About Maria Batkovic Expertise I can answer any question concerning primary grade (K-3rd) education from the perspective of the student, parent or teacher. My speciality was designing highly creative ways to teach all levels of reading, writing, spelling and math (addition, subtraction, multiplication and fractions). In the last few years, I also became very adept at dealing with students with learning disabilities integrated into mainstream classrooms.
Experience I taught 2nd grade for more than 25 years in Catholic schools in New York City and Northern California.
Expert: Maria Batkovic Date: 10/23/2007 Subject: "special energy"
Question My son started kindergarten in a Catholic school this Fall and just turned 5 yesterday. I spent the day in his class helping out and the teacher approached me with her observation that he has a "special energy" and needs to move about while they are doing sharing activities on the rug. She felt he is a kinesthetic learner and she allows this behavior sometimes but other times tells him to sit down. He has excellent vocabulary skills and is super attentive during story time. I noticed him rolling around on the carpet (while others are sitting with their legs crossed) at times while she is talking about the days of the week or other subjects. At times he is sucking on his fingers or has a pained expression on his face. I was very surprised at this behavior (since it was never noticed in preschool) but my husband thinks it is the pressure of school that he is reacting to cause many boys are kinesthetic learners in the early years. He went to a preschool for 2 years with only 5 other children and now there is 20 in his class with it doubling next year in first grade. We are ready to pull him out and wait another year but agreed to have a conference with the teacher this week. What are your thoughts based on the limited information I gave to you? My husband and I are afraid we will set him up for future failures in school and pressures to succeed if we continue in this direction.
Thanks for your time,
Mary Beth
Answer Hello Mary Beth,
By your brief description of your kindergartener I haven't gathered any type of class disruption. Five year olds are all very energetic and unable to sit for long periods of time. Their attention span is very short. Of course, some children have a longer attention span and can sit for longer periods of time. Boys seem to listen while they are romping around however that doesn't answer the question whether or not a child is ready for kindergarten. The fact that you and your husband are having a conference with the teacher shows that you are on the right track. If the teacher has experience dealing with kindergarteners she will discuss your son's strengths and weaknesses. Also she will be able to ascertain if he is immature and unable to grasp the concepts needed in K..... She may also recommend that he be tested by the county ed. In fact, most schools have already begun kindergarten testing and if this is so with your school .....how did your son score in relation to the other students in his class. Sometimes children are ready academically but not socially and of course, vice versa. Weigh all your options before pulling him out of school. You know your child best of all.
Good luck to you.
