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A child has recently joined my group whose parents claim she was born in Feb of 2008, making her 4 years old now. She does not seem 4 years old. She is as tall as many 6-year-olds, she reads, she writes in cursive, she draws detailed figures, and she just does not act like a 4 year old. She comes from Nepal and her father says she went to school there, but I don't think that explains all of it. When I ask her her age, she says she is 4 and holds up 4 fingers. On her medical form that her new pediatrician had to sign when she enrolled, it says she was born 2008. The problem is that I compare her to the other kids, and she does not look or act 4; and if she isn't, then shouldn't she be going to school? How should I deal with this or is this not something I should worry about.
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My cousin had a foster child who looked like the average 5 year old. She posted a picture on facebook then someone curiously asked "Awe how old is she". TWO. She was TWO. Some kids just look a lot older then they really are, and I don't think i'd do much.. *shrug* Maybe in Nepal she's 'average'. -
We have a large population of families from "less developed" countries in our city. For whatever reason - they don't have birth certificates, they came from a refugee camp, miscommunications due to language barriers, in some places they don't keep track of birthdates, whatever the reason - the kids are often really older than what age they give. As this little girl & her parents probably have no control over it and you have documents that say she is 4, I wouldn't worry about it other than maybe giving her more advanced things to do.
PS I don't mean to be rude when I say "less developed." I just don't know any other way to say it.Comment
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Check the laws regarding education in your area. In some states, children don't have to go to school until age 7.Comment
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My daughter will be 4 in a few months. She can read at a first grade level and she writes beautifully (not in cursive but I have never taught that). She is the tallest in her class, and looks and acts like a 6 year old. I would not worry about it. When she does go to school she mighy test out into an older grade and everything will even out. Just go about your regular routine. Put her in a peer leadership role to keep her interested, and it will work out well for you.Comment
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On a side note, where I live there is a large Somalian population nearby. All of their birthdays are January 1st of some random year. My friend is a teacher and she says some of her Somalian high schoolers are probably 20 years old- there's really no way to tell.Comment
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She could be older...or she could be highly gifted. Just love her, and treat her according to her level not her supposed age, and things will be fine.Hee hee! Look, I have a signature!Comment
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I should post a picture of my daughter. She is four and gets mistaken for a six and seven year old ALL the time. She can easily do preschool work and is working on kinder stuff. She will be reading by the end of kinder for sure.
I wouldnt worry about it especially since the parents can prove that she is 4.Comment
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My daughter's 2.5yo but she's tall for her age and verbally advanced. I always get questioned at the playground about her age and usually get a comment that she seems much older. But I'm 100% positive that she was born in 2009 :
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I've seen other kids her age with much more/longer hair or a calm, quiet temperament that makes them seem more mature.
The child may just have some areas that she's advanced in. If she came from a different culture, it may be the norm to teach the children certain things earlier than we do, or the parents may have worked extensively with her for some reason. Does she have older siblings she may have been emulating or doing homework with? Even if she really is 5 or 6, with the documentation you've been provided, I'm not sure how you'd "fight" it.Comment
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