Some parental advice from all the lovely parentals? Non parentals also welcome :D

[Cecelia]

I'd say that it's a good opportunity for your daughter to skip ahead. I've known students who've skipped grades (not my kids, they're smart but they're not advanced. They're still special to me though), and most of them are very happy students. The ones that aren't tend to be the ones with parents who don't think it's important for them to be kids, and push them and push them. Given that you've talked to her about it to see what she wants, and thought about how it might make her feel leaving her friends behind you sound like a great mother. Certainly not like the ones that would jump at this opportunity without thinking about it, and not even take time to talk to their kids about it.

[Losty]

Thank you Cecelia that's very sweet to say

[Faith No More]

Certainly not like the ones that would jump at this opportunity without thinking about it, and not even take time to talk to their kids about it.

That's what my parents did. They rode me like a horse, and my feelings never even came into consideration. They wanted a successful child, and I was a means to that end. Of course, there were other issues with my parents, but I ended up becoming an extreme underacheiver. I also ended up with a strong resentment towards my parents.

I just think you can't discount a child's opinion, no matter what the age. If you try to force them to do things they don't want to, that can backfire. Sometimes it's best to let them go at their own pace. That's not to say you shouldn't do all you can to push her to choose to move ahead, but if she strongly objects, forcing her to do it could be unhealthy for your relationship.

[Jenny A]

I just think you can't discount a child's opinion, no matter what the age.  If you try to force them to do things they don't want to, that can backfire.  Sometimes it's best to let them go at their own pace.  That's not to say you shouldn't do all you can to push her to choose to move ahead, but if she strongly objects, forcing her to do it could be unhealthy for your relationship.

Absolutely.  Kids often have a very good ideas about where they belong.

[BrokenQuill92]

I would if you can just let her take one or two ap classes. If she asks for more then let her have more. But don't throw a small fry in a shark tank. Not to mention I'm sure she will still need to socialize with peers her own age.

[GrandizerII]

I say don't worry, let her go for it now, quench her thirst for a challenge.

[brewer]

Do what you think is best. If you need to, make a pro/con list with your daughters input. Might help both of you to decide. I do like the idea of taking one or two advanced classes at first (rather than skipping a whole grade) to test the waters if that is an option. That was my track.

Children at that age are very mentally flexible. No matter what you decide she'll turn out great.

Good luck!

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Move her up, Losty. She sounds a remarkably bright girl, I don't imagine that 'measuring up to older kids' is going to be a problem for her. Kids at that age are amazingly adaptable and resilient. It's probably better to give her the opportunity for the advanced class. If she can't adjust, you can always move her back.

I can empathize with her, as I'm somewhat advanced myself. I'm 45, but I read at a 48 year old level.

Boru

[Jenny A]

I can empathize with her, as I'm somewhat advanced myself.  I'm 45, but I read at a 48 year old level.  

Boru

  Best laugh I had all day.  But is 48 a higher or a lower level than 45.  At 53 I not so sure I read better than I did at 45.

[drfuzzy]

Sorry to be late to this thread.  My cousin's daughter was in the very same boat at 7.  She was bored at school.  They even had some minor trouble with her, because she got her assignments done quickly and then started roaming around the room, trying to help everybody else!

They jumped her up a grade and put her in the accelerated program.  She is MUCH happier, and doesn't mind being shorter than most of her classmates.