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I really wish I could get the sleep thing to work! She likes her bedtime routine and voluntarily climbs into her bed and drifts off by herself. But this does not translate to sleeping through the whole night. Some nights she wakes up and comes to our bed and manages to sleep the rest of the night. But other times, she spends 2 to 3 hours kicking us, singing, etc. but seems unable to fall asleep again. I don't know how to ensure a good night's sleep for her.

Thanks!

[quote=Ana KI really wish I could get the sleep thing to work! She likes her bedtime routine and voluntarily climbs into her bed and drifts off by herself. But this does not translate to sleeping through the whole night. Some nights she wakes up and comes to our bed and manages to sleep the rest of the night. But other times, she spends 2 to 3 hours kicking us, singing, etc. but seems unable to fall asleep again. I don't know how to ensure a good night's sleep for her.

[/quote]

Oh! How exhausting. Keep a journal for a month on daily activities, exposure to TV/computer/radio, minutes outdoors, food, playmates, your moods, anything you think might be the cause of these kicking hours! Post your results and we'll help anyway we can.

One story I keep hearing is that they child is "burning to learn" and at a much higher level than the parent expected, but compliant enough to do worksheets at a much lower level than the 'readiness level' causing sleep and behavior issues.

I don't personally find 'workbooks' appealing, but for this young age getting a few Sinapore Math and LA workbooks to have around the house and see if she 'finds herself' there may be a good investment.

Good luck!
Grinity

Ana,

The early skipped kids (DS 9 skipped 2nd when he was 7 and DS 5 skipped K when he was 5) had no troubles skipping. They were definitely able to do the work and fit in better with the older kids. No attention or behavior issues (at school). They were fluent readers. Much easier earlier on than for my oldest who skipped 5th. DS 9 broke his arm 3 times and was writing delayed because of it (he used his left to write, then switched, still has poor handwriting, but can type fast We're always considering 2nd skip for DS 9.

cym,
Did you have to lobby for your son's K skip, or did the school recognize that K was not challenging him?

I think I'll give the journal a try. So far (not keeping a journal, though), I've been unable to find any correlations between her day and how she sleeps at night -- I'd pretty much come to the conclusion that it was random. But I think the journal idea is a good one! Thank you!

Ana,

I had DS IQ tested only a week or so before school started, luckily got the results right away, went into school to sit down with principal. There wasn't enough time to schedule IEP (teachers weren't back at school yet, but principal was there). The diagnostician had called ahead either principal or head of gifted dept. When I arrived at principal's office I had papers in hand, but he didn't even ask to see them. He just made some kind of analogy like, "As I understand it, (DS) is far far beyond the other kids in K?" I said, "Yes" and that I wanted to place him in 1st. He said "Fine" told me the teacher he'd be assigned to, and that was that. Paperwork & IEP came about 3 months later. I was so impressed with the principal to do that (most need paperwork in place ahead of time, but this guy was great).

DS really flourished in 1st but started stagnating after a couple months, so at the semester when we had the IEP, he moved to the full time gifted class (they wanted to be sure his basic skills were in place before moving him). He's now in 2nd, but able to work on 4th grade math, 5th grade reading & spelling. Small class of 9 kids (grades K-2) and will move up to the older PEGS class next year.

Wow cym! That's an amazing story. Your principal sounds like a real gem.

I agree, what a great principal! Can I move to your school district ? In this area the public schools' GT programs only begin in grade 3 and age cutoffs seem pretty inflexible.

Thanks for sharing -- and your son sounds like an amazing little boy!

Good luck Ana K!
The journal thing may not work, but it can't hurt! Plus you'll have a great keepsake.

There are always pros & cons to every school/educational setting--I've found. I love our elementary program for EG/PG kids, but I doubt most people would find this town otherwise enticing. I love it--I really think I can be happy anywhere--but it is in the middle of NOWHERE, lots of poverty, mostly a strip mall vista...