Hi - I'm new to this forum, but I just had to comment to agree with Val. My feeling is that not giving early readers more challenging material in school might have a great deal to do with them losing their edge.
I'm in a frustrated mood right now because my first-grade son's teacher is stifling his advanced interests and skills by requesting that he not write about, say, the periodic table or neutron stars but rather what he did yesterday. He was an early, self-taught reader and is still three years or so ahead of his age peers in fluency and comprehension. His wide reading means he has a good grasp of all kinds of more advanced subjects. The GATE program at this school doesn't kick in until 4th grade and I don't think we should have to wait another three years before the school will help foster my son's special abilities. He's ready NOW. Grrr.
Thanks for listening.
