I am a preschool (ECE teacher) for almost 20 years, and my experiences tell me that it is difficult to make a decision as a parent what we want the best for our child. Cory is at this level where we realized that he is not ready for "mainstream" approach at our local school. He is approaching age-appropriate all area of developments except for speech. We don't want just put him in Kindergarten at Carrie-Anne's school and then do "wait and see"...I am afraid that might be setting him up for fail. I did thought about him going for another year of preschool but I know too well how school's protocol works.
Ideally, anyone who withheld their child from going to Kindergarten, (for another year of preschool,) the school district will AUTOMATICALLY put them straight to grade one without a question! then you're stuck with negotiations, and trying to push for going to K instead etc will be a long battle. Its just that they are pretty firm with age - year following levels. From my experience, it's BETTER for Cory (or any other kids) to go ahead to Kindergarten whether they are not "ready" or not. The school can START their own evaluations or assessments during that time, and if there is any concerns they can work on it during that time. Rather than delay when the child is in grade one..you would have to wait another year...which its not good in my experience to delay any further. The early intervention, the better, so therefore don't want delay Cory's needs by holding him back. The school has a different procedures, policies, its a whole new ballpark and they prefer to do their own thing. When it's a better time to do it? Kindergarten or grade one..it's not hard to figure that out. If then, Cory needs to repeat Kindergarten, fine by with me. Its better that way. I know I want him to attend another year of preschool, because it's feeling safe and not wanting to let go in that scary new world out there and I want him to catch up.
But I do have to let him go and let the nature take course with the school district. the sooner the better. They can work with him and if needed, they will help and get the resources we need. It's better now, not wait until grade 1. I am also afraid if I held him back, then in following year, they will put him straight to grade 1, not Kindergarten! That happened to many kids, I heard. Some districts are strict with that. Don't want to take that chance.
Look like we need to find a resource type of school for him so he can get the resources he needs to work on, rather than our local area school. In few years, maybe he will be ready to attend Carrie-Anne's school some day. It is our jobs to help and work with Cory for few more years.
ADOPTING A DEAF BOY, OUR JOURNEY & EXPERIENCES WITH COCHLEAR IMPLANTS.
Well as you know we kept Alicia back after grade 2, so she repeated grade 2 twice. It was not an easy decision at all,I spent many hours crying over what was the right decision for her. Her seizure disorder has made her severly delayed in all academic areas,we really hoped by keeping her back it would give her a chance to catch up,the school was very supporter of our decision. We did have to meet with a representative from the school board, she tried to discourage us against it but we stood our ground knowing our child's capabitities. The lady from the school board had met Alicia once for one afternoon of accessment so she really had no clue!I asked her to respect our decision as we took the entire grade 2 year to make our decision and we know our child better than any one else.We never thought of holding Alicia back in kindergarten or grade 1 as she was only slightly delayed but as time went on we realized she was really struggling. Alicia is now in grade 4 and although she still struggles academically socially she is in a far better place than she was. We have no regrets about our decision and Alicia adjusted very well to the changes. I dont wish this decision upon any parent, its a terible spot to be in. Cory is very smart and social I'm sure he would adjust very well to kindergarten.Only you know your child the best and don't let the school tell you otherwise. Over the years I've learned that I need to speak up and be an adevocate for Alicia at the school level or they will just push her through and I want so much more for her! Its tough to know whats right when they are so young just go with your gut feeling!
ReplyDeleteI currently work in kindergarten in Coquitlam School District and can see clearly even by December, which kids are delayed and which are more of the "problem behaviours" that need intervention. Kindergarten itself is optional in my district and what it means, parents can make the decison to send their children to kindergarten or not. The BC government recently made a trial run to make kindergarten a full day in many schools and my school is one of them.
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