fraser

Henry doesn't even know the days of the week, yet he did when he was two.

It's wierd that they never do any counting or anything at kindy, yet when he'd just turned two he could count to 10.

He's always been so forward and I think his brain has turned to mush from lack of stimulation.

Wendy

Without trying to sound nasty or anything, if you think he needs more stimulation then give him some yourself if the schools won't let him start yet.

Set him work to do to keep him busy after kindy. It doesn't have to be much, just a few sums or some basic reading.

When he does eventually start school, if they think he's bored in class they will move him up a year (or that's what both the school's my kids go to have said they will do).

fraser

I think I'm going to pull him out of kindy as it's a waste of money and he often comes home saying that it's boring.

Wendy

I can't really comment on the Kindies here, cos I have no kids that young (thank God I'm past all that ) But if you feel he's not getting anything out of it then yes pull him out.

He'd get more out of being set a few hours of work by you and Rachel than by being bored all day. Can you get someone from the UK to send out some of them curriculum books from Woolworths?, they kept my little amused for the few weeks before we came out here.

You do have to think about the impact of him not getting any contact with other kids though, which is also an important part of school IMO.

fraser

That is the only reason he's there and he does get excited about going, he just always seems fed up when we pick him up.

ozzieeagle

All 3 of our girls could read before they started school. Our son 8 has only learnt to read fluently in the last 6-12 months... by that I mean capable of reading a newspaper. The empthasis here is on socialisation in the early years, more than anything academic.

I beleive I'm correct in saying they followi the Scandianavian and Dutch models here, where the powers that be think that socialisation in the early years is more important than adademic standards..... which comes from Playgroup at 2 ish.... then 3 yo kinder, then 4/5 year old kinder... (one year of which is that same as nursery school in the UK Apparently).... Then into the acadmic stuff, which is epxected here to have been started by the parents and the kinder.

I'm not 100 pct sure if the following statement is correct.... but I beleive more Aussie kids get to university entry levels for university placement than the UK.... that desire to learn in later years, apparently comes from getting the building blocks right in the early years. Thats the main aim of education in the first place, not how and when it starts surely ?

My 12 year old daughter is starting high school next year.... I dont know how she did it, but in the High acheievers class at Northcote. more than 20 pct of her education was provided by her mum. Looks like a hell of a lot of homework is coming into this house. Dammit !

Wendy

My kids are more fed up when they go then when the finish.

fraser

His kinder does no academic stuff

ozzieeagle

What no sitting down and listening to stories... no painting or modelling.... no going out on outings other things that train/teach them to concentrate,

What they are after...the schools... is kids that will sit for at least an hour without disturbing other kids. Thats what I've been told by schools here, is the entry level expected.

fraser

Rachel has just told me that in his new school the first year is focused on sports and trying to find which they're good at

He can't read he can't write and yet he's probaly the most forward in his class.

Mind you he'll be good at chasing an egg.

fraser

Mate that's not my idea of academic, he should be learning about letters and numbers, he was when he was 18 months old.

ozzieeagle

I need a primary school teacher to back me up here.... I'm pretty sure that sitting down and listening to people reading, backed up with painting and drawing the story that has been told is part of the process of learning to read. Improves fine motor skills and concentration levels etc.

Also if a kid is bouncing around in class, because he or she is not mature enough then the kinders havn't done their job properly.

Our oldest daughter was definitely able to read at 5, in fact I think she was fully reading at 4.... she was definitely not mature enough for school even at age 5. too bouncy, (some parents like to use the lable A.D.D on those types of kids) We regret now we didnt follow the pattern we have with our other 3 kids, in starting them as late as possible. She doesnt have the drive that the other 3 do... it comes in my opinion from being singled out for discipline matters in her early years. Who knows really though... I just know the other 3 learn willingly in co-operation with others.


Every one has their own thoughts on this subject though, and no one is purely right in my opinion. However I will say the outcome in the later years that is whats important.

Tell you what I did with Ethan recently.... quite interesting from my point of view... seeing as we have always had some aspects of our kids education backed up with private tuition... Ethan can draw really well, he is 8 and drawing at a very good 10 year olds level.... Natural talent on his behalf I suppose..... However his writing was terrible. So I said to him... 'How comes you can draw so well but cannot write so good'..... He said "I'm not so interested in writing" then he realised what he had said.... Anyway outcome was and now being a lot more patient with my kids.... I said if you can show me you can write properly, I'll get you a PSP for xmas and an Ipod... His writing improved overnight to the tune that he received pupil of the month for the whole school. He has to keep it up till xmas to get the gifts, which means he really will be earning it, in my book at least. He would have propbably ended up with one of those gifts for xmas anyway, Possibly saved me some private tution lessons in the future as well.

Like I've said everyones got their own ways, it's the outcome thats important.

fraser

Mate it sounds like you're going to be doing a lot of overtime if he keeps advancing at that rate

Well done Ethan

MrsDagboy

If the child is so bright, then do something with him to stimulate his mind. Why is it that the kindy is expected to do it all? If they dress kids up as easter bunnies & get them to sing Peter Rabbit & you arent happy with that (personally I dont see anything wrong with that for a 4 year old! but hey different strokes for different folks) either pull him out or do something yourself with him. If he could name the days of the week & count to 10 at 2 & he cant now, why is that the kindy's fault? Don't use the excuse that he's "forgotten" all this stuff cos the kindy doesnt teach it, if you ran through stuff even once a week with him he wouldnt "forget" it.

Ours boys are year 3 (aged 8) & have reading ages of 12 years 4 months & 11 years 8 months. Why? Because we encourage them to read a variety of things at home, help them with their reading, help them with the meanings of words etc. Our boys are tested by a psychologist every 6 months & we take the results to the school & are involved in their education. We talk to the teachers, discuss what their needs & abilities are & work out a plan of action. As a result, the boys have really done well in their schoolwork, even those parts that they weren't originally very good at ie writing & art.

As for the question "Why do kids start school so late here?" the answer is easy.

Because it's different.

thebears

I think generally its just play time until 3 here. Then depending on which nursery or childcare they attend a more formalised education program starts.

We did find the reading level etc behind when comparing my daughters nursery in the UK to the one she is currently attending in Oz. However they provide alot more outdoor play and attention to other areas of her development. This obviously cannot be applied or generalised because it is only our experience. There were some pretty poor nurserys we heard of in the UK as there are some no doubt better nurseries than ours here in Oz.

She gets alot more stimulation at home with books and puzzles. We also make it a point to involve her in everyday life for example the shopping in which she learns all about fruit, vegetables, meat etc and counting one banana, two banana etc.

Although there is always the inevitable pressure for them to succeed academically it is till nice for them to be just kids and enjoy being a kid with kids. Rather she her smiling face than her suffering an exam stress headache at this age