There are arguments for both sides

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Home : 2003 : November : 16

There are arguments for both sides
By Cathy-Dee

It really does depend on the child in many respects. I do think maturity plays a huge part, a child who is not socially mature usually does not do as well when they skip a grade. What ends up happening is that social immaturity
just gets more "highlighted" as the child moves on. This can lead to bullying, teasing and low self-esteem.
Does this always happen, no, but it can be one of the downsides to a child skipping a grade.
I think there is a place for skipping a grade but the parents, your administration and the child need to be on the same page. I would talk with his previous teacher and your

administration to find out why he wasn't skipped and use that information to discuss this further with the parents. I would not move him part way through the year as the change would be perhaps a bit too much for him. He may indeed be a child who should skip second grade and go into third grade next year.

What are his work habits like, can he do his work quickly and neatly. Are you well aware of what the grade 2 or 3 students are doing right now in their classes? Perhaps take one class to visit and see what they are doing so that you can have a better idea of whether or not your student could handle not only the work itself but the pace that it is done.

I have found the few students I have skipped into a higher grade struggled the first 2-3 months because they just couldn't keep up the pace. Sometimes we forget all the little things we teach throughout the year from copying from a board, to learning how to self check work, etc.,