My five year old hates kindergarten. She knows her letters, numbers and can read some words and can write her alphabet. But it is hard to get her to do it. She tells the teacher she can't remember or just doesn't answer her. I was in the class the first 6 weeks, since she started the year with a broken leg and she seemed fine. The teacher was my 12 year olds teacher too, he seemed fine with her. I notice now the class is very cluttered and she seems disorganized. Any pointers to help me keep my daughter interested and actually bring her knowledge to class? The teacher wants to hold her back. I know she knows the stuff, I am so frustrated.

Natalie - posted on 01/29/2009

Kindergarten used to be such a fun, friendly place.  Does anyone else wonder what the heck happened?  My daughter was stuck with a kindergarten teacher last year that didn't work for us and the principal wouldn't let her change classrooms ( Many parents were asking to switch classes from her room).   My daughter felt like she was stupid, couldn't do anything, and didn't like school.  This was not like her normal attitude.  I pulled her out in February of last year to homeschool.  I kept her home until the end of November this year and now she has a wonderful teacher.  I had a hard time sitting back and watching my child suffer at a time when school should be fun, informative, and engaging.  As a former elementary teacher, I cringe at some of the teaching methods applied out there today.  I wonder why some teachers chose the profession when they appear to dislike children altogether!  Homeschooling was very challenging as my daughter was the 2nd oldest of 5 kids, however she advanced almost 3 reading levels and was doing advanced math, but best of all, she got her self esteem back.  Now, she goes to school without feeling put down.  As for your situation, I would take action right away.  I would talk to the teacher and principal.  If nothing changed, I would ask to transfer my child to a different room.  If all that failed, I would look into changing schools or homeschooling if at all possible for the rest of the year.  I would sit down with my child to give her some ideas for what she can do when she is bored/restless.  I feel for you and your daughter!  Best of luck!!

Caroline - posted on 01/29/2009

I am having trouble keeping my son interested in school too.  He is bored.  He knows the material, and doesn't seem to have the inquisitiveness that he had a few years back, so it's difficult finding the thing that will keep his attention.  I will be sending an email to his teacher very soon if things don't start looking better in the mornings (hard to get going).  That teacher-student relationship is key at such a young age.    I'm a teacher, too, but for older kids, and I can say with confidence that kids can use as much help as they can get: the earlier the better.  I only share this because if your daughter DOES need to stay back (I agree with the post about assessment of skills before any further discussion of that), NOW is the time to do it, not later when they've already become more socially dependent on their friends.... my two cents anyway.  Just know, you are not alone.

Kimberly - posted on 01/28/2009

If possible you may want to consider keeping her at home and working with her yourself for this year. I read that some kids need that extra time with mom. If she knows the stuff and you can teach her at home then why not encourage her with that. Next year she will be so much more prepared for first grade.

Also, I had a cousin that was held back in kindergarten and he graduated top of his class and got a full paid scholarship to the naval academy where he graduated in the top five of a thousand kids. Some kids just need that extra year.

Good luck and God bless. I hope I helped. 

Rebecca - posted on 01/28/2009

Well I am not sure if it applies, but my daughter had a touch and go experience with kindergarden. She seemed to have a hard time with keeping her hands to herself or listening, and for us, this was a hard pill to swallow since she is well mannered, and appropriate for us. But after getting so many notes home, and the big frown behavior papers, I went in to meet with the teacher. Her room was disorganized and dirty, there was something about it that reminded me of what it looked like under my bed when I was 8.... well needless to say, I found out through the grapevine that she seemed to target many of her kids as behavioral challenges, and had issues around classroom control. She is no longer employed at her school- that was her last year. Every year since, She has only excelled in her classes. It really has to start with the relationship she has with her teacher. Of course a little girl isn't going to want to open her mouth to say anything if she feels like her teacher is looking down at her!

Stacy - posted on 01/28/2009

It certainly sounds like she's bored. Or maybe misses having you in class. Is volunteering in the class one day a week an option for you? Maybe you could make a deal with her ... mommy will come to class and hang out on Friday if she does all the work she's supposed to the rest of the week.

Do they do assessments in that school before deciding to hold a child back? The assessments should prove her intelligence level. However, if she isn't participating, they may hold her back anyway thinking that she needs to learn more structure.

Are things usually pretty organized at home? The disorganization of the classroom may be throwing her off, too. Causing her not to take the teacher seriously.

Linda - posted on 01/28/2009

I ran into the same problem with my son. It sounds like your daughter isn't being challenged so she has no motivation to do her work, nor does she want to. Personally it sounds like she's bored. The disorganization really doesn't help either. I went to the principal of my son's school and talked with them about my son's situation. The teacher, principal, and myself came up with some ideas to keep him challenged in class while they were working with the other slower kids. He loved the special treatment and was only given the special work when he completed his assignments. That worked for me and got my son moving. Good luck!

Thea - posted on 01/28/2009

they cant hold back kindergareners can they? I have never heard of that. Is it possible that your daughter and the teacher just dont click? Maybe the teacher is to old to be teaching kindergarden. There are work books that I use with my son at home, I get him to point out things that start with each letter of the alphabet, practice his letters, big and little, sounding them out as well. I hope that this helps a little, good luck with this.