Thank you all for your advice and comments regarding KK's new affinity for all things not sleep. Fortunately, we had such great advice, we decided to try everything... and so far, it has worked.
L&L, thank you for the reminder of the music... that seems to be key. She listens to the bottom tune for naps and the top one for nighttime.
We also incorporated the crib/pack-n-play advice from ya'll. She takes a nap in her pack-n-play and sleeps in her big girl bed at night.
We also tried placing a gate at her door so she couldn't get out of her room... not a winner.
Bribery has played a key roll in this latest adventure. I made a 'Staying in Bed' chart, where the girls (e had to be involved too, of course) receive a special sticker every morning after they have stayed in their beds. After 5 stickers, they get to choose a special place to go or thing to do. So far, so good. We are on week two. e's task has been changed to 'No screaming or crying for Mom,' since that has been a frequent occurrence over the past couple of weeks. We will get past this... I swear.
Since you all have such great advice... let's throw a new dilemma your way.
As most of you know, e started Kindergarten when we were in California. She was young, but California has a late cut-off date, so we figured, 'what the heck?'. MD, on the other hand, does not have a late cut-off, so that makes her really, really young. We have been given these options:
1. Put her in Kindergarten now and she proceeds as normal.
2. Put her in Kindergarten now and re-start her in Kindergarten next fall.
3. Possibly put her in the public school pre-K program (if she gets in since it is tiered... those with most need get the spots).
4. Put her in a private preschool or Kindergarten program.
5. Don't put her in anything and do home schooling when KK sleeps.
And, to make matters worse... the school that is in our backyard is a Title 1 school which means that over 50% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch. It was named as a 'Distinguished School,' which means that they have dramatically increased their test scores. She will definitely learn about diversity and learn to appreciate what she has... but I am worried that she might get lost since she is really smart. There is a public charter school here that we have applied for (for Kindergarten in the fall) that works on a lottery system. So, we won't know if she got in for awhile, but I am not sure if that's the right place either.
Quite a dilemma, wouldn't you say? What do ya'll think?
9 comments:
Don't take this the wrong way, but it sounded to me like you answered your own question. You wrote that you're, "worried she might get lost since she is really smart." Well then, I would definitely start with option 1. Put her in Kindergarten and see how she does. If she's smarter than the average kid her age there, then it's all the more reason she should start a year early and it shouldn't matter that she's young / early in comparison to her peers.
If the change between school systems was too much and she's behind the power curve, then go ahead and let her redo kindergarten (option 2), but I would wait to make that judgment until you see how she does.
On a tangentially related topic, I highly recommend the book Military Brats: Legacies of Childhood Inside the Fortress by Mary Edwards Wertsch. She talks about some of the challenges of moving from one school district to another when you move every couple of years as a military brat.
Not like I have tons of experience with this or anything ;) but I would say to try to get her in something school-like for the rest of this year. That way she won't be out of the school routine all year. Plus it will give her a chance to make new friends and socialize with 'big kids' (and give mommy a break!). I think it will also help her develop her identity as an east coast girl...moving can be hard on kids when they have to leave all their old friends behind and make new ones (I’m sure you know that though! but the psych degree has to make its presence known....lots of $$ went in to that damn piece of paper).
I don't know how churchy (is that even a word? don't think so) you guys are, if at all, but a church pre-school might be easier to get into than a private school or even the public school. If she could get in the public school though, I think that would be a great experience for her, not to mention super convenient for you....tough call. I wish you guys luck with that!
this is a dilemma, my friend, and we're facing the same questions. i think it all comes down to factoring everything out but little e. look at her and see what it is she needs. you, E and L&L know her best and you will know what she needs. don't worry about anyone else and what they think you should do. we're having to really stick to our guns on our decision to put t in a pre-k type situation and then into public school the following year. she's intellectually ready, but needs more social. people seem to be pushing us to put her in a program now, but with dad leaving and trying to adjust from a move, i'm thinking it's all too much on a little body and mind. good luck, and let us know what happens. just love on her, that's what my mom always tells me....
Title 1 Is Your Friend
Hard choices with a move and new rules in each state. Would be so smart to have a universal starting age but….
I would not be worried about the school due to the Title 1 funding. It is such a wonderful thing for kids who need a boost in reading or math early on so things get on track. I have had students who received Title 1 in early grades and were high school Merit scholars. The thing to look for is active parenting and values of families. The difficult situations I saw were primarily from absentee parents and kids left to fend for themselves.
The neighborhood school means knowing kids who live close to you and the location of the school is perfect. You are very involved parents and you will see early how the school feels. There is a point where the balance of kids with exceedingly high needs tip the scale. I doubt it is due to kids with learning that needs a jump-start but other factors.
Somehow I would not put her in kindergarten now, as it is too hard to explain why she isn’t going on with the same group.
Not sure what to say about other options but she has a great start and excellent parents who know her best. So don’t worry and just enjoy getting to know your new area and opportunities there.
That is my two cents.
I don't know that I have any great input... Obviously, E is more than ready both socially and intellectually to succeed at the K level. I still would be concerned for years to come about her being so young compared to her class. There are so many things I don't want my girls rushed into ... I think for myself I would like the local school next year, with preK and/or homeschooling and extracurricular activities this year. Just my two cents, currently only worth one...
for what it's worth we put B in public school this year after a private Kindergarten last year. as you know her b-day is in May so she is a really young first grader. We really struggled at first because they expected so much out of these little kids, but we have stuck with it and she is flourishing. this isn't advice just what we experienced. Hope it helps a little. This school is also one of the distinguished Texas schools.
Glad to hear the sleep issues are starting to work out. The star chart is a great idea...our elder has a chore chart...same theory...after 'x' number he gets something special. It really seems like a great way to allow them to learn good habits and work towards incentives.
I wish I could provide advice on the school situation but as big kid will start K this coming fall, we're not there yet. Its tough as a parent to not second guess decisions but rest assured you will likely make the best decision for your little one!
I can't imagine that you could go wrong whatever your decision, because even though you're uncertain, you really know what's best for her. I like the idea of classmates living nearby. Putting her in something now might be good for her, and give her a special thing of her own. If you find something nearby, maybe she'll have a friend to go to school with in the fall. B
Tripped across your blog, can't remember exactly how I got here, but thanks for sharing your life.
Here's the two-cents of a complete stranger: homeschool her.
But, I'm afraid I'm biased. I have homeschooled my children since the beginning (of time, um, no). Seriously, no matter what life threw our way, homeschooling fit our lifestyle and educational needs.
I now have a high school graduate who is involved in an internship for the next two years.
My youngest child will graduate in two years, she's thinking about Astro-Physics.
It can be done! Good luck!
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