Keeping Bright, Incoming Kindergartener Engaged Come the Fall?

Honestly, the school system is geared toward the slowest children and quite often the quickest get ignored and lef to their own devices. They often get into trouble because of it.

This was happening to my son as well. It's the main reason I decided to homeschool, so he could learn at his own pace.

Maybe that's not what you're looking for, but if you're already dissatisfied then I don't think it's going to get better as time goes on. I know it didn't for me.

A truly bright child can find interest in anything in the classroom. My mom is an early-ed specialist and has always maintained that only boring kids get bored. The smartest kids in her classes ALWAYS were able to find something to read or play with.
Just teach your daughter to seek out information or to take the initiative and get a book or whatever. My mom only had trouble with the kids who sat in a chair and waited for the teacher to tell them what to do. Except during instructed time where the children are supposed to be doing something specific - which should also keep your daughter engaged - she should be able to find something she's interested in. Talk with the teacher before school starts and ask if your daughter is allowed to get up and get a book and return to her desk when she's done with whatever the assignment, or keep a couple books in her desk to get out when she's done with her work.

I believe half day kindergarten is a gift because after they 'put in their time' at school you have the rest of the day to enrich them however you see fit. With the second half of the day you could do the second language course or other programs that coincide with your child's interest. That way they keep learning and stay engaged whether it is in the classroom or at other programs.

My son did Kindergarten twice (one private, one public). He was so bored, he actually started having behavior problems _ yikes. I sat down and spoke with the teacher about his unique situation and she was my ally in giving him some more challenging work in the classroom (so when he finished his tracing/coloring letters, she gave him a sheet or learning idea from her years as a first grade teacher to expand on the lesson at hand- for example. . . "That is the letter A" Can you draw me some pictures that start with letter A " then "Can you sound out how you think those are spelled and write it below the words?").
I also bought some workbooks for first and second grade on my own and we would play with those at home. He also really enjoyed reading comprehension and abstract thinking concepts.
Best of luck.

Even though our son was in a dual-immersion full-day kindergarten, where they spoke Spanish to him all day. He learned to read, write and speak Spanish, he was still bored. He hated school by the time summer came around and his teacher was AWESOME.

Without my husband's agreement, I pulled him out and homeschooled him, even though I am our bread-winner. He finished 1st grade in 4 months with only working with him 1 hour each day. I realized that the teachers can't keep the smart kids engaged while trying to get the slower kids caught up and keep the avergae kids busy. After 6 hours of school, he still had homework? Really? He's now 7 and starting the 4th grade....and he LOVES learning again. The best part, the younger 2 hear everything and last night my barely 4 year old was talking to me about the Gulf Stream with authority.

Homeschooling may not be your thing, but most of the moms who do it now, didn't think it was either. My husband is completely convinced that it was the best decision I ever made, besides marrying him. ;)

We are also doing Rosetta Stone and he really likes it, so he can do it at his pace. He can always do more one day or do nothing for a few days. He gets to like learning and not have it shoved down his throat.

With my daughter we just played games outside of school that worked with writing and math. I found some fun workbooks at the local $1 store even. Also have you talked to the teacher? Our daughter would fly through her work, so her teacher would have extra worksheets or projects for my daughter and some of the other kids. She also was allowed to help her classmates or do simple tasks in class. She loved being helpful and it helped keep her involved. Good luck!

My son has issues in the classroom I have talked to the teacher and worked with her to do things on his level. His one teacher would send kids up to the first grade room for reading or writing time if they were ahead of the class by way too far. I personally think our school district does the most amazing job at teaching at each kids level verses right in the middle and not wavering for children who need it one way or another. My goal going into school, when we have our first parent teacher orientation, is always that my son excelles this year on HIS level. Each year, I feel that is met. So have a chat with the teacher and see how things go. Maybe add in some after school activities or a second language.

I agree about workbooks. Our daughter loved doing "Homework" at night when she came home. Have them play school with you. They can be the teachers and teach you how to do things..

Have them help you cook. Teach them about measuring. The math on how to double and triple things.

If you see an article in the newspaper you think they will enjoy, cut it out and let them see what words they can recognize or can sound out..

Also have them make story books. They can tell you the story and you print them out and let them copy of of the words and draw pictures to along with their stories.. These make great gifts or thank you notes for friends and family.

If they read, continue to pile on as many books as they can devour.. Ask if you are allowed to check out books in the school library (sometimes at the beginning of the school year they do not check out the books right away). If not take them to your neighborhood library and have then check out and read books each day. Remember to always read the author and illustrators names.. Our daughter can still recite them from her child hood books..

Also make sure they get a ton of physical activity.. They need to run jump hop, walk backwards, peddle bikes, balance on one foot, learn to tumble, cartwheels, jump ropes, bounce balls.. Al of that coordination will hep develop their brains..

Very exciting time

Our school system has changed over to full day Kindergarten.

Have you considered sending your Kindergartener to private full day Kindergarten at a montessori school or daycare?

We have that option here. The kids that attend private K take a test in the summer to see if they test straight into 1st grade at the public school.