11 year old at community college

[tofuscramble]

My apologies for the cross post - I decided this would get more attention here.

 

My 11 year old son is very bright but he does not have a history of being a "genius" in academics. The thing is, he wants to go to community college to do a film studies course. He has a home schooled friend who goes but she is 14. I would really love for him to go, film is his passion, he stays up late at night writing scripts, he has been an actor, he has made many of his own movies, he makes his own costumes. It is unequivocally his "thing". Its what he loves.

 

The college have said he can take the course and DH who went into the workplace at 14 and hasn't looked back, is all for it but I'm not sure for the one obvious reason which is his very young age.

 

Anyone BTDT or just have any advice or thoughts on this?

[catalinakel]

My apologies for the cross post - I decided this would get more attention here.

 

My 11 year old son is very bright but he does not have a history of being a "genius" in academics. The thing is, he wants to go to community college to do a film studies course. He has a home schooled friend who goes but she is 14. I would really love for him to go, film is his passion, he stays up late at night writing scripts, he has been an actor, he has made many of his own movies, he makes his own costumes. It is unequivocally his "thing". Its what he loves.

 

The college have said he can take the course and DH who went into the workplace at 14 and hasn't looked back, is all for it but I'm not sure for the one obvious reason which is his very young age.

 

Anyone BTDT or just have any advice or thoughts on this?

 

I say if you have a good relationship and you are able to oversee things a bit, why not?

[Jean in Newcastle]

For one course where you will be taking him and then picking him up afterward? No problem. But I would want to look at the syllabus to make sure that they were not watching or discussing PG-13 or R rated films that you might not expose him to otherwise. If those types of films are not a problem for your family, then of course, that would not be an issue.

[Starr]

The other problem with college classes is group work. If they have a group project you will have to sort out time and place and who he's in a group with. My dd watched movies in her Spanish class that she would not have watched at home at 14.

[MorganClassicalPrep]

Is it just one course?

 

I would speak to the professor. You should be able to find an email address/phone number. Find out what the course involves. What type of assignments will there be. Find out what types of film they will be studying. Are there any movies with extreme sexual overtones, graphic violence, or other things which you may be opposed to? In one of my literature courses last year we watched some movies that were pretty sexually graphic, and I was quite shocked that we were being shown these in school! I would be upset if my 11 year old watched these movies. BIG difference between 11 and 18!

 

After speaking to the professor, if I felt okay with the content of the course, I'd probably allow it. I'd be picking my 11 year old up directly after class, and dropping him off right before to avoid too much exposure into the "college" life, because there can be some unsavory situations (think couples making out, smoking cigarettes- and I've known some 18 year olds who think it is funny to get a child to smoke, cussing, talking about parties and such..) Nothing overly crazy, but also something I don't necessarily want my 11 year old exposed to.

 

I have a 4.5 year old who I try to avoid bringing to campus. Then again I'm on a state university now, with a much different atmosphere then when I was at a community college, but even back at CC I often had to steer away from the groups of people cussing and talking about gross things when I had her with me. But if she had a "passion" that I couldn't get her involved with at home, I would do everything I could to find an outlet for that, so I applaude you for trying to work this out!!

 

Sort of a long post... but just wanted to give you my experience as a current college student AND a mother. :D

[OrganicAnn]

Does the class require any papers? Would you son be able to write a community college level paper? You might also check the amount of reading. Does he know how to take notes in class? I would try to find out about the syllabus.

 

Do they offer this course every year? You could always wait a year. I would worry a little that if it was too hard for him, it will discourage him.

 

I think it is great when a kid has a passion. You should definitely encourage it in anyway you can.

[Hannah C.]

I've never been to CC, but I did go to public HS and then to a 4 year college. I had many HS friends who went to CC.

 

The idea of an 11 yo in a CC class is worrisome to me. It is easily possible that the film studies class may delve into content not appropriate for an 11yo. Perhaps more importantly, the other students will not be 11. They may be homeschooled high schoolers, or older. From my experience with socialization as a teen and young adult, general conversation is not something an 11yo can really relate to, even when appropriate. And there are plenty of times when teens/young adults have convos that are not appropriate for 11yos. So I would be very worried about the social aspect. Group work, which is often required at some point in college courses, would also be more difficult. There is also the possibility of the child being labeled in a negative way by the older students - which would be wrong of them, yes, but could easily happen. I also think older students would be unlikely to consider an 11yo capable of the group work.

 

So I would be very, very cautious about sending an 11yo to a CC class. I would talk to the professor, find out the content, try and find out what the usual class demographics are. My guess is that I would end up waiting a couple of years and then letting my child go to the class. A 14yo will be much better equipped for the possible situations of CC than an 11yo, and will be closer to the age of most of the students. It may be only 3 years' difference but I do think that age gap can really make a difference sometimes.

 

This isn't BTDT..more like my gut feelings based on my own experience and having younger siblings. Feel free to ignore this post completely if you wish. :D

[Tap]

I've never been to CC, but I did go to public HS and then to a 4 year college. I had many HS friends who went to CC.

 

The idea of an 11 yo in a CC class is worrisome to me. It is easily possible that the film studies class may delve into content not appropriate for an 11yo. Perhaps more importantly, the other students will not be 11. They may be homeschooled high schoolers, or older. From my experience with socialization as a teen and young adult, general conversation is not something an 11yo can really relate to, even when appropriate. And there are plenty of times when teens/young adults have convos that are not appropriate for 11yos. So I would be very worried about the social aspect. Group work, which is often required at some point in college courses, would also be more difficult. There is also the possibility of the child being labeled in a negative way by the older students - which would be wrong of them, yes, but could easily happen. I also think older students would be unlikely to consider an 11yo capable of the group work.

 

So I would be very, very cautious about sending an 11yo to a CC class. I would talk to the professor, find out the content, try and find out what the usual class demographics are. My guess is that I would end up waiting a couple of years and then letting my child go to the class. A 14yo will be much better equipped for the possible situations of CC than an 11yo, and will be closer to the age of most of the students. It may be only 3 years' difference but I do think that age gap can really make a difference sometimes.

 

This isn't BTDT..more like my gut feelings based on my own experience and having younger siblings. Feel free to ignore this post completely if you wish. :D

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree: I absolutely agree.

 

 

Look for film schools designed for middle or highschool kids. There are several in our area, Portland Oregon, maybe there are in yours too. Or possibly even a private tutor.

 

Unfortunately, some colleges are known for accepting any student willing to pay tuition, whether it is an appropriate place for them or not. Remember that any work he does there will affect his college transcript forever. If he does take the class you may want to consider having him audit the class instead of taking it as a registered student.

[KJB]

My apologies for the cross post - I decided this would get more attention here.

 

My 11 year old son is very bright but he does not have a history of being a "genius" in academics. The thing is, he wants to go to community college to do a film studies course. He has a home schooled friend who goes but she is 14. I would really love for him to go, film is his passion, he stays up late at night writing scripts, he has been an actor, he has made many of his own movies, he makes his own costumes. It is unequivocally his "thing". Its what he loves.

 

The college have said he can take the course and DH who went into the workplace at 14 and hasn't looked back, is all for it but I'm not sure for the one obvious reason which is his very young age.

 

Anyone BTDT or just have any advice or thoughts on this?

 

For an alternative, check out the University of Nebraska's online award winning flim course. It is offered through their online/distance high school. There is no minimum age to enroll in the high school and you can take one course without any problem.

 

http://trusted.unl.edu/purchase/p-473-arth019-introduction-to-film-studies.aspx

[bettyandbob]

My big concern would be the content. If this were a math or chemistry class, I'd say go for it. But once you get into social sciences and literature you have to make a good analysis of the maturity of the child and the content of the class.

Some people allow 11 year olds to view and read material with high emotional content, graphic sex, graphic violence. And some people don't. I wouldn't ask or expect the college to change the type of material studied simply because an 11 yo is in the class. You also need to consider class discussions and the type of material that might me discussed in an open forum. (This point makes me think that as a professor I would not want an 11 yo simply because his presence might discourage the other students from freely discussing certain topics) So, you have to decide what your particular 11 yo can handle.

 

If you decide to go with it, I hope it goes well. It could be a very enriching experience.

[TxMama]

The idea of an 11 yo in a CC class is worrisome to me. It is easily possible that the film studies class may delve into content not appropriate for an 11yo. Perhaps more importantly, the other students will not be 11. They may be homeschooled high schoolers, or older. From my experience with socialization as a teen and young adult, general conversation is not something an 11yo can really relate to, even when appropriate. And there are plenty of times when teens/young adults have convos that are not appropriate for 11yos. So I would be very worried about the social aspect. Group work, which is often required at some point in college courses, would also be more difficult. There is also the possibility of the child being labeled in a negative way by the older students - which would be wrong of them, yes, but could easily happen. I also think older students would be unlikely to consider an 11yo capable of the group work.

 

So I would be very, very cautious about sending an 11yo to a CC class. I would talk to the professor, find out the content, try and find out what the usual class demographics are. My guess is that I would end up waiting a couple of years and then letting my child go to the class. A 14yo will be much better equipped for the possible situations of CC than an 11yo, and will be closer to the age of most of the students. It may be only 3 years' difference but I do think that age gap can really make a difference sometimes.

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

 

I totally agree with all of this!

 

I also wouldn't send a 14 yo to CC for pretty much the same reason.

 

My college age DD has a pretty negative opinion about dual credit students.....even the homeschooled ones especially if they are younger than 17. She made the mistake of taking a class that had many dual credit students and she states they were distracting and the class was significantly dumbed down so they could all pass.

 

I would find another way for him to gain experience.

[Ester Maria]

The idea of an 11 yo in a CC class is worrisome to me. It is easily possible that the film studies class may delve into content not appropriate for an 11yo. Perhaps more importantly, the other students will not be 11. They may be homeschooled high schoolers, or older. From my experience with socialization as a teen and young adult, general conversation is not something an 11yo can really relate to, even when appropriate. And there are plenty of times when teens/young adults have convos that are not appropriate for 11yos. So I would be very worried about the social aspect. Group work, which is often required at some point in college courses, would also be more difficult. There is also the possibility of the child being labeled in a negative way by the older students - which would be wrong of them, yes, but could easily happen. I also think older students would be unlikely to consider an 11yo capable of the group work.

 

So I would be very, very cautious about sending an 11yo to a CC class.

Agreed, and I also agree with Betty - the CONTENT makes a difference, it's not the same if we're talking about some science or mathematics and if we're talking about literature, film and other potentially problematic areas that assume not only intellectual readiness and the ability to cognitively understand the material (many advanced and gifted children do have that, no problem), but also a certain type of, in lack of better expression, "emotional" readiness and maturity.

 

I'm not sure whether the atmosphere of adults or almost-adults would suit an 11 y.o. in the sphere of arts and humanities, since those heavily rely on group discussions and insights, i.e. on a specific type of group dynamics which is not as obvious when you deal with dry numbers or moleculae. And that group dynamics might be very unnatural, even uncomfortable, for an 11 y.o. who might end up everything, from intimated to impressed (a VERY impressionable age!) to have a normal, great experience. It's quite risky and I'm honestly not sure I'd be willing to do it. Not that it cannot turn out great - it CAN - but there are quite a few risks involved.

[Julie in CA]

...but in a nutshell, I wouldn't do it. I've successfully transitioned 3 of my 5 dc into taking their classes at the community college, but I would definitely not have done it at age 11 regardless of how strong an interest my dc had. The classes are taught at an adult level (as they should be), and even if the content itself isn't inappropriate, the class would likely be better and more enriching taken a bit closer to it's intended target age range. For now, I'd be teaching my 11yo about how to pursue his/her passion on their own, or finding a group of like-minded peers.

[RamonaQ]

For an alternative, check out the University of Nebraska's online award winning flim course. It is offered through their online/distance high school. There is no minimum age to enroll in the high school and you can take one course without any problem.

 

http://trusted.unl.edu/purchase/p-473-arth019-introduction-to-film-studies.aspx

 

This was ABSOLUTELY going to be my suggestion. Look for online classes, camps, and enrichment classes for middle school/ high school. Also, I think outside classes are a great way to build potential friendships based on like-interests.

[fhjmom]

My DH just finished his Film Apprecciation class on-line through our local community college and I absolutely would not have wanted any of my children taking that class pre-college-aged. There were films assigned that, as an adult, *I* didn't want to watch. The level of analysis and writing that was expected would have been quite a challenge for someone writing below at least an upper-high school level.

 

I think you it would be better for him, the professor, and the other students in the class for you to find other alternatives geared more towards his age to encourgae his interest.

 

One option, I am keeping DH's textbook and may cover it on our own with DS in a few years. DS really enjoyed the idea of analyzing and discussing movies with Dad and he did watch a few of the more appropriate ones with us. If I use the text but choose our own films (and there are lists of suggested films that include ones more appropriate for younger students) I can control the content of the class.

[tofuscramble]

Thank you so much to everyone! You gave dh and I some things to think about that we hadn't considered. :)

 

It is just one class, 3 units. He does have appropriate note taking skills but not very good handwriting. I like the suggestions for the other classes but in our area he has taken everything there is to offer that we can afford.

 

There is a fantastic film making course at the local university for his age that he hasn't taken but its $1200! The community college offers courses for $26 a unit.

 

DH and I are thinking about letting him take a loosely related distance course with them first and if he does well with that, then we can talk about him taking the film course. The University of Nebraska film course sounds wonderful, we are going to look more into that too.

 

Thanks again, everyone! :001_smile:

[naturegirl7]

It is a film-making class or a film appreciation class? It they are going to be sitting around watching movies and discussing them - I probably would skip it until he was older - simply cuz alot of the movies will be controversial and I would like to be the one to expose him and discuss some of that stuff initially, plus he would get more out of it if he was older/more mature.

 

But if it is actually film making, where they are actively learning techniques like lighting, camera angles, editting, etc - then I would totally consider it for my kiddo. Ask for the name and some contact info for the teacher and talk directly to them - find out what is covered and how it is covered. If you think your DC can keep up and will be enriched - then go for it!

 

Yes he is young, but you have instilled your values into him and that won't change just cuz he is at the CC a few hours a week learning. You will be dropping him off and picking him up - so it isnt like he will be socializing outside of class. And while a lot of college aged kids are goof-offs, there are alot of great kids there too! They won't all be sitting around trying to get him to smoke or engage in grown up behavior either. You'll find more party attitude at universities, than at CC - atleast from my own personal experience. Most CC kids live at home or on their own, hold down a job, AND go to school - granted they can be kinda quirky sometimes, but they generally seems to have more "real life" experience and responsibiliy than U students.

[Teachin'Mine]

Can you get him involved in community theatre? There he'd be able to utilize and expand on his various skills as well as learn a lot more. I'd be inclined to think that the college course will not be limited to G and PG movies, so for me, it would be no. IMO he'd be able to do that class in the future, and I'd look for other more age appropriate ways for him to go more in depth into his areas of interest. But honestly, you know your son best. Is he a young 11 or an almost 14 yo looking 11? Will he be hurt if students in the class aren't thrilled with him being there? I don't know - they may be very supportive and treat him like a little brother, or they may feel differently. Talking with the professor will probably give you more insight into that situation. The school probably already spoke with him or her to get permission for your son to join the class. Can you talk with anyone who has taken the class before? Just some things to think about.