northernbird

Well you must have an exceptionally bright 5 year old then.

worzel

You can always ask the schools to put your kids up a year - they will do it sometimes if you are insistent. But then you have the issue of social interaction between kids of different ages.

northernbird

It is very rare. I have been trying to get my youngest moved from Kindy into pre-primary and despite her kindy teachers telling me she is a future PEAC student and is both academically and socially streets ahead of the other kids in her class they will not budge.

TraceyW

Just wondering NK,is your child in a private school? Is the teacher old school and a bit set in their ways?

My 7 yr old son, yr 2, is currently spending a lot of time on place value in maths classes. His teacher is newly qualified and really quite on the ball and is teaching using game playing (trading, dominoes, cards etc). He's learning heaps and the focus is on using mental strategies. I can't praise his teacher highly enough.

Then again, I've had no experience of the UK school system, so I can't really compare it to where he would be there.

worzel

Maybe it differs school to school then? I would imagine moving from kindy to pre-primary is more difficult than just a year within primary too.

ohippy

I guess a lot must depend on the school - my 9 and 11 year old are doing work which I consider to be on a par if not further advanced than they were in the UK. In addition to that they have fitness EVERY day, are taught to speak in front of an audience, eldest does ballroom dancing (to pop music), have projects which are relevant and interesting and both absolutely love school and are learning as opposed to just being taught how to pass an exam. I'm much happier with the schools here.

TraceyW

You must be so frustrated C, knowing your girl is capable of so much more and she's not being extended.

There are a few issues with 'gifted' kids who are not challenged; distruptive behaviour in later school years due to boredom, the inability to socially interact with kids their own age to name a couple.

If she is not assessed for PEAC, using the usual methods and by a psychologist who specializes in this field, by the time she is in middle primary, I would really start to stamp my feet if I were you.

northernbird

Yes I agree Worzel, it is different but frustrating.

worzel

Exactly. You don't need to be forcing stuff into kids heads on a rote basis at this age. I had a brilliant primary school teacher who encouraged me to ask questions of everything, not assume, form my own opinions etc. I hope my daughter gets that sort of guidance rather than instruction at this stage.

northernbird

It is frustrating but I have given up stamping my feet for now but will keep an eye on it.

galba

I don't know if your Singaporean friends were Asians or expats but I would not wish the Asian method of education on my kids. In KL the asian kids (Korean, Japanese, Malaysian etc) are constantly doing extra tuition classes, then extra homework from school then extra homework from the tuition class!! One of them in my son's class (age 7) falls asleep at lunchtime because he's not getting to bed until very late because of all the extra pressure. You never see them out playing, kicking a ball around etc.

We've moved countries 3 times now and no matter which curriculum, Scottish, British International or American International the kids take around 3 to 4 months to settle in and catch up/adjust. In the end all I want is for them to be happy, confident and to enjoy their childhood - so what if they are behind another country's curriculum, in the big scheme of things - it all comes out in the wash?

Galba

PS I'm a teacher

Wendy

Exactly why my daughter has been moved. She really couldn't keep up with a class full of 8+ year olds at age 7

Don't do it, really. Let her be a kid, she's got plenty of time for studying

wren

Of course we all want our kids to be happy, well rounded and sociable... but I want them to achieve their full potential academically as well. Eventually they may want to stand on the world stage and actually leave WA! So, it is important that they do well at school.

Maybe they do catch up eventually

I think there is a honeymoon period when you arrive from the UK... it's good the kids are ahead because it enable's them to focus on settling in etc. After this you just want them to get stuck in and achieve what they are capable of.

Wendy

In my experience your kids will do well if they want to. All they need is some support from their parents and teachers, if the teachers aren't doing their part then move them to somewhere where they will.

My oldest son went to one of the worst schools in our county in the UK, but he did really well because his teachers helped him to as he was willing to put in the effort. He's now gone onto University and he's getting top results there too.

My younger son went to one of the better schools in our area, but he didn't want to be there or learn, so they just left him to it, no support, no liaising with me and his Dad they literally just ignored him until they had to write a report.

He's doing better here because it's more fun and he doesn't feel like he's pressured like he was in the UK (his words). His school reports and grades have improved so much it's amazing, it's like they are teaching a different kid.

So, whist its is important for kids to do well at school a lot of it is down to them.

wren

Wendy, I hear your voice of experience

It is hard not to worry about this though- all parents want their kids to do well.

On a more positive note I am so pleased with the increase in confidence my kids are showing... One of our motivations for leaving the UK was for a better life for the kids- they were in school with the local crack dealer's kids