This morning I went to http://www.isyourchildready.com/ to take a quiz and see where Urban stacks up in terms of kindergarten readiness. No big shock, he's ready. Too bad he has to wait another year.
I understand that 50% of MN 5-year-olds have not mastered the skills they need to know to enter Kindergarten, and that this site is to encourage those parents and give them the tools they need to help their kids change that. Here is my frustration, however: what about the ones that are not just ready, but more than ready?
I wish that there was a place on this sight where parents like my husband and me could go to find enrichment activities; suggestions for who to talk to in the schools to ensure that, once our child is in school, he will be challenged - even a link on the resources page to the MN Council for the Gifted and Talented would be nice. I have worked hard to find resources on my own, and still I have more questions. I understand that we, as a nation, are working to make sure that "no child is left behind", but, in some ways, I feel like mine is. He needs extra help and special attention too. He is hungry for information and gobbles up new skills and ideas like candy. What is going to happen when he starts school next year reading and doing math calculations - not just with the 50% of kids who aren't "ready", but also with the others who know what they should?
It's hard for me to even write this post because I know that there are people rolling their eyes and thinking, "What is she complaining about? Just shut up and feel lucky that your kid is doing well." All kids are special. I do not disagree with that. Kids are amazing, but each one has special needs and each one should have those needs met. Just like everyone else, all I want is what's best for my kid. I want him to thrive and be happy and live up to his potential.
All that said, I am excited that I found a strong, private pre-K program for him that he will start after we move. He will be learning a Kindergarten curriculum, with a strong art, math and science foundation. We went last night to an open house there. It was a wonderful opportunity for Urban to meet his new teachers and classmates and to see the classroom and playground. They did a scavenger hunt that was a very fun and interesting way for them to assess his skills. He had to count, match colors and shapes, copy letters, match animals to footprints, dig for Egyptian treasure and bounce a ball. He loved it! When we took him outside, he immediately ran and joined a group of boys tearing around the play structure. The director just looked at us and said, "so, he clearly doesn't need me to introduce him to new friends." We smirked.
It's comforting to know that he can make himself at home in new situations – that he can run out and make friends and adapt, even when he is unsure of the situation. That makes me proud. Even Beringer, our little stranger-danger boy, was happy and flirting with the teachers. He actually crawled around the playground a bit. And in the end, neither wanted to leave. Urban was ready to hang out in his new classroom and get down to it. They even offer cooking classes! He will be in heaven.
Education is an important and challenging next step in Urban's young life. Brett and I are his advocates, his guides and his cheerleaders. We chose our new home specifically for the schools and programs that are offered. My greatest hope is that our advocate/guide/cheerleading team grows and grows with every year. It's all we can ask for, really.
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