Adding?

coasterqueen wrote: Is it normal for 4 year olds to be adding already? Kylie shocked me the other day when she said "Mommy, I know what 2 + 2 is, it's 4". So then I started asking her what 5 + 4 was, etc, etc and as long as you hold your fingers or hers up so she can count she was adding away. Our sitter has been working with her on this as well.

I feel like this child is going to be so bored by the time she gets to Kindergarten. Maybe kindergarten is different than what it used to be, who knows. I despise the fact that she has to wait til next fall to go.

Can someone tell me what types of things they do in Kindergarten?

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Mine does...

He does it on paper too, like drawings of apples etc

boyohboyohboy replied: caleb started doing math when he was 4, mostly it started one night in the bath tub, he just started subtracting the toys from the tub and telling me "if there were 4 and you take away one you get three"...I was amazed too.
I think they do alot more in kindergarden then what we used too.
My friends dgt has been doing spelling and some easy reading....
I think it sounds like they push them to hard to young....we shall find out soon enough as caleb starts this yr

luvmykids replied:
It depends on the school, but most of the kindergartens around here do waaaay more advanced stuff than I did; one of the schools I checked out for the twins starts cursive writing and says they should have a 400-500 word reading vocab by the end of the year among many other things.

coasterqueen replied:
crap! maybe she won't be bored then.

Our Lil' Family replied: My friend's daughter in K was subtracting this weekend! Easy stuff like 10-10 but still...I was blown away.

I know that my nephew is in K in an Abeka program and they don't even learn print, learned cursive instead! I don't necessarily agree with that but it's not my child's school.

TheOaf66 replied: Tanner is doing simple math, he has a game called Penguin math and he likes to play that. I wouldn't worry about it, you should be happy...you could have a kid that is at the other end of the spectrum.

coasterqueen replied:
Oh don't get me wrong, I'm happy. I just worry about her being bored later. She doesn't even get to start kindergarten til next year when she turns 6 due to when her birthday falls. At the rate she's going by the time she goes she'll have learned everything she'll learn there, kwim?

TheOaf66 replied: do I ever...when I was that age (1st grade) I had that problem evidently and my teacher evidently had me tested for "disablity" because I would stare off in la la land a lot, turns out I knew what they were teaching already and when they asked me why I did that I told them "I am bored". So don't let teachers or anything try and say your child is "retarded" (that is what they told my mom) just say nope I think you mean smart. I am sure she will be fine

coasterqueen replied:
I had the opposite problem. When I chatted too much or starting looking a bit spacey they finally decided it was because I was bored w/what they were teaching and they wanted me to skip a grade.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: In Maddie's class the kids are at all different levels. It amazes me that the teachers are able to keep up with all of them, but they do a wonderful job making sure each student is getting the proper education to suit their needs. Of course they have small classrooms. Most of the kids in her class are also older. They turned 7 before or shortly after school started. It is very fast paced and hard to keep up with. Have you considered speaking to the school district to find out what is expected in Kinder? You did have her tested if I remember correctly.

I can see how this would be frustrating for you. I hope she gets a great teacher who can individualize her curriculum so she isn't bored.

Oh and WTG Kylie!!! What a smarty you are!

Kaitlin'smom replied: yep Kaitlin can add some things and even subtract some things. she to will not start K till fall of 08' I am amazed at all they learn so eary and also worry about the bordum factor. I will just have to take it as it comes. Heck we have not even decided where she will go to K yet.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Karen, when I went to sign Tanner up for K I asked about what they would do for him if he needs to be more challenged. They said they would then talk to the 1st grade teachers and start introducing their curriculum to him and other kids who needed it. He'll still be in K with his peers, but have a more challenging curriculum if he needs it. When you sign your kids up for K ask them that question and hopefully they will work with you on it.

MommyToAshley replied:
I have a friend that has a daughter in the same kindergarten that I am thinking of sending Ashley. The kids in the class were reading before Christmas, and they are doing addition and subtration with three digits (like 123+98) where you have to carry over a number. They are also adding by multiples of numbers (by 5's, 10's, etc) and know currency and can add it (for example 1 dollar, 1 quarter and 2 dimes make $1.45). I was surprised at how fast they move. I think her daughter was right on track with the other kids entering Kinder and she is able to keep up just fine. I would be afraid for the kids that hadn't been to preschool or introduced to any of the material ahead of time at home. It is very fast paced but the kids seem to absorb it like sponges. I would check into the curriculum at the school you have chosen. I don't think Ashley will be bored, but I do think she will have a little more confidence by having a head start. Maybe Kylie will be the same. Kindergarten sure has changed since I was a kid. They say it is the new first grade, but it sounds more like second grade to me.

WTG Kylie!

luvmykids replied:
The school I referred to earlier's Kinder program is comparable to our public schools third grade.

It's made me think twice, I worry that it's too much for kids so young but the flip side is that for kids who are learning so quickly they seem to do really well with it but I agree, this is not your mom's Kinder!

mom21kid2dogs replied: O goes to a private school but they are doing addition, subtraction and fractions in her Kindergarten. Ohio state public requirement has them doing this by the end of 1st grade. Likely depends on where she goes and who her teacher is as to her boredom level. Good teachers can manage a variety of learning levels in Kindergarten because it's typical for kids in their first year of school.

Brias3 replied: Aliyah's in kindergarten right now and they definitely work on early math- addition and subtraction. Word formation and simple reading is in the curriculum as is alot of handwriting practice. At Aliyah's school, they also are instructed in Spanish for an hour three times a week. Of course, they work in science, art, music and even a bit of social studies work.

I'm shocked about the change in curriculum for that age group, even since my oldest was in kindergarten a few years back. I just recently started Aliyah (pretty heavily) on the Hooked on Phonics math and reading programs. Many of the children in her class are reading already and I don't want her to be behind, even though she is able to read short, early reader books now. I don't want to force her into too much too soon but don't want her behind either, KWIM? It's hard to know for sure what's best. Check with the district as for what precisely to expect for her curriculum next year.

Sina replied: I think it is great if children learn important educational skills on their own. Cooking together also allows for may great ways to introduce children to math. My child is getting ready for Kindergarten and I made sure she is prepared for it. We are doing a lot of crafts, and other learning activities that help in developing his fine motor skills which are important for the process of learning to write. I also love to support his love of learning. Kids in this age are such a sponge and happy to learn through play.