I wouldn't; BUT it is not my child. As a former classroom teacher, I can tell you this goes beyond academics. Just because he is reading at a great level right now, doesn't mean he is going to keep the acceleration up. There are many children in K, 1st, 2nd who are reading above grade level. He will get work to challenge his academics. Socially, you never catch up. The other kids will catch up academically. Also, they will be a group of students who have bdays just like him.
I have twins who have a later birthday (Nov) and started the next year. I am so glad - academics come quite easily and socially, they needed the extra time. They are the leaders in their class and have an easy time making friends, I am unsure what would have happened if they were younger. They also started K reading and writing, but so did a lot of other students.
Another option is an older 5s program. DD's preschool had a class made up entirely of redshirts. It was a little more focused than the regular PreK (since all the kids were PreK repeats). She was invited to that class and I felt it was a nice compromise. For once, she was youngest instead of oldest, and she was challenged without the rigors of a full-day K and the commitment of sending her early.
I think I might have misunderstood the OP. You're talking about starting your son at almost 5 right? He wouldn't be four all the way through? (I thought that's what you meant at first). Yeah, I would go for it. Like I said, my son was 4 when he started and turned five shortly thereafter and had no problems whatsoever. His teacher told me that he was actually one of the more "mature" students in the class in terms of being attentive, on task, respectful of authority, quiet when asked to be and so on. So much of it depends on personality. You know your child best.
If you are talking about "skipping" a full academic year (like putting a child who will be 4 all the way through) in kindergarten, I would not do that just because of the crazy redshirting that goes on. If your district is anything like the norm, there probably will be a bunch of 6 yo boys turning 7 in the class.
I think I might have misunderstood the OP. You're talking about starting your son at almost 5 right? He wouldn't be four all the way through? (I thought that's what you meant at first). Yeah, I would go for it. Like I said, my son was 4 when he started and turned five shortly thereafter and had no problems whatsoever. His teacher told me that he was actually one of the more "mature" students in the class in terms of being attentive, on task, respectful of authority, quiet when asked to be and so on. So much of it depends on personality. You know your child best.
If you are talking about "skipping" a full academic year (like putting a child who will be 4 all the way through) in kindergarten, I would not do that just because of the crazy redshirting that goes on. If your district is anything like the norm, there probably will be a bunch of 6 yo boys turning 7 in the class.
Yes, so if K started at the end of August, 2015, he would be 4, turning 5 in mid September, 2015.
When I went to school the cut off was in Dec. Being an October birthday I started Kinder at 4 and college at 17. Academically I did great, but struggled socially in the younger grades. That could have just been my introverted personality, though.
Now our cutoff is Sep 1. DD turned 5 in July. She's small for her age, and just generally plays young, but she is starting Kindergarten next week. Academically she is ready and I think she is ready in most other ways (she never has separation anxiety for example). I know she will be one of the youngest, especially with all the 6yos who were red shirted. Frankly they have the cut off for a reason. I've read all the studies and we just don't see how holding her back with younger, less mature children will benefit her.
ETA - The issue I have with TK is that by the time they get to Kindertarten they will be bored out of their minds.
Post by snipsnsnails on Aug 28, 2014 9:32:06 GMT -5
We're going to do K at our private school and 99% sure he'll repeat K at public school.
I was an October birthday and started early. I haaaated it. I hated being the youngest in my class. That affects my decision for V and his October birthday.
My kid just makes the cut off and we're sending her (holding back is fairly rare here). Her teacher was certain she would be fine and she's been a prek teacher for 15+ years. I think the first month or so will be the hardest. She'll make friends and pick up the content but it is just a very long day for a 4 year old. I feel like I'm going to have to put her to bed around 8:00 and she just won't get much time with her dad since he gets home around 7:30.
I am already considering the fact that she'll be young when she finishes and I may encourage her to do gap year before going to college. We'll just have to see what sort of person she is at the time.
I think I might have misunderstood the OP. You're talking about starting your son at almost 5 right? He wouldn't be four all the way through? (I thought that's what you meant at first). Yeah, I would go for it. Like I said, my son was 4 when he started and turned five shortly thereafter and had no problems whatsoever. His teacher told me that he was actually one of the more "mature" students in the class in terms of being attentive, on task, respectful of authority, quiet when asked to be and so on. So much of it depends on personality. You know your child best.
If you are talking about "skipping" a full academic year (like putting a child who will be 4 all the way through) in kindergarten, I would not do that just because of the crazy redshirting that goes on. If your district is anything like the norm, there probably will be a bunch of 6 yo boys turning 7 in the class.
Yes, so if K started at the end of August, 2015, he would be 4, turning 5 in mid September, 2015.
If you think he is ready, I would go for it. I do think kids can rise to the occasion and, in our case, I thought it would be better for DS to model his behavior on older, presumably more mature kids than younger, less mature kids, kwim?
Post by starburst604 on Aug 28, 2014 9:35:27 GMT -5
I'm another one who started college at 17 (December birthday). My mom considered having me do another year of kindergarten but the teachers assured her I was advanced enough to start first grade and indeed I could read and spell earlier than my peers. I never struggled socially either. Where I did end up struggling, and I don't think they could have foreseen this in Kindergarten, was in math. I struggled HARD all the way through high school. However, when I went to college and had to retake some of these math classes I did fine. I wonder sometimes if I had been held back a year if I might have had an easier time with it. Maybe my brain needed to develop a little more or something? I still have a bitch of a time with math in my head though.
The entire concept pf redshirting and this all being optional is so foreign to me other than on here. It's basically your year of birth - no exceptions. It's also Dec. 31st cut off. We have full day, everyday JK and SK, so there are kids who either start JK at 3 with fall birthdays or they wait, BUT go into SK, they don't get to just start JK a year later. I think no matter what there will always be up to a year gap between some kids (my nephew is January, his BFF from class is November), but from what I read on GBCN, it seems like almost increases to 2 year thanks to redshirting. I cannot imagine a 6.5 year old in kindergarten being in a class (JK and SK are mixed here) with a 3.5 year old.
Post by EmilieMadison on Aug 28, 2014 9:41:07 GMT -5
My DD had a rough time in K because she was so young. She made the cutoff by 3 weeks and we started her in K immediately after turning 5. She is incredibly bright, was reading at a 2nd grade level by age 5, etc. But at the end of the day, a just turned 5 year old is still a just turned 5 year old, and their social and emotional maturity is almost more important than their book-smarts.
I agree with your mom- I would not start a child early in K. There are a ton of good reasons to wait until the actual cutoff and very few good reasons to start early.
I'm another one who started college at 17 (December birthday). My mom considered having me do another year of kindergarten but the teachers assured her I was advanced enough to start first grade and indeed I could read and spell earlier than my peers. I never struggled socially either. Where I did end up struggling, and I don't think they could have foreseen this in Kindergarten, was in math. I struggled HARD all the way through high school. However, when I went to college and had to retake some of these math classes I did fine. I wonder sometimes if I had been held back a year if I might have had an easier time with it. Maybe my brain needed to develop a little more or something? I still have a bitch of a time with math in my head though.
LOL, me too, and I was middle of the pack as far as age. I wish I had something to fault for my math struggles.
I feel for the OP though. Red shirting has gotten out of hand. You shouldn't be *just* starting school at 6-7 barring some type of special need. it.
Comments like this are why I was considering shucking the advice of every single teacher my non special needs son worked with during preschool. Not everyone who "red shirts" does it because they're a sports crazed asshole. Some kids aren't ready socially or emotionally even though the calendar says they should be.
Again, I'm glad I listened to the certified educational professionals, instead of people trying to make me feel like we were dumb assholes for doing it.
I may feel differently when D gets ready to go to school, but right now I just wonder why we are all in such a hurry for our children to grow up.
He's my baby! A big part of me doesn't want him to grow up!!!
But he's insatiable too and I can already see that his DCP is taking him about as far as she can. We work with him a lot at home, but I can see that he really would thrive given the chance to go ahead and move up into kindergarten.
It sounds like he would be better served with an accredited preK program, instead of relying on the DCP. Preschool and/or PreK programs can make a huge difference for bright kids who are not quite ready/old enough for K.
Post by littlepeanut on Aug 28, 2014 9:47:35 GMT -5
I'm a teacher, and I can USUALLY tell who is 4 versus 5 as soon as they walk in the door. However, I agree with everyone that it absolutely depends on your kid. It's hard to keep 25 5 year old kids as engaged as they want to be, even if they are very smart. Patience and listening skills come with maturity and lots or practice. Good luck with whatever you decide!
This issue isn't so much at the K level, but when they get to late elementary and middle school. Being a full year younger than most of your peers can be really hard maturity/confidence wise.
Also it irritates the shit out of me that people think red shirting is done only because of sports. Yes people do that, but there are also a ton of people who are truly trying to figure out what is best for their child's learning.
Signed mom who will have to make this decision in 3 years.
You know your child best. I feel like the redshirting trend has gone so far these past several years that people can't imagine a child being ready earlier.
I agree with this. I was *very* nervous before DS started kindergarten but I'm sure all parents are. I think we should trust educators more. They are the professionals after all And the thing is, we tend to judge our kids' behavior by what we see of them at home where they are totally 100% comfortable (which can be a good and bad thing, lol). At home, my son can be a goofball who has problems with transitions. I was very worried that that's what he would be like at school. But he doesn't do that stuff there at all, apparently. He figured out that there were different standards for behavior and he rose to those standards. School has been really, really good for him. I have no regrets about starting him at 4, almost 5.
Comments like this are why I was considering shucking the advice of every single teacher my non special needs son worked with during preschool. Not everyone who "red shirts" does it because they're a sports crazed asshole. Some kids aren't ready socially or emotionally even though the calendar says they should be.
Again, I'm glad I listened to the certified educational professionals, instead of people trying to make me feel like we were dumb assholes for doing it.
ITA that you should hold your child back if the teachers recommend it. I'm talking about people who red shirt their spring and summer bday kids as a matter of course, not taking special needs into account, just because they don't want them to be the youngest. But logistically, someone HAS to be the youngest. And I don't believe that being the youngest always means that they're disadvantaged. What I'm saying is that if your child's teacher tells you he or she is ready, chances are that they're right. They know what they're doing. They know what they're talking about. But fwiw, if my child's teacher recommended against it, I'd do the exact same thing you did. I don't think you're a dumb asshole at all. We're all just trying to do the best thing for our children.
I've obviously been on GBCN too long - the only translation I know for TK= The K.n.o.t
What is TK?
TK is transitional Kindergarten. It's for all the kids that miss the cut off. It's offered by the school district. They go 5 days and the same amount of time
On the other hand, my brother is much smarter than I am and honestly should have skipped too, but for some reason (none of my business) didn't. By the time he got to high school he was SO BORED WITH EVERYTHING that he got in trouble often, and struggled in some of his classes.
This is one of our concerns. If you keep this kid engaged, he's straight as an arrow. If not, he can be...a handful.
What do you think you will regret if you wait, and what do you think you will regret if you send him?
Are there other activities/classes/camps/etc he could do this year that would help boost his social skills as well as keep him challenged and entertained?
I've obviously been on GBCN too long - the only translation I know for TK= The K.n.o.t
What is TK?
TK is transitional Kindergarten. It's for all the kids that miss the cut off. It's offered by the school district. They go 5 days and the same amount of time
I've never heard of this - and it may be because we don't have it around here. Regardless, I will look into it.
The problem we had was having a 17 year old college student.
I have a december birthday and placed into kindergarten early. I was a 17 year old college student and it was no big deal, except that it wasn't fun having to be the last one to turn 21 Anyway, I did just fine in school, despite being the youngest. You know your child best, so I wouldn't turn down this opportunity just because he is past the cutoff.
This is one of our concerns. If you keep this kid engaged, he's straight as an arrow. If not, he can be...a handful.
What do you think you will regret if you wait, and what do you think you will regret if you send him?
Are there other activities/classes/camps/etc he could do this year that would help boost his social skills as well as keep him challenged and entertained?
If we wait, I think we'll regret seeing him be bored and under-stimulated. If we send him, I think we could regret him struggling to adjust to the school structure, particularly if he goes to public school.
Because he's 3 (almost 4), it's been tough to find classes and programs for him that fit our schedules. Most around here for 3-4 yos cater to families with a SAHP (week day mornings and such). We're eagerly waiting until winter/spring when he'll be old enough to start t-ball or soccer. I think that will do him a world of good with further social and emotional skills.
In my district there is no cut off. They take all kids until dec 31st. My nephew will be starting at 4 and turning 5 on Christmas eve. There is no red shirting here. I had an early feb birthday and always felt way older than my classmates since most were 17 at graduation.
The year my DS started kindergarten they were in the process of changing the enrollment dates. He has a September birthday and the cut off the year we enrolled him was November (it's now August 30). My dh and I went back and forth a lot on this subject since we knew he would do fine academically our concern was socially. He went to a very good preschool and socially he did well however; I can see differences in him and some of his older classmates at times but I don't think that most other people pick up on it. Academically it's probably the best thing that we did for him. Our preschool director basically told me that she wouldn't take him back for another year since it wouldn't do him any good and I needed to find a Transitional Kindergarten or put him in Kindergarten so that he'd learn more.
We were never worried about the being 17 and starting college as both my DH & I have October birthdays and it worked out for us. However; it's amazing to us that all the kids know each others age's and it's a big deal apprently. B get's upset sometimes knowing that he's one of the younger kids in his class. This never crossed our mind when when considered it and it doesn't affect my decision now as he just stared 2nd grade and does fine both academically & socially.
I think that it really comes down to you and knowing your child and how it will affect them.
The truth of the matter is, there is no right answer. There is no way to determine if a child that excels academically and socially at age 5 and easily assimilates with her peers will have trouble at age 12 or 13. There is no way of knowing if a child that is bored and unchallenged will fall off the track and have problems at age 16. All you can do is decide if this is something you want to move forward with, have him evaluated, and trust what the school comes back with. I would be very comfortable with an formal evaluation performed by professionals at my public school district. They want the kids to excel and want them to be in the right place. I personally would not arbitrarily shop around for a school willing to accept my special snowflake a year early (not saying you are doing this, just pointing out the difference between a parent who wants to "challenge" their kid vs a child who has been deemed ready by professionals).
And really, if you decide to send him early and it proves to be the wrong decision, there are ways to fix it. BIL is an October birthday and he repeated 8th grade. He switched schools in between so there were no social implications of being left behind. He did much better and is now one of the most successful people I know. I know it's a stressful decision.
You know your child best. I feel like the redshirting trend has gone so far these past several years that people can't imagine a child being ready earlier.
I started kindergarten at 4 and didn't turn 5 until December. I never had a problem socially or academically. The cutoff dates are arbitrary so I imagine there are a fair number of kids who miss the date by days or weeks who could be ready for school.
Agreed, you know your child best. My DH and I are both November babies and started school at 4, DD is a December and also started at 4. There are always anecdotes for both sides but it worked out fine for us starting on time (by our state dates).
If you feel that your son is ready then advocate for him and cross your fingers, because that's really what parenting is all about anyways.
Disclaimer: I am kind of talking out of my ass, but regarding social maturity, can't some kids rise to the occasion?
Maybe for some kids, but not for David. He's extremely social and has always made friends easily but I'm talking more about maturity when I say social skills. He's still a little immature for his age, not to where he's not ready to start kindergarten but if he started at FOUR?? Helll no, there would be no rising to the occasion *for him*. It would have been a disaster.
This is my DS too, he does well socially in making friends and being able to handle things. However his maturity level still lacks sometimes. However at the same time I realize that even some of the older kids in his class lack maturity and starting kindergarten at 4 for us turning 5 with in the first 2.5 weeks wasn't the end of the world.