How Gifted Preschoolers Handle Kindergarten

Preparing for Kindergarten

• Gifted children might do well in a typical kindergarten, that is, in a classroom with varied abilities. "In the preschool and primary years, mixed-aged groupings are beneficial, as long as the gifted child is not the oldest in the group," according to an article by the Child Development Institute. In preparation for the transition to kindergarten, parents should spend time with the teacher, discussing the needs and expectations for the child. Parents should not put too much pressure on their child to fit in with their peers. This might make the child feel anxious in school.

Finding the Right Fit

• If the child experiences difficulty in her new school, the parents and teacher need to look at the child's overall development to decide how to handle the problem. They should determine whether he needs to spend more time with true peers, that is, children who are his age but who are also cognitively advanced. If these students are not in the same grade or the school doesn't have a gifted program at the school, he might benefit from early entrance to a higher grade level that is more appropriate for his intelligence.

The Right Kind of Classroom

• Classrooms that work best for gifted kindergarteners offer lots of choices to the child and are open, flexible environments for learning. This setup encourages creativity and fosters independence. Gifted children can thrive in this type of classroom because it enables them to explore new topics at their own speed.

Extra Help for Parents

• Parents of gifted children would benefit from seeking out support groups consisting of other families with similarly advanced children. They can share experiences and offer advice to each other, particularly about working with the child's classroom teacher. Engaging with other parents of gifted children will help them to feel less isolated, and more empowered to be an advocate for their child.