As a teacher (middle school), I think it is better for you to wait. Here's why:1) She will ALWAYS be physically and emotionally younger than her peers. Her social skills will always be behind. This will really start to show and have an impact when she enters middle school. Think about it: while your baby has just turned 11, she will have to change in a locker room of girls that are closer to 12 or 13. While she will still be interested in toys and playing games, the majority of her female peers will have already developed an interest in boys, sex, and gossip. While she doesn't care about her body, other girls will comment on how "underdeveloped" she is. None of this has anything to do with how smart she is. 2) As soon as she starts school, you are BOTH tied to rigid schedule, blanket statements and rules, and being addressed as a number (yes, even kinder teachers are overwhelmed and might not remember that your baby's favorite color is blue, her middle name is X, and that you work full time). This means less creativity and freedom for your daughter. I'm a believer in the school system, but there will never be another time in your daughter's life when she us free of responsibilities and can just play. 3) She may be smart thanks to your Flashcards and summer workbook, but how's her independence? Can she self-soothe and problem solve or resolve conflicts with other children, or does she tattle and need guidance before moving past a difficulty? Is she ok with a struggle and will work through it, or does she come to you as soon as a question is challenging? Can she open her own juice? Can she zip her own jacket? Button her own pants? Believe it or not, these are more the skills your child needs for kinder more so than being able to read. It makes a teacher's job exponentially difficult when we have to teaching emotional and social skills along with the academics.
Husband says I'm being too hard on our daughter...
Okay, so our daughter will be 6 in September and will start kindergarten in August. She was in the preschool program at the local elementary school this past year and I purchased her a summer bridge activity book. Every morning I do flash cards with her and have her trace her letters and we read a book. In the evening I give her 6 pages of from her work book, front and back. He says this is too much. She hasn't complained. Thoughts?
704
views • 2
upvotes • 31
comments
Let's Glow!
Achieve your health goals from period to parenting.