Is my child ready for first grade?

Question

Her kindergarten teacher had previously advised me that she felt that another year of kindergarten would benefit my child, as she was having some difficulties with following directions. She finally conceded when my child improved a little bit that she would stand behind my decision, which was to have her go to first grade.

Now school is about to start back, and my child has not made as much progress over the summer as I had hoped she would, and I am sick with worry about what I can do now. Is it even possible to contact the school and have her placed back into kindergarten?

Answer 1

Yes, it is. Find out when they are open during the summer (they have "office hours" every day for a few hours) and then request a meeting to change her placement. I would recommend having her repeat...

Answer 2

teachers don't "concede".  talk with the school pyschologist, principal, and pediatrician about the best needs for your child.  public school isn't the only option, so keep your mind open.

Answer 3

I thought my daughter wasn't ready for first grade either. I was talking to my older sons teacher, asking her for advise and she said it would be better to send her on to first because even if she gets held back in first, she would learn more than being held back in kindergarten. I thought it made since, and if she is really not ready they will let you know. Don't worry, I'm sure she's not the only child on that level.

Answer 4

leave her in kinder for one more year. It sounds like it would best for her. Contact the school. There is a good chance someone is there as many kids move and have to enroll at school.

Answer 5

let her take on the challenge of 1st grade maybe they can get her to follow directions better

Answer 6

I think you can call the school. I advise you to do it

Answer 7

I am a first grade teacher so I will try to help.  First of all you can go talk to the school and ask for her to be retained.  What is her birthdate?  There are some kids that are a whole year younger than the other kids in the class and will have problems with following directions and handling their maturity.  These kids often benefit from another year.  This is what I am doing with my own son.  He is a Aug. birthday but I don't want him to be the youngest in his class.  How are her skill levels?  Can she read, count, sound out words, etc?  If she can do all these things, she may get bored and start to act out even more.  There is a retention scale that teachers can fill out to see if children are good candidates or not for retention.  Ask your school if they have this form they can fill out on your child.   Have you taken her to a doctor and ruled out anything medical, such as ADHD or hearing problems?  This is a very hard decision, both for the teachers and the parents.  You want to do what is best, but sometimes you just don't know and have to pray you made the right decision.  Even is you send her and she has some problems, they should be able to find some interventions to help her become successful and make it through the end of the year and then you could talk about retention in first grade.  Good Luck and I hope everything turns out well.