need advice

[JAK]

I have a question for all of you kindergarten teachers.

My ds is 5 1/2 and will start K in the fall. I have a dd who is going to be in second grade and she has taught (through play) my ds quite a bit. He is obsessed with numbers. He can tell time and add and subtract single digits and some double digits. He counts beyond 100 and can write any number you ask him to up to 999. I was wondering if I should try to teach him to read this summer or if I should just wait for him to learn at school. He does know his letters and most of the phonic sounds that they make. I don't want him to be bored at school, but I also don't want him to be so far advanced in one area and not be intrested in another. Any advice? As a teacher, what would you suggest I as a parent do, if anything?

[SAM]

I am a kindergarten teacher. If your son is interested in reading, I would use the BOB book series to get him started. Otherwise, if he doesn't show an interest in learning how to read, I wouldn't push him. Because, sometimes if kids are pushed, they won't want to pursue a given activity when it is necessary.

[JAK]

Where can I find the BOB book series? This past week my ds has been trying to read on his own and with dd's help.

[Mickey]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0439145449/o/qid=994401652/sr=2-1/ref=aps_sr_b_1_1/002-0036473-4468800

Jen, my ds reads these and he's doing very well! You can get them at any book store. There are other sets and levels, too.

[MaryL]

Definately encourage him to read if he is expressing an interest. Kindergarten is as much about social skills as it is about academic skills. I've used the "BOB" books, and also enjoy making up books on our own. Encourage your son to write letters to cousins, friends, grandparents, etc. Ask him to sound out words, and try to figure out how to spell them....doesn't necessarily have to be the correct spelling. Phonetic spelling has it's place in learning also. Does your ds have a library card? I encourage the use of high frequency words...and their memorization (the, a, is, it, and, I, it, in, like, can, go, see, will, we, etc.). You can combine these very important words into short sentences, and make your own stories (illustrate them....use magazine pics, etc).

It sounds as though your son has a fabulous family that is encouraging his learning speed, but not pushing him beyond his natural pace. He won't be bored in Kindergarten as long as you're continuing to encourage his interests outside of school, and acknowledging that yes, he already knows some of the kindergarten skills, but it's never wrong to review! (Hopefully his teacher will be able to keep him moving along at a pace that is comfortable for him.