A Kid Ahead of His Time in USA

[JJB]

In my own experience with my children, we had the option to get them ahead on their work so they would slot in a couple of grades higher when we came home, while they still were ahead when we got home, they still slotted in with their own age group.
We chose to broaden their education at their age/stage level, often in local geography, or taking photo's of local wildlife, identifying it etc, or in the case of maths and science, or having them demonstrate a practical application of what they have just learnt.
If I was in your situation, I would be doing something similar, to broaden his experiences rather than looking to the next grade for more course work.

One of the things I had my boys do, they had to spend a day in a local school at any port we are visiting (most schools seem to be quite willing), meeting some of the local kids, getting to find out more about their culture, and having my kids do a write up on the locals, their customs etc, often this can take them a week or more to finish.

One other thing my boys are fascinated with, celestial navigation, when they get the chance they love giving it a go, they don't always get it right but they get a little better each time, they don't mind sitting down for a good while they crunch all the numbers, they can actually see a great application for their Maths.

[Jane.Joy]

I was a cruising kid from 11 to 13 and from Hong Kong to Santa Barbara (the long way, of course). What can I say? It was formative. My humble opinion: Take your son out of school - ask him to keep a journal (or a blog, I guess) and read everything that comes his way. (Back in the late '70s, we traded books by the foot.) I also had an algebra book that I would dive into every once in a while, and of course learned about new cultures, how to be self-sufficient, responsible, etc. (Of COURSE your 11 yr. old should be standing watch....) As for becoming a social deviant.... I graduated from the Naval Academy, quit the Navy after 8 years and went to grad. school, quit grad. school and became a teacher and then a principal in an urban school district, quit that and went back to grad. school, and now I'm getting ready to quit again. Hubby and I are selling our stuff, buying a boat, and becoming full-time world wanderers, starting this November. Definitely a social deviant, but I've decided to embrace my deviance. Hard to live an ordinary life after The Boat Trip. Your son will be a different person after a couple of years of Boat Tripping, and you and he together will be able to figure out what best to do about the rest of his schooling.

[TaoJones]

If someone already offered this option and I missed it, I apologize: Take him cruising for a couple of years and home-school while you cruise. This will maintain his interest in academics as he's becoming a knowledgeable world-traveler.

If you follow this regime until he's post-puberty, when you return he can rejoin his friends in high school, perhaps at an even more advanced level by that time. It will take awhile for his body to catch up with his brain, so he'll be smaller than his classmates, probably, right through high school.

But I can easily imagine that his cruising experience, particularly if he encounters other cultures with other languages, will equip him to handle social situations with aplomb. His stature should not be a limiting factor, except athletically, perhaps, but there are sports where competitors are matched against those who are of the same size (wrestling, for example), so if he wants to compete in athletics he doesn't need to subject himself to serious injury by gong out for the football team.

Repeating a grade is probably the worst possible option. He will become bored quickly and may seek other avenues for stimulation that you could come to regret. I'll bet that if you make him an active participant in the discussion, he'll help you make the best choice.

TaoJones

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by ConradG

We had a cruising kid family move to town when my boys were young. Wow, what kids! None of the regular problems that normal kids have about peer groups and age divission. They mixed with everyone, adults included and seemed to fit in with a respect for their ability to. Great examples.

In your case the 'schooling' aboard only needs to keep familiararity with the subjects and process as the material required has been done. But that doesn't mean that there aren't plenty of educational opportunities. If your boy is into tech engineering, what a thing to be able to follow an interest, all be it with some discipline from above (my oldest son started teaching himself programing about that age). And think what he will learn from cruising. What he can be exposed to culturally. What he could see of the real world. But one thing has to be there and that's his desire to do it. I'm not nescessarily saying it is up to him but rather up to you to cultivate that desire if it's what you think is right for him. If that's possible I'd say damn, go for it. Don't miss a perfect opportunity for him! A year (or two?) and he's back, and in his age group where he belongs...without repeating a year (very demoralizing-been there/done that myself because I was 'young') but gaining a year of increadible experience and growth. Get him on board and go for it!

That has been my experience also, every single cruising kid I've ever met has been very mature and posses the ability to interface with anyone. They are very adaptable in life, and isn't that what it is all about?

[Gemini Dreams]

If your child is going to succeed they will succeed.
If they are going to fail they will fail.
If they get board they will succeed at failure.


I can't believe someone actually said stay in school as long as you can as there is no benefit in graduating early.

W

[TeddyDiver]

Just a though but what does he (the kid) think?

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by TeddyDiver

Just a though but what does he (the kid) think?

Was about to ask that when I got through reading the thread. You beat me to it .

The OP posted nearly two years ago, so hopefully he would have had some time on the water with his son by now.

I have to second everyone's opinions about cruising kids. The have been the most confident, happy, well socialised kids I have ever come across. If Bill's son has spent the last year on the water I hope he had a ball!

[ElGatoGordo]

Well...this thread was dead for over a year so I'm sure the OP and his son have solved this issue ;-)

But for future readers who may search up this forum, if you're interested in cruising with kids and home schooling...please do real research. I'm the father of 16yo triplets who have never seen a classroom. They will be starting college classes this coming spring.

Interesting facts that can sway a decision: All colleges and universities recognize homeschooling, and many of the top universities actively recruit homeschooled kids. Statistics clearly indicate home schooled kids are just as likely, or more so, to succeed in adult life. Etc. Etc.....

BUT!!!!!!! If you think home schooling...REAL homeschooling...is easy...leave the poor buggers in public school!!!!! This is HARD work for everyone involved.

Side note...there ARE bad examples of home school parents (it's not the kids fault)...I see them all the time. But does anyone want to say there are no examples of bad public schools? No need to be for or against…just informed.

[Kenomac]

Another option: I work at a boarding school here in Massachusetts called Andover Phillips Academy. Gifted students or kids who find themselves academically ahead of others their own age come here to a place where they can integrate with kids who are academically at their same level and at the same time mix with peers their own age.

Contrary to what others have written, I entered the University at age 16 and didn't feel stigmatized or that I missed out on anything. I just adapted to the environment not knowing any difference. Your kid will do fine. The only option which won't work, is to have him repeat a year and get bored.

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Another option: I work at a boarding school here in Massachusetts called Andover Phillips Academy. Gifted students or kids who find themselves academically ahead of others their own age come here to a place where they can integrate with kids who are academically at their same level and at the same time mix with peers their own age.

Contrary to what others have written, I entered the University at age 16 and didn't feel stigmatized or that I missed out on anything. I just adapted to the environment not knowing any difference. Your kid will do fine. The only option which won't work, is to have him repeat a year and get bored.

This depends on the individual child. Some have the academic skills, but are lacking in maturity. Hopefully the parents know the difference. The schools go by standardized measures, so it really is up to the parents to make the call.

[Teknav]

A kid acing tests in school is no guarantee that he/she will fit in society or be successful in life. You cannot speed up maturity; it comes with years of experience. As for being a class act, most of us know a classy person when we see one.

[capn_billl]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

Another option: I work at a boarding school here in Massachusetts called Andover Phillips Academy. Gifted students or kids who find themselves academically ahead of others their own age come here to a place where they can integrate with kids who are academically at their same level and at the same time mix with peers their own age.

Contrary to what others have written, I entered the University at age 16 and didn't feel stigmatized or that I missed out on anything. I just adapted to the environment not knowing any difference. Your kid will do fine. The only option which won't work, is to have him repeat a year and get bored.

I would be interested in some more info on that school.

[hellosailor]

Phillips Andover (there's another Phillips Exeter) has a long outstanding reputation.

Whether boarding school, any boarding school, is the right answer for any particular child is a whole other discussion and there should probably be some professional input on the situation.

In most urban venues there are "magnet" schools and other accelerated programs, which take the boarding issues out of the equation.

[capn_billl]

Update from OP. No the situation is still there, and I haven't found a good solution yet. I just kicked the can down the road.

He stated a preference to giving High school a shot. So that is where he is. At age 12 soon to be 13.

In junior high he was taking advanced classes some of which were located at a nearby high school so he already knew the teachers, and several students.

My concerns of him being the only one not finished with puberty so far seems unfounded. Although it hasn't entered his thinking yet, at some point he will find the disadvantages to being the youngest in his dating pool.

I already got another job, so I am back to my personal bad habit of working instead of cruising. It now looks as though it will be a couple of more years before I break the habit.

[Danosimp3]

Take him out. Kids will only become crueler in highschool. There is no character builind value to being tormented.