A 1994 study at Johns Hopkins indicates that acceleration of juveniles provides benefits at least 95 percent of the time. Skipping a grade often occurs in younger grades, when a child's abilities show he is ready to move ahead. Third grade operates as a transition year, when children quit learning to read and begin reading to learn. Reading ability is not the only criteria for acceleration to third grade; the child also should demonstrate advanced language arts skills. Several steps can help a child accelerate to the third grade.

Instructions
●Look for social readiness when compared to second-grade peers. Typical third-grade emotional skills include an ability to accept some responsibility for behaviors, an ability to set goals and an ability to work with others.

●Assess cognitive development and ability. She may not need any external motivation to succeed, although it may encourage her to excel. If she complains the work is too easy, is bored at school or refuses to do homework, she may need to skip to third grade.

●Give your child third-grade work before actually accelerating him to that grade. This will help both of you see how well he does. He should be able to work at this level with minimal difficulty. Testing can help assess his grade level.

●Ask the child if she wants to advance and talk to her about moving up to third grade. Look at her commitment to learning and her ability to complete work.

●Place the child with a teacher who will receive him warmly. He will face an adjustment period, especially if the transition to third grade occurs during the middle of the school year. The new teacher can help both of you during this time.

●Try a trial period of six weeks, including counseling services. Encourage the child regarding her own strengths, no matter the outcome of the trial period.

Tips & Warnings
●The child should be in overall good physical health.

●Consider physical size. If the child is small for his age, accelerating him to the third grade might not be a good idea. If other emotional pressures exist, such as the birth of a new sibling, a divorce or long-term illness or death of a close family member, wait to accelerate the child as the adjustment might overwhelm the student.