skipping grades

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skipping grades
By Julianne

Yes, it is pretty crazy. But it's been my experience that many parents really want to rush their young children ahead. I can see the parent's desire to have bragging rights when their child is placed ahead a grade. And
there are a few, very special circumstances when a child does need a different grade placement. But my personal and professional opinion is that it is seldom the best solution for an overly bright child. It causes social problems that may not surface right away, but will likely come back to cause trouble as the child ages. For instance, when will this little girl begin to date? When

she is an appropriate age, or a year early when all her friends begin to date? She will be the last of her group to receive a driver's license. She will enter college at 17. Will she be ready to live away from home at that age?

I have some experience with this subject as I was moved ahead when I was young. It was the school district and not my parent who made the decision to move me ahead. I was bright and did well academically. But socially I struggled. I see that same struggle in very young children in my classes. It's just not a good idea to rush our children. Let them be kids for as long as they need to be.