i need help real fast

Marissa - posted on 01/21/2011

I have that problem with my 4 year old she is the youngest in her class and her teacher wasn't too concerned. Just spend extra time witting with them practicing. My daughter isn't recognizing her numbers so I bought a foam puzzle that we play with at bath time I show her the numbers and she has to tell me what it is sometimes she needs to use the shapes to count to figure out the number but her teacher said she is getting better at them. I found out by making a bath time game she doesn't feel pressured and it seems easier than when we sit at the table trying to to her numbers. I also own all the Leap frog DVD's she watches one every few days

Jennifer - posted on 12/28/2010

Don't worry!!! He's 4. My teacher in my son's class is already jumping to ADD but he's just in school (SK) for a month. If it makes you feel better ask if there is anything you can do at home.

Dee - posted on 12/22/2010

Did they say he was just behind or they think there may be an underlying problem? If he is behind you have time to work with him. Boys are always a little behind the girls, they have less focus at this age. Try to work with him for for 10 to 15 min. increments. My 5 year old has always loved books, so we always make sure to read a number and letter book every day. Also most of my friends who are teachers say that most kids that are behind at the beginning of school catch up by the end of the school year

Joanne - posted on 12/21/2010

I could write you a really long mail but I'll just say he's still young and there are so many things you can do with him during the day to help him! One of the biggest being to read to him, build puzzles together and visit places that will increase his understanding of the world around him. My website is full of preschool skill development ideas have a look: www.susa-parentcenter.com

Kerry - posted on 12/20/2010

I agree with Kat Challis, she made some very valid points. make your own memory cards on the alphabet, you can also buy some inexpensive age related activity books for him to work on ie, hidden objects, basic writing/math etc. most important thing is not to make a fuss have fun with these activities, include the whole family and give lots of praise. Good luck and have fun with it, don't pressure yourself or your son

Lorraine - posted on 12/20/2010

Tell the teacher not to test 4 year olds, and rejoice in the fact that you have a happy, healthy child, and allow him to be a typical 4 year old! Tests come later in life, stop stressing.

Amanda - posted on 12/20/2010

my son is 5 his teacher is always telling me he doesnt know this or that but when i get him home and test him he knows it all no matter how i test him or who tests him in our family so you need to figure out how they are testing him and how he is being scored on it for instance if its counting to 20 and he misses 11 then does that mean he can only count to 10? and so on also my oldest son does great on all his class work but he always strugles on tests so thats something you might need to look into also i wouldnt worry to much just keep working with him at home and get as much fun learning games and activitys as possible

Beth - posted on 12/20/2010

I would talk to the teacher and ask what he is slower at. and to see what options to look at to help him catch up. You could hold him back to maby he needs more time. I know some parents they kept there kids in pre-k for another year for simular reasons and it has helped

Coleen - posted on 12/19/2010

All kids learn differently and at different times. I dont think it is fair to group kids together just by age because abilities are different. If they were testing on something that was of no interest to the child than he will not care enough to stay focused or do well. I believe kids only truly learn and retain information if it is something they are interested in. Montesory type schools are much better for this. I homeschool my kids since I pulled my son out of 5th grade. 3 years ago now and I wouldnt even think twice about putting them back in school. If I could do it over again I would have never put them in. Educate yourself on how children learn, different learning styles, and how different personality types affect learning. John Holt writes great books on this topic, John Gatto, many books out there on homeschooling and learning types and styles. Now is a great time to find out what all of your options are. If he gets into the school system and is labeled with some learning disability, because he does not learn well in this environment, than he will have a lifetime of inadequate feelings associated with these labels. Or maybe they will just convince you he is adhd and he needs meds, than they will not have to deal with him much. They tried this with my son and when he was tested outside of the school system he was not at all adhd. It is a one size fits all solution the schools use to control there classrooms. Good luck and really put your heart into finding what is best for your son.

Carmen - posted on 12/18/2010

call or email the teacher and set up a meeting with her and find out what you can help with at home to get him "up to speed' working at home with him will be the key! good luck (THE TEACHER WILL APPRECIATE THAT YOU TOOK THE TIME TO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS WITH HER:)

Patricia - posted on 12/18/2010

Good points

Kat - posted on 12/18/2010

Children can run two years plus or minus when entering Kindergarten. Allot depends on the amount of exsposure to learning events and enrichments prior to their entering Kindergaren. Tests makes the politicians feel better aboput Teachers doing their job... As a parent and a educator, I don't put allot of faith in tests. Children may feel pressured when testing and consenquenty do poorly or excel depending on their coping strategies. Focus on the overall picture of weekly progress. If it will make you feel any better find out exactly where your son was pigeonholed at by the test, then do fun activities at home to strengthen his deficiencies. For example the game Memory works to help children improve their spatial recall of object placement, identifies objects as being part of a set or subset of like things, ecterara. Most important of all is not to make a big deal out of the tests results in front of your child. Good luck and try not to worry.

Lisa - posted on 12/17/2010

have you take him to a place were there is caseworkers if so get him tested so if he dosent get tested out then iam sure there are programs for him

Patricia - posted on 12/17/2010

Meet with the teacher and find out exactly what her concerns are and is it something that needs to be addressed. But please remember he is only four and some children move at there own pace. I kind of question testing four year olds. He got time to "improve". Just let him enjoy being a four year old.

Ange - posted on 12/17/2010

Which way is he slow? If he is slower then rest at finishing and doing other stuff then I would not worry about it there is nothing you can really do about that to change it I know my Step daughter she is really slow moving and you can't get her to move faster then she wants to.... and kids won't if they don't want to do something then they will move slowly and sometimes it just come natural to them to move slowly... Talk to your sons teacher and find out what exactly she is talking about and she has no choice but to explain it to you so do not be afraid to do that.... and if he is slow in some parts of his developmental stuff then just sit with him when you can at home and work on it make a game out of it we did with our daughter and she is a smart little girl.... and at 4 years old they all love games... and like another person said the teachers will expect you to work with your child at home too

Madeline - posted on 12/16/2010

I would ask to meet with her and review the areas that she feels he is lacking in. It is in her best interest to work with you and give you some resources to help you, your son and the teacher... Hope all goes well

Madeline

Kareena - posted on 12/16/2010

Do nothing - he's only four! The only thing you need to worry about at that age is that he is able to socialise with other children and yourself - he has years of learning ahead and it's way too early to worry.

Holly - posted on 12/15/2010

My 6 year old son also joined a reading class and I've saw a big improvement. The school recommened that and also speech therapy. It is much easier for them to catch up now then later. I was in special ed till I got to middle school and then I did'nt need it anymore.

Amanda - posted on 12/15/2010

Well all children learn at different rates. Is he new to school and school settings?

Valerie - posted on 12/15/2010

We are raising our 7 year old grandson who has had similar issues. I agree with some of the posts regarding not getting too excited about it, but if the program he is in offers any extra help in any area, take it. It certainly can't hurt. I've also found that many school systems today rely heavily on parents working with kids at home-they expect parents to read with the kids daily, and we are being told we should do flash cards with him to boost his math skills as well. We do the best we can, but we still work full time and have 2 young children to raise, so it is not always possible. Do what you can, and don't stress out over it.

Candy - posted on 12/14/2010

Relax and work with him at home more on the things he is falling behind on.

Luvenia - posted on 12/14/2010

Get an idea of all the fundamentals that the teachers do throughout the year and try reading and math and comprehension exercises with him at home; but make a fun style game out of it. Also, be sure to compliment him with puddles of how smart he is after you teach him a little and he gets the exercises right. It will begin to show in school and it doesn't take much time at home nor any extensive materials needed; only pencil and paper.

Nikki - posted on 12/14/2010

It could just be that his development is slightly slower. At 4 years old I dont think that it is something that you should panic about. Maybe get your child to a psychologist just to confirm.

Ashley - posted on 12/13/2010

I guess my question is what kind of test is it! And how is it given. My daughter goes to preschool and they will ask her questions and she is to answer like this is the triangle and stuff like that. But how can he be behind! Entering kindergarden they dont even have to know how to write their name. Most teachers at the age of 5 just want them to be able to count to 10, know how to say their abc's, and know 5 colors and 4 shapes. Thats what they would like. But some kids dont know even half of that going in and other know way more than that. I would speak to the teacher on a one on one situation and see just what she is talking about. Preschool is to be a fun experience for your son with learning.

Tracey - posted on 12/13/2010

dont worry bout it right now he will catch on... my daughter started writing all her letters backwards and now straighting them out.. so hell catch on...

Suzanna - posted on 12/13/2010

My first question as a parent and a teacher would be, why on earth are they giving a four year old a test and what kind of test was it? I would not be overly concerned about a test in 4K unless it was some type of developmental test. My son did nto excel in 4K, but is doing fine in 5K and he has some developmental delays. He went into K5 knowing none of his letters and barely recognizing his name, but now recognizes all letters and their sounds, plus can read simple sentences and recognizes numbers to 100. I would not be overly concerned about things until he is midway through 5K...for many kids, things will start clicking when they come back from Christmas break. If you have concerns that have ben there before the test, you should address them with your pediatrician or ask to be referred to a developmental pediatrician.

Michelle - posted on 12/12/2010

Isn't he in preschool since he is 4? So what if he is "slow" he's four. What does that even mean? Even if he is in Kindergarten, most kids don't start until 5 for good reason. Also, a lot of boys I know end up repeating kindergarten again and are doing fine now. I even debated whether my twin boys should repeat kindergarten since they were young chronologically for kindergarten, but it all worked out.



If you are really that worried find out what "test" he took and either work with him, let him mature, or do whatever you think best. If it was some sort of behavioral test then maybe talk to your pediatrician about it.



Good luck.

Angie - posted on 12/12/2010

Nothing. He's four and everything could change tomorrow. He could have had a bad day or not enough sleep the night before. Ask the teacher how he does day to day and don't worry about a test. Not everyone is a good test-taker...

Amanda - posted on 12/12/2010

Ask her if he's still doing a good job on the tests. If he's completing the work but just at a slower pace, but is still solving them right than it shouldn't matter how fast or slow he finishes things. Maybe talk to her in more detail. This doesn't seem right. Good luck!

Cara - posted on 12/12/2010

Get all the details you can regarding what he is behind in. My daughter was behind in reading at the begining of the year and they put her in a special reading class. Sort of a tutoring thing. Was great for her.