...?

Question

My seven year old is in First grade right now and is WAY ahead. The teachers and i decided next year she was going to skip Second grade and go to Third. I already told her that this might happen and she REFUSED too. She told me she didnt want to because she doesn't know anyone and that she won't make any friends because they are older. I dont know what to do. I cant keep her were she is because she is sooooo ahead. She can read flulintly, she can right in cursuve, she can add, subtract, multiply, and devide and sooo many things that have not yet been taught. How can i explain to her.

Answer 1

wow when i was little they wanted to do that to me too and i hated it.

i know exactly how she feels. she is afraid that people will make fun of her and that she will not make any frens....

if you want he to do this then you should calmly talk to her about how great it is in thrird grade.

or you shouldn;t even hae to tell her because every year she will  be place in a different classroom anyways. she will hardly know. it isntr a big deal unless you make it one.

Answer 2

You can't force a child to skip a grade.  If she doesn't want to go then don't force her.  My daughter skipped two grades (2nd and 5th) and next fall at the age of 11 will be starting higschool.  Leave her alone, emotionally she obviously is not ready to skip ahead.  You're not just dealing with the child's intelect you are also dealing with her emotions and self esteem.

Answer 3

I have a 7 yr old that is in the 1st grade to she is also extremely smart for her age she reads at 4th grade level and adds divides subtracts multiplies she even knows some of her fractions. her teachers have asked me about skipping her and I'm going to leave it up to her if she wants to stay with her friends and do more work she can or if she chooses to skip 2nd and go to 3rd that will be up to her right now she will be in 2nd next year as long as she is happy then her school experiences will be. School is hard for kids anyways why make it harder let them decide they are the ones that have to do it. they go to school everyday not us so they should be in control of their school years when it concerns their social life. I feel as smart as my daughter is I have faith that she is smart enough to make this decision for herself.

a mother of a exceptionally smart child too!

Answer 4

Congratulations on your bright child.

This seems to be a difficult decision, yet you are the parent and make the decisions. I would let her proceed to third grade. If you don't feel comfortable with doing that, I would keep her in the grade she was in now and follow up with advance academic activities. She might not like the extra work and opt for being elevated to another grade. Thinking it was her own idea might cure her stubborness to proceed to a level up. As long as she is being challenged to grow and learn to her full potential, I think all will be well.

Another thing you might want to look into is to see if a university or college might let her take college courses. Some private colleges will allow young children to obtain courses if they show extreme talent in a certain course. For example, I know of a 12 year old, who got college  (private college) credit for art courses. He was very gifted and the youngest to get college credit for art in his time.

Answer 5

just say that she does not need to be scared. give her positive notes. such as when you go to 3rd grade the kids will think of you as a great person because you would not see kids that were in 1st grade skip to 3rd

Answer 6

It may not be good for her to skip a grade, because then she will be a year behind in maturity.  And she doesn't want to.

If there isn't a class for gifted kids, the best thing would be to give her extra work or more advanced work to do so she won't be bored in class.  Maybe she could even take one subject in another classroom, but I don't think it's best to skip a grade, especially when she's so young.

Her emotional adjustment is actually more important than her grade level.

Meanwhile you can have her help you with your spelling and grammar.

Answer 7

Ok... I skipped 1st grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade.

Now I am a 17 year old college junior.

All you need to do as a mom, is simply say..."Sweetie... you are a grown-up now!!! And all grownups need to learn more and work harder. Look at mommny (give a good example of some achievement in your life)... you know why that happened?! Becuase I listened to my teacher and my mommy and skipped a grade. I didn't want to, but I listened to mommy and decided to be a grownup. I think it's something that you should do too sweetie."

Then leave her alone, and let her "think"... see what she says.

This will give her that notion like "Oh... I'm so mature and I'm a grownup now."

Just try it... and see what she says.

I think it will be good for her, I know from my own experience.

Answer 8

Instead of explaining to her, why not have her spend some time with the kids she will be in class with? Maybe have some "specials" with them (art, music, gym) so she can have a chance to meet the students and feel more comfortable.

the school counselor should be a good resource for you while your child makes this transition.

best of luck to both of you!

Answer 9

My brother skipped a grade, and before he did, they let him go for a few hours a day into the grade he would be skipping into to transition.  See if the school will let your daughter do this and then she will meet some of the kids, alleviating her fears.  Or see if you can invite some of the girls to your house so she can get to know them.  That is the basis of her fears, that she won't have any friends. As soon as she bonds with a few of them, she'll be eager for the move.

Answer 10

no need for explanation.  let your child have her way -this is NOT a battle to win.  she gets to be in 2nd grade just once in her life.  discuss your concerns for her education with the teacher and principal.  offer your daughter extra work and opportunities if she is ready.  emotional maturity is very important for your daughter and her needs supercede yours.

Answer 11

Have her try it out but if she is still uncomfortable there after a month or so, bring her back down.  Learning how to socialize and learning social norms is just as important as academic learning.  You can graduate with a PhD, but if you can't conduct interviews correctly, then good luck getting a job!

Answer 12

Well she must get is from her dad, because you can't spell. I would suggest that in her summer program (if they have one, most schools have am enrichment program) she do that with what would be her new class mates, also most schools don't skip grades anymore, they would put her in a gifted program, have you looked into this? My son is 6 in first grade and multiplies, divides, and reads above grade level etc, this isn't unusual, social interaction is equally important at this age and something that can not be learned later, the emancipation proclamation is.

Answer 13

I don't know why I am answering this... weren't you 12 in another question only days before?

If she is not ready then you should not force her. Her emotional well being is just as important as her intellectual. Try and reassure her and let the decision be hers. If she is really advanced then allow her to take courses/classes outside of school and skip next year(when she may be more ready).

Answer 14

Make skiping a grade sound like a TON of fun. If she is worried about making friends...(which she will).....Just assure her that she will!

P.S.  She sounds very smart...good for her!