Skipping Grades

Me, again. Something else I forgot to mention.If you are concerned about keeping him challenged or him getting bored, there options to look at. Have him join Cub Scouts,Boys Club or other activities. Maybe you could pick up some different computer programs or books and let him learn new things that he is interested in. Foreign languages, arts , you name it. Then, if in a few years, he has done nothing but get farther ahead, you could ask about advancing him up a grade. Just another thought. Cathy

Hi I have 5 kids still at home, 3 are grown.I have 5 grandkids.I have experienced quite the range of skills,abilities, levels,sizes,etc that you will find in kids. A couple of things, you might want to consider. 1. Is he small or even on the smaller side for his age and compared to the kids in the next grade? Being much smaller can cause him to have issues with being teased. 2. How does he fit in emotionally and as far as maturity compared to kids in his current grade and the next grade?Again, teasing can be an issue.Also, if the kids in the grade above him are a lot more mature[things they talk about, interests, ways they play,etc] it can cause him a problem with making friends. 3. I think this is important, look at his friends and the kids that he tends to play with. More than that, look at the kids that tend to want to play or interact with your son. Are they his age or the age for the grade above him? 4. Academics are important. But, if he is feeling stressed, constantly teased or feels left out his academic level will slip. So the above issues are something you might want to look at. 5. Being advanced academically now may level out in a few years. He might be way ahead of the other kids in his class now. But, he may kind of level out and others may catch up to his level in a few years as they grow and mature. If he is moved ahead a grade, you just need to be sure that he won't end up needing to be held back a few years down the road. 6. How does he feel about this? Okay, I or no one else can tell you the correct thing to do. I can only suggest some things to consider. In the end, you and your husband are his parents. You know your son best. Talk to each other and to your son and trust in your decision. Cathy

Talk to your son and ask him how he feels about moving up in grades. Look at his maturity level. If he is mature and he can work on his own, I would put him in the 3rd grade. I am biased though because my husband was tested to be moved ahaead an dhis parents did not because they had other kids that they did not want the move to negatively affect. He was constantly bored in school and always was in trouble. He was not provided opportunites that would have allowed him to thrive. Since he was held back by his parents, he has very little self confidence in what he does and feels like he was cheated out of a life he could have had. His cousin on the other hand (they are 3 weeks apart, act and look identical) was given this opportunity, was given extras to expand his knowledge, took classes during the summer to get out of High School early and he has thrived.

I did not think they did that anymore, but rather offerred gifted/talented/creative classes. I would ask myself a lot of questions before saying yes. First, does my son have friends in his grade level? Second, does my son seem bored with the work he is doing? Third, How does his age compare with the kids he is in class with right now? Fourth, how does his size compare to the kids who would be in his class if he skips. Keep in mind, he may be ahead now, but will not necessarily always be. How would you feel if you let him skip ahead, then a few years down the line he has to rejoin his class, at the lower level, he will then in effect "Fail" Does your school system not have a gifted program?