What can my daughter and I do to prevent my Grand Child who's 5 years old from being held back in Kindergarten?

Question

My daughter informed me that my 5 year old Grandchild's Teacher wants him to repeat kindergarten here in Mississippi? My Grand Child can count to 100, knows his shapes and colors (since he was 2 years old), he's learned how to add and subtract. The Teacher says that he's a very mannerable child, he works well in a group and one on one, but individually he seems distracted (Some days he does his board work and sometimes he doesn't).We asked my Grand Child why is he not doing his board work, he says that he can't see the board, he's now wearing glasses. He is doing better and has been getting smiley faces, but still at times is distracted, and needs to work more on his handwriting. She advises my daughter that she thinks my Grand Son should repeat Kindergarten along with other students. My Family and I disagree, due to the Pandemic his Headstart was cut short. During Kindergarten school started late, then Students went in small groups on selected days (which means they weren't going everyday). Then the Students were put on quarantine in February due to a Student being diagnoised with the Covid, and were off for two weeks. I don't think this is fair to my Grandchild or the other students who suppose to be held back because of the pandemic.
My Question is what can my daughter do  to prevent my Grand Child from being held back? We are meeting with the Teacher, but she says that it most likely will stand. Should we go to the School Board after we talk with the Teacher?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I think you need to have your grandson evaluated for learning disabilities, as well as for both ADHD and Autism spectrum disorders before you go complaining to the school board about what the teacher wants to do. You mentioned that he has problems with distractability and with inattentiveness, which are both signs of ADHD and also of Autism spectrum disorders. Getting him glasses was a smart move, certainly. But glasses won't be much help to him if he can't learn to sit still and focus for long periods of time. The handwriting thing isn't something I'd worry too much about, because handwriting and penmanship are going to go the way of the Dodo Bird very soon. As long as your grandson can write his name and do a little bit of basic printing by hand, he'll be fine. Most of his learning from now on will be done on a computer or a tablet, and it would be much better for him to start learning how to type at his age, instead of worrying about how well he writes by hand.

Boys are 3 to 5 times more likely to be diagnosed with Autism than girls are, especially if they are of African descent. They also have much higher rates of learning problems, such as ADHD, than girls do. The reasons behind this are not well understood, and research into the causes of this trend is ongoing. These problems are best treated when they are identified early in a child's life and academic career.

? · Answer

yes but he wants the kid to repeat kindergarten for either the kid isnt ready for primary school or the kid is stupid ..!!!!

ron h · Answer

You've given a lot of good reasons for him to repeat kindergarten.  As soon as possible get him involved in playing with other kids.  If there's church school this summer, get him in that or ANY social thing you can find for him.  I'm REALLY glad that you've found that he needed glasses so that you could get that taken care of.

Ludwig · Answer

You should get a private tutor in the evenings to help him practice making plasticine worms and colouring in.

? · Answer

When did he turn 5? Boys often develop a little slower than girls, and are better off being a little older when they start school. My grandson was born on Sept. 3, just past the cutoff for starting kindergarten, so he was almost 6 when he started. But we were fine with that, because it gave him time for social and language development. He's done fine in school every since. You should be looking at this as a failure, or that he's being "held back", but as a chance to prepare him for better success. Would you rather he start 1st grade too soon and fall even farther behind?

Spock (rhp) · Answer

there is no evidence that repeating a grade harms a child, so you are likely to NOT get your wish.

drip · Answer

Teachers usually have a very good reason to recommend a student not move on. They see more five year olds in a school situation they you ever will.
I think his parents really need to look at what the teachers is saying with an open mind.
Covid has messed up a lot of students.
Having him stay back a year because of Covid and online classes can be a good thing, especially for a boy.  It gives them a better base before going on to 1st.  grade. Quit taking this as an insult and realize it could be the best thing you could do for your grandson

Sandy · Answer

could this be racially motivated? you should home school or send your child to another school.

donnie · Answer

This sucks they are tormenting these kids doing this with the scam demic. You need to talk with the teacher about this. I don't know what the best option is since I am not the parent and don't know anyone involved in this. If the child is passing then the child can move on to 1st grade. If not or if they want to take the teachers advice then have them hold him back. Since you are the grandparent you do have a voice and a opinion but the decision is ultimately left up to the parents

Mark · Answer

It might be wise or a good thing for a student to repeat a grade that was interrupted because of the pandemic because they can catch up now instead of having problems later.

What can my daughter and I do to prevent my Grand Child who's 5 years old from being held back in Kindergarten?

11 Answers