Preschool teachers or those with preschool experience pls answer!?

Question

My daughter will be 4 soon. She's old enough to be in the pre-k program at her preschool. But because of her speech delay, the program's teacher felt that she would feel left out by the other kids who could speak well. She's still in the toddler class (she's been there for 2 years) and she's bored stiff. She knows all her letters, numbers, shapes, can count to 30, etc. Should I talk to the principal and see if he could get her into the pre-k class? Or should I just keep her in the toddler class and try again next semester (in January.)?

Answer 1

I would talk to the principal, holding her back because of a speech delay will only make matters worse.  If she is in a class with her peers she can pick up words as they are talking.  They just sound like they don't want to deal with her requiring the extra attention.  She should have been in pre-k at 3 years old so by now they should be preparing her to move to pre-k.  She will be hitting kindergarten soon and needs to move up.  I would really have a good long talk with who ever is in charge.  

Answer 2

Absolutely talk to the principal!  In essence your child is being "punished" because she has a speech delay and that is absolutely unacceptable.  If she has mastered the curriculum of the toddler class and other children her age are being moved up then she should be moved up as well!  Your school is responsible for completing and IEP and giving her the speech and language services she needs IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT.  Her environment is being COMPLETELY restricted by their unwillingness to move her into the class she belongs in. Also, keeping her with younger children will NOT help her speech delay.  Children learn language from hearing it and she would be better served to be in a classroom with other children who are using language in a way that is appropriate for a 4 year old as opposed to being in a classroom with children who are using language  appropriate for a 2 year old.  I honestly feel that holding her in the toddler room could not only decrease her academic success this year, but also her speech development.  

Answer 3

Talk to the principal - your daughter should absolutely be moved up! I've been through some of these issues with my son because his communication skills are behind where he should be at (he's 4 but he is mildly autistic). He's going to a regular 4 year old classroom because like your daughter he knows what he should, but the school provides speech therapy for him, which is their obligation. I realize your daughter may not have special needs beyond the speech delay, but it is still up to the school to help her  - IF you are speaking of a public school system; if you're in a private preschool, you may have to send her to a public school in order to get her the speech therapy she needs. Either way, don't let her stay with the younger kids, or else she may start thinking of school as a boring place and grow to dislike it, something you don't want her to do at such a young age - she'll have plenty of time to hate school when she's older ;)

Answer 4

I taught preschool for 13 years and I have never heard of holding a child back in a toddler room because of a speech problem.  The child should most definately be moved up with children her own age.  That could even help her with her speech as she would have other children as language models.  She is NOT benefiting from being held back, and as her parent you have every right to expect that she be moved to the appropriate class.  Talk to the person in charge and insist.  If they do not move her I would consider changing child care facilities.  Best of luck to you and your little one.

Answer 5

Move her into the class she should be in. It's not fair to her to hold her back.