Need some perspective on kids focusing in school (long)

I really struggled with the decision on whether to send DS1 to kindergarten. I knew he was academically ready, but worried about other factors. He loves school and I'm hoping that we made the right decision. We had the open house at his school on Tuesday night. I briefly asked the teacher how he was doing. She said he was doing well, is very smart and has a high skill level, but she also mentioned that he spaces out a lot and she really needs to reel him back in at times. She said it's probably related to his age. He's the youngest in his class of 14. Some kids are at least 1 year older than him.

I know it's just the beginning of school and it's only kindergarten, but I think my initial struggle about whether to send him is making me over analyze things. I know I'm being ridiculous, but I can't stop thinking about the fact that he spaces out and am second guessing whether we should've sent him to school. The teacher didn't seem too concerned about it, but I'd like to do whatever I can to nip this in the bud before it becomes an issue. Is it normal for kids his age to space out a lot? Is it something he'll just grow out of? I wonder if it's going to be obvious for a while that he's younger than the other kids and make things more difficult for him.

I also wonder if he could be zoning out because he's bored at times. At orientation, the teacher showed me examples of books that they want kids to be able to ready by the end of the school year. He's already reading at that level. Last night, she talked about wanting the kids to count to 100 by the end of the year and recognize all of the numbers in between. He was doing that at 3.5. At home, he has a great attention span. He can sit for at least 30 minutes working on 100 piece jigsaw puzzles and read pretty long books in one sitting.

I talked with him about how important it is to pay attention in class. He said he gets distracted when kids make noises. When I told him he'll miss out on learning things, of course he said he'll just figure it out and look at the paper. Other than continuing to talk to him about trying to pay attention, is there anything else I can do to help him stay focused? Did anyone else have any issues or concerns with DC not paying attention? Did anything help?

Need some perspective on kids focusing in school (long)

I will say two things. I have a son who is now in fifth grade and I had similiar issues in K with him.

1) many boys, while ready for kindergarten, are not mature enough for it. They're academically ready but not emotionally ready. So I wonder if it could all be overwhelming for him and he's zoning out because of it.

2) This was a red flag for us in K. The teacher told me that my son was often "zoning out" or "spacing out" and she would often have to physically touch him to get his attention. She suggested we have his hearing checked because she thought maybe he couldn't hear her. Two years later he was diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD. Mind you, this may not be the case with your son, but I wanted to put it out there. My son is not hyper, he simply cannot focus at ALL. And this was the first sign that he displayed.

Need some perspective on kids focusing in school (long)

I am kind of in the same situation where I am second guessing myself; however, if it makes you feel better my situation I think is worse.

Ajay missed the cutoff by two weeks. Daycare wasnt providing him with what he needed and he is a very smart and articulate boy. Well he has had some very bad days. I am talking about screaming and throwing the worse tantrums. Its even more difficult because he doesnt do that at home at all. I just been working with the teacher and communicating to teach Ajay how he should act in school. Hopefully we will get him on the right track.

I think you should give your DS time and maybe talk to him and see if he gives you some insight. It can be some type of disorder like mentioned above or it can just be boredom and just his need to get used to the routine. Try not to be hard on yourself and if the teacher isnt concerned then thats a good thing.

I would just keep talking with him and discussing his day and communicate things he can do. Also keep an open line of communication with the teacher.

Good luck!

Re: Need some perspective on kids focusing in school (long)

Same issue here, ds is still 4 and a total space cadet. I put him in K because I don't believe in holding children back. My ds is also very bright, but gets bored and distracted easily. If things go wrong, I have no problem holding him back one year. I think the kids this age ( under 5) need a bit more time to adjust. When December comes, I plan on talking with the teacher in depth about my son. I want her to form her own conclusions about DS. I know how you feel

Message edited 9/12/2013 1:43:57 PM.

Need some perspective on kids focusing in school (long)

How can the teacher honesty assess your child when school JUSt started? Give it some time.

Kids need to adjust into the hours and the routine and stuff. Leave it be and re-access end of this month. :)

Re: Need some perspective on kids focusing in school (long)