Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Should we start kindergarten early?

THIS, but you'll have to get on having appropriate tests run if you don't have them already. You can figure out the IAS recommendation using the IAS Manual and the appropriate tests.


And this, absolutely. It makes the most sense in terms of the study results and other known problems with ADHD identification and schools.

FWIW my son skipped Kindergarten and entered 1st grade early (late October birthday). He legitimately has ADHD and is ALSO the youngest in his grade, while simultaneously working at a high level for academics. He has 2 classroom teachers job-sharing his class of 27 kids this year (so only 1 at a time, but on different days) and one of them has been just great with him and has glowing things to say; and one of them has complained all year about his "immaturity". He's not immature, he's just impulsive, but his teacher truly doesn't get the difference.

Thanks for all the input! Lots of good points. Hmmm.... I guess I don't know how ADHD is diagnosed. If it's based on a teacher's comparison with other students who happen to be older because a child is accelerated, then the immaturity factor definitely makes sense.

Luckily, the school that DS will be attending has a small class size for kindergarten (max of 12, which is smaller than what he currently has for preschool) and it's a gifted-only school with teachers who are trained for working with gifted children. They are particularly tailored to 2E students and those who might not do well in a traditional school setting, and they are extremely inclusive. So, given all those factors, it seems like a good idea to go ahead and start.