Skipping first grade

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Home : 2003 : November : 16

Skipping first grade
By Elaine

The last word of your message is key: successfully. No one can predict whether or not skipping first grade will be successful for him. Why do the parents want him to skip? If you are providing appropriate activities for
him (and it sounds like you are), is there some other reason they want him to skip? I have heard many times of students skipping a grade. I guess I just wonder "why?" I had a student several years ago in my Kdg. class who just didn't "fit". She was truly a first grader in every way, except age. Academically, socially, and physically, she was mature enough for first grade (and possibly

beyond). So after the first quarter of Kdg. we moved her to first grade. She is now in 7th grade and is a perfect fit. Last year I skipped a tiny student who ended up thriving in first. My only hesitation at that time was her physical size (she was small even for Kdg.). She did great and is now ahead of her class in second grade. Other than using my end of the year assessment for these students, I guess it's just instinct to let you know if a student should skip (that, and LOTS of communication with the parents and first grade teacher). Having said all of this, I do realize that having a child skip Kindergarten is quite different from skipping first grade. Good luck.