Hello!

My child is in Prep this year, at the start of the year we were asked to get tested for giftedness. now few months down the line, it still hasn’t happened, due to covid and everything which is fine I am not fussed whether gifted or not but what I am struggling with I the fact that said child is not being stimulated enough and although enjoying school, is not thriving and is almost losing her want excitement to learn. Is almost finished with homework for the year and upon asking the teacher what will be next, I was told nothing. so I am worried that said child will be bored for the next 4 months and on top of that, how is that stimulating my child to thrive. I can understand the need to keep everyone at the same level but not at the expense of making my child unhappy and unexcited about school. At times even dumbing themselves :(

how would you deal with this and what can I do ?
Child is in a public school.

Thank you very much ????


Want more real mum questions sent to you?

You'll need to check this email to complete your signup.
  • I would suggest finding activities outside of school to keep your child interested and engaged.


  • You can stimulate her at home. Reading, writing, building, scouts or other clubs.. asking the child questions and together finding the answers. My son asked for extra homework in kinder. Was told it was not school policy. It didn’t stop him doing more himself. My daughter was never given extra work (and during COVID the teachers are pushed to their limit,) but she was offered a place in a selective high school. She ended up in a Christian school where she thrived.


  • Take it into your own hands and perhaps do extra stuff with her outside of school. Sometimes a whole classroom can make it tough to offer dedicated help or time for individuals


  • I had the same issue with my daughter. The school finds it just as difficult to cater for gifted children as they do for children who have learning delays. I found that it was easier to provide my own worksheets that she could do during school if she had finished the required class work. The school would sometimes send her to one of the older classrooms to get a bit of extra stimulation too. If the school offers composite classes make sure she is always in the lower year level so that she will have stimulation from the older children. Thankfully high school is a little more equipped and offer advanced learning programs you can look forward to taking advantage of.


  • Sorry to hear your situation. Is there anything you can provide in the interim to stimulate your child’s interest in learning? There are excellent resources (free) on the internet! I found if interested in tech and coding that the OSMO products at JBHFI and online are really great. Hopefully for you and your child things are better next year. Good Luck!


  • My daughter was in a similar situation. She was above most of the other kids academically but the teacher wouldn’t provide harder work for her. The reason given was that the children who were struggling would fall further behind if some kids were given the next level of work


  • Is there any thing you can do to stimulate her and encourage her learning? There are lots of resources online. I know lockdown has hit everyone pretty badly and i’m sure it’s not on the top of the teachers list to do, although it should be of some importance.


  • I don’t think you have to rely on the teacher to prepare more work for her, there are plenty of online resources you can investigate and prepare yourself. Besides that you can encourage the development of many different skills. One thing what I did when my kids were younger is having them write daily a story in a journal (nice keepsake for later as well) or have them write letters with drawings to elderly / sick people in nursing homes.


  • Maybe push teacher more for preparing someting for your kid or look for some resources online.


  • Have you talked to the school? Keep harassing them, they should be able to provide some extra stuff, if not maybe it is worth considering changing schools to one that will support her


  • I would ask to see a copy of the school Prep and Grade 1 curriculum. Seems strange the Teacher would say nothing is next as there should be a continuum of learning.


  • I would speak with the principal as the teacher should be catering for your childs’ needs. Otherwise I know it isn’t up to you – but you could ask the teacher if you can get some harder textbooks that you can send in for him to use at school. unfortunately there won’t be much in public school until year 3-4 when they can apply for local year 5 opportunity classes.


  • Your teacher should be catering for all needs within their classroom including the lowies and the higher levels. You may need to speak with the Principal about extension work for your child?


Post your reply

To post a review/comment please join us or login so we can allocate your points.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join