I have already posted much of this in other places, but in case you haven't read any of it, here it is: I have a bright 3.5 year old girl who has always been very verbally advanced(letter sounds by 1.5, early reading at two, some spelling at two, making up elaborate stories, ryhmes, jokes, at two, using very sophisticated language now at three and reading much better. Her memory is frightening). She is also quite bright with puzzles, shapes, and numbers, and scored very nicely on an IQ test in verbal and performance though she is too young for it to be valid etc. She has been attending preschool twice a week for three hours and many of the children in her class turned four at the beginning of the year whereas she will turn four in May of this year. Now I am trying to decide what to do for preschool next year and kindergarten the year after. Her school is very play based and their "academics" are covering things she knew before her second birthday. I COULD move her to a longer, more academic program, but I see value in letting her just learn to socialize better and not be off to school that much yet. Our kindergarten only goes from 8:00 until 10:40 every day. She can sit for story time and loves to participate in circle time, but is a very very high energy, spirited, bossy, chatty little girl. I would not call her emotionally mature, but she isn't the worst in the bunch either and pays rapt attention to books when they are read or if something interesting is happening. Many of the children in my upper middle class district will hold their children back until they are 6 or have children who turn 6 soon after kindergarten starts, so even if she goes on time, she will be way ahead academically but possibly behind emotionally and socially. She has wonderful fine motor skills and her drawing is very sophisticated (animals with bodies, heads,tails, antlers, eyes, nose, mouth,ears, hooves, etc.)and her coloring is very neat, in the lines, etc. Her teacher says she give directions for a craft and my DD3 just heads to her table and jumps in and needs little guidance. She has always been a little slow with her gross motor and is a little clumsy at times and is one of the shortest kids in her preschool class. She is pretty(the only reason I am mentioning this is because I have read studies that suggest that children are treated differently based on appearance) and outgoing and the other kids do like her, but sometimes she overwhelms and scares them with her intensity and impulsiveness. Homeschooling is not an option: she doesn't want to learn from me, loves being around other kids, and I need breaks from her intensity. I just worry what in the world environment would be the right fit for her and will take any advice. Thanks.
