Send them to Kindergarden or Wait

[princessmom29]

What strikes me the most regarding this conversation is the insistence of what's right for "my child." He/she (usually he) will be one of the older students, one of the best performers, etc. This decision impacts all the other children who aren't held back as well. Don't we have responsibility to the broader community when making these decisions?
When your high school freshman is getting a drivers license and driving my 13-14 year old child around I start having concerns. When your 16 year old freshman is playing sports with my smaller 13-14 year old child I have concerns. When your likely more mature, developed child is competing with mine for grades and to get into college, I have serious issues.
If your child is not ready for school . . . seriously not ready then by all means hold them back. My concerns are not worth the years of problems that child is going to have and in fact are invalidated. But, if it's to give your child an "edge," to ensure that they are at the top of the class at the expense of all the other children who are entering that school year then I find it to be selfish.
Finally, to the extra year of childhood argument, the fact is that we all grow up. We all take on responsibilities and many kids can stand to take them on earlier than they already do.

I think this is part of what i was trying to get at and just couldn't quite say it in the right way. Your are absolutely right. It is not fair for a just turned 5 to have to compete aginst an about to be 7. The socially responsible thing to do is to give all kids a level playing feild. Our system does a rediness evaluation for this purpose. They track students who are "not ready" into the proper remediation and get them caught up. I think that this issue is not going to be fixed untill cutoffs are no longer a suggestion.

 

[Leajess99]

I think this is part of what i was trying to get at and just couldn't quite say it in the right way. Your are absolutely right. It is not fair for a just turned 5 to have to compete aginst an about to be 7. The socially responsible thing to do is to give all kids a level playing feild. Our system does a rediness evaluation for this purpose. They track students who are "not ready" into the proper remediation and get them caught up. I think that this issue is not going to be fixed untill cutoffs are no longer a suggestion.

Our schools offer programs for children who may be behind to help them. Take math for example, we have at least 3 different kevels of Math where the kids go to. My daughter goes to 1st grade Math and her one friend started in the lowest Math group and is already on Kindergarten math level and he is the youngest in the class. Sending a child to school on time and then holding them back is actually a better move than just holding them back because you could end up regretting that decision.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

What strikes me the most regarding this conversation is the insistence of what's right for "my child." He/she (usually he) will be one of the older students, one of the best performers, etc. This decision impacts all the other children who aren't held back as well. Don't we have responsibility to the broader community when making these decisions?
When your high school freshman is getting a drivers license and driving my 13-14 year old child around I start having concerns. When your 16 year old freshman is playing sports with my smaller 13-14 year old child I have concerns. When your likely more mature, developed child is competing with mine for grades and to get into college, I have serious issues.
If your child is not ready for school . . . seriously not ready then by all means hold them back. My concerns are not worth the years of problems that child is going to have and in fact are invalidated. But, if it's to give your child an "edge," to ensure that they are at the top of the class at the expense of all the other children who are entering that school year then I find it to be selfish.
Finally, to the extra year of childhood argument, the fact is that we all grow up. We all take on responsibilities and many kids can stand to take them on earlier than they already do.

Sorry but I disagree. It is MY CHILD and I have to decide what is best for him. And yes, sometimes the decisions parents make are not always the right one...even if I am wrong I am doing it in love. Just as I am not concerned if the child down the block is wearing the latest fashions, it is not my concern if you feel that your child is ready or more than ready to begin school. If a parent believes that their child is not ready for school (academically, socially, etc) that is their decision. If they want to give their child another year of being a child without the demands of school that is their decision too. Schools have many good purposes; however, in the yearning to see children thrive they do put requirements that for some children or families are not either realistic or wanted.
You state your concern of YOUR younger child riding with a 16 yo freshman, then don't let you child ride. May YOUR child not be the tallest or fastest...possibly, but that may also be the case without having an older student in class. Could there be students smarter and more prepared for college than YOUR child...sure, with nothing to do with that older student.
It is the possibility of the older student being bored...then again the student could be right on mark. I now have to deal with a 5 yo who will be in the right age for gr 1, but this is a repeat year for him due to moving to the US.

OH, and for the person who's child cannot skip K to go into gr 1. IMHO that school system is rediculous! I could understand testing to make sure the child was ready socially and academically, but it sounds like thy may be asking for problems.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Sorry but I disagree. It is MY CHILD and I have to decide what is best for him. And yes, sometimes the decisions parents make are not always the right one...even if I am wrong I am doing it in love. Just as I am not concerned if the child down the block is wearing the latest fashions, it is not my concern if you feel that your child is ready or more than ready to begin school. If a parent believes that their child is not ready for school (academically, socially, etc) that is their decision. If they want to give their child another year of being a child without the demands of school that is their decision too. Schools have many good purposes; however, in the yearning to see children thrive they do put requirements that for some children or families are not either realistic or wanted.
You state your concern of YOUR younger child riding with a 16 yo freshman, then don't let you child ride. May YOUR child not be the tallest or fastest...possibly, but that may also be the case without having an older student in class. Could there be students smarter and more prepared for college than YOUR child...sure, with nothing to do with that older student.
It is the possibility of the older student being bored...then again the student could be right on mark. I now have to deal with a 5 yo who will be in the right age for gr 1, but this is a repeat year for him due to moving to the US.

OH, and for the person who's child cannot skip K to go into gr 1. IMHO that school system is rediculous! I could understand testing to make sure the child was ready socially and academically, but it sounds like thy may be asking for problems.

I disagree with this because when does it stop? Heck I feel like keeping everybody home every year! I would love for them to be kids forever but unfortunately they can't be. I am not trying to be obnoxious but I think that is a poor reason to keep a kid home from school. Of course that is my opinion.

 

[hmacmahony]

No one is taking advantage of the system by trying to give their child the best start in school they can.
Have you had a child close to the cutoff?
No, well, then until you do, you really don't know how that will affect your child.
Since I happen to have 4 kids who have very late birthdays, who would of started kindergarten at 4, this is something I have actually had to deal with.
Have you talked to your principal and gotten their thoughts on this, because, I have. Have you talked to kindergarten teachers and gotten their thoughts on this, because I have. HOw about older grade teachers, because I did that too.
I honestly only ran into ONE single educator who said to put my child in at 4 (a high school teacher). Every single other educator we talked to (we talked to many) said to wait a year.
My child is not learning disabled, not behind, but at only 4 she did not posess the maturity level of most of the kids in her class.

Was some of that because she has been sheltered, probably, we happen to be fairly strict about what our kids see and hear, and do. (no hannah montana, no spounge bob, I could go on and on) I gurantee my child could of handled the work load had she gone at 4 to kindergarten. But, that was not my concern, my concern was making a positive stepping stone to school so she learned to love school. I think if we had pushed her into school at 4 that love for school would not come as fast, or as hard as she loves it now.

She was slightly socially immature, is not up on all the things kids are these days in kindergarten, and had a speech delay, she still napped, and went to bed at 7. I think jumping into a full day 5 days a week program would of pushed her over the edge.

What it comes down to is it is my child, my choice.

I fail to see where I said that you did not teach your child responsibility??? I think you are the one ASSuming that I was trying to imply that. I said that I feel it is MY responsibility. I said nothing about how you choose to parent your child. that is your business. If I follow your ASSumpions then I guess I should assume that you are saying I am not an involved parent and am ready to get rid of my kid?? I am sure you don't mean to speak ill of anyone you don't even know so I am not going to ASSume that is what you mean by your comments. I have said what i think and, I fail how it is a ridiculous assumtion that those parents who do take advantage of the system to hold a child out untill they have been 6 for months to start K would not continue to abuse the system if the cuftoffs are changed.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I disagree with this because when does it stop? Heck I feel like keeping everybody home every year! I would love for them to be kids forever but unfortunately they can't be. I am not trying to be obnoxious but I think that is a poor reason to keep a kid home from school. Of course that is my opinion.

Guess I just see things from a different perspective.
Grade 1 yes, mandatory. Never realized K was mandatory. I went to both preschool and K (private schools) because I wanted to...or so my mom says.
Agree to disagree.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I "red shirted" my DD last year. Her b-day is two weeks before the Sept. cutoff. She had been in preschool for two years and done well. The preschool teacher's biggest concern was that DD was too interested in what everyone else was doing - too chatty, too social. But being a busybody isn't related to maturity - it's a social thing and I'm pretty sure that I could hear that same teacher concern 3 years from now!

Anyways, we decided to just keep her home with us since she didn't get into the Pre-K program the school district runs. And in this past year she has just taken off! Academically, she's reading really well, almost 100% with telling time to the minute, writes her own poetry and journal entries, doing a 1st grade math workbook...I could go on and on. Her older brother and sister have now convinced her that K will be "easy peasy" and she's already told me she's just going to quit if it's too easy. All her playdates are with K students, as she does seem much older/confident than the 4yos in the neighborhood she will attend K with.

So, I went to the K parent information meeting last week. After the presentation I asked about direct entry into 1st grade and was told it was not an option. K is mandatory in our state and without that K "certificate" she's SOL. I truly feel that the current K students are her peer group and I worry that she'll look down on next year's K students in her class.

So, yes, people do have regrets. Whether I regret this for years waits to be seen.

I'm sorry for the way it turned out. I wonder if there are any options for you?

The area in which I live, it's a HUGE, HUGE trend to "red shirt" children. It's more common to have a child held back than not. The pre-school in which my children attended advocated giving the "gift of time" (holding back) to me and every parent I knew. I'm not an advocate of holding back. I taught Head Start and told them it goes against my philosophy of education. We didn't have any concerns with our children. They were typical 5 year olds. So many parents did hold their children back. Many times it was sad to me to hear of a bright, typical 5 year old being held back. I know one class (my child was in) had only 5 kids go to K out of 14!

Now all that, and still that's not to say there aren't reasons for holding a child back. I just think it's gotten out of hand, especially in my area.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Yes, but a fantastic teacher will be creative and inventive with it and she/he will work to find a way to make it better. Unfortunately not every teacher is fantastic. Nothing against teachers, not everyone is the best at any career.

Being creative and inventive doesn't always fill in the gaps when materials and access to them (or substitutes for them) are lacking or when more is expected than the children can handle.

I do agree not everyone in education is meant to be a teacher or teach in their specific grade/academic level.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

But that is the thing with your situation, you are in the Bahamas which has a different set up. Your child would probably do so much better in K here in the US. Keeping many of these kids home is doing an injustice to them because then they are more advanced age wise than the average Kindergartener and many of these kids are causing disruptions because they are bored. We see it in the schools on all grade levels because of these kids being held back for things like immaturity.

I am in a different situation for now, but next year we will be back in the US and have to make the decision of enrolling him in 2nd or 1st with his peers. If I knew then what I know now I would have enrolled him as home schooled as not to further him subject-academically and work on other aspects like fine and gross motor skills and arts. I am constantly asking a friend who has her DS in the same school/grade as DS would/will be in what they are doing (not how her DS is doing) as to try to curve DS as to not be so far ahead. DS' teacher is aware of our situation...by our request there are some things she no longer pushes because I know he will be taught is next year. Right now I tell her what they are doing and she just gasps. Also many elementary and early childhood professionals comment that the children are doing more than what some kids that age are capable of.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Being creative and inventive doesn't always fill in the gaps when materials and access to them (or substitutes for them) are lacking or when more is expected than the children can handle.

I do agree not everyone in education is meant to be a teacher or teach in their specific grade/academic level.

I agree 110% with this.

 

[AC7179]

I "red shirted" my DD last year. Her b-day is two weeks before the Sept. cutoff. She had been in preschool for two years and done well. The preschool teacher's biggest concern was that DD was too interested in what everyone else was doing - too chatty, too social. But being a busybody isn't related to maturity - it's a social thing and I'm pretty sure that I could hear that same teacher concern 3 years from now!

Anyways, we decided to just keep her home with us since she didn't get into the Pre-K program the school district runs. And in this past year she has just taken off! Academically, she's reading really well, almost 100% with telling time to the minute, writes her own poetry and journal entries, doing a 1st grade math workbook...I could go on and on. Her older brother and sister have now convinced her that K will be "easy peasy" and she's already told me she's just going to quit if it's too easy. All her playdates are with K students, as she does seem much older/confident than the 4yos in the neighborhood she will attend K with.

So, I went to the K parent information meeting last week. After the presentation I asked about direct entry into 1st grade and was told it was not an option. K is mandatory in our state and without that K "certificate" she's SOL. I truly feel that the current K students are her peer group and I worry that she'll look down on next year's K students in her class.

So, yes, people do have regrets. Whether I regret this for years waits to be seen.

I wonder if you couldn't get by this by saying you "home schooled" for K? I'm not trying to get around the system, because if she stayed home with you and knows all the stuff they did in K and is ready for 1st, that really is technically what you did? Maybe that at least would get you a readiness test?

 

[dogluva]

What strikes me the most regarding this conversation is the insistence of what's right for "my child." He/she (usually he) will be one of the older students, one of the best performers, etc. This decision impacts all the other children who aren't held back as well. Don't we have responsibility to the broader community when making these decisions?
When your high school freshman is getting a drivers license and driving my 13-14 year old child around I start having concerns. When your 16 year old freshman is playing sports with my smaller 13-14 year old child I have concerns. When your likely more mature, developed child is competing with mine for grades and to get into college, I have serious issues.
If your child is not ready for school . . . seriously not ready then by all means hold them back. My concerns are not worth the years of problems that child is going to have and in fact are invalidated. But, if it's to give your child an "edge," to ensure that they are at the top of the class at the expense of all the other children who are entering that school year then I find it to be selfish.
Finally, to the extra year of childhood argument, the fact is that we all grow up. We all take on responsibilities and many kids can stand to take them on earlier than they already do.

I agree with this and this is exactly what happened to my son. He was a 13 year old freshmen in school with 16, 17 year old ones because the parents held them back and then they stayed back or whatever. How fair was that to him. I remember him being in fourth grade with kids a year and a half older than him! These kids belonged in middle school, he was just a little boy. Because the parents wanted their precious child to be the oldest, biggest, best at sports, my son had to compete with kids way out of his league. It was very unfair considering the fact that he was age appropriate for the grades.

I have argued this point here before. Most parents don't care because it is all about their child, not mine.

 

[scouthawkk]

So, I went to the K parent information meeting last week. After the presentation I asked about direct entry into 1st grade and was told it was not an option. K is mandatory in our state and without that K "certificate" she's SOL. I truly feel that the current K students are her peer group and I worry that she'll look down on next year's K students in her class.

I am quoting this because of the mandatory part. In Maryland, it is also mandatory. If the child is age 5 by Sept. 1, they are required by law to be enrolled in K. School starts mid to late August. So, for a small few, yet, they are starting at age 4 and will turn 5 after classes start. If you feel your child isn't ready, you have to seek permission from the school district to hold them out an extra year. I don't know the hoops you have to jump through for that, but I imagine it could include a letter from the ped. indicating why they feel the child isn't ready. And I am pretty certain they also evaluate the child, too.

We had the opposite problem of holding back. Our DS missed the cut off by 11 days (born Sept. 12). His ped. told us to do whatever it took to get him enrolled the year he would turn 5. His preschool and pre-k teachers all said the same thing. Was he still a little immature? Yup! But what 4/5 year old isn't? He was ready on every other level.

We thought of putting him in private K and then just enrolling in 1st grade the following year. No go on that. Since we already lived in the county we would be enrolling in, he would have had to repeat K. What's the point of spending over $12k for private if he'd have to sit through it all again?

So, we looked into the options for public school a little more. We found out that just like trying to hold back a year, you can seek early entry if the child turns 5 by, I believe the end of Sept. or early Oct. So we filled out the paper work, and they tested him. He was one of 20 kids in our county tested for early entry to K that year. He was one of 2 that was actually granted entry (and his teacher couldn't tell the difference in his maturity level and any of the other kids in his class).

What I don't find fair is that the average scores on the tests given are 78%-85%, but to get early entry, he was required to score at least 90% in each category tested. They tested him in math, reading and spelling. There was one more section to test, but the person giving the test stopped at 3 because he scored so high in all of them. So, he had to score at least 90%, but the kids who were 5 by the cut off date didn't even have to know how to spell their name! How is that for messed up!

He was very bored for the first half of K because he had to wait for the rest of the kids to "get up to speed" as the teacher put it. Even now, in 1st grade, he is bored. The teacher is having problems keeping him challenged. I can't even imagine how bored he would be if we had kept him in pre-k again last year and k this year!

 

[dogluva]

Sorry but I disagree. It is MY CHILD and I have to decide what is best for him. And yes, sometimes the decisions parents make are not always the right one...even if I am wrong I am doing it in love. Just as I am not concerned if the child down the block is wearing the latest fashions, it is not my concern if you feel that your child is ready or more than ready to begin school. If a parent believes that their child is not ready for school (academically, socially, etc) that is their decision. If they want to give their child another year of being a child without the demands of school that is their decision too. Schools have many good purposes; however, in the yearning to see children thrive they do put requirements that for some children or families are not either realistic or wanted.
You state your concern of YOUR younger child riding with a 16 yo freshman, then don't let you child ride. May YOUR child not be the tallest or fastest...possibly, but that may also be the case without having an older student in class. Could there be students smarter and more prepared for college than YOUR child...sure, with nothing to do with that older student.
It is the possibility of the older student being bored...then again the student could be right on mark. I now have to deal with a 5 yo who will be in the right age for gr 1, but this is a repeat year for him due to moving to the US.

OH, and for the person who's child cannot skip K to go into gr 1. IMHO that school system is rediculous! I could understand testing to make sure the child was ready socially and academically, but it sounds like thy may be asking for problems.

But it is MY CHILD who has to pay the price because you decided to think only of yours. If my child is age appropriate for a grade and yours is not then that is wrong. I dont' want my 13 year old around 16 year olds. I don't want the curriculum changed to meet the bored 16 year olds because his mother wanted him to be a child a little longer. It is not fair to MY CHILD who has every right to be in a class that is geared to his age, not the ones who are kept back due to imaturity. Thier maturity will catch up at some point and exceed my child's. Really, this is very unfair.

 

[cjordan08]

my older sister started school when she was 5 and she ended up graduating school when she was only 17, and ended up very book smart.
it just depends on how your child develops and gets accustomed to new things.
either way he/she will end up fine
good luck with things!!

 

[collcass]

My oldest son has a July birthday and we are starting into the decision of whether or not to start him in Kindergarden this fall. I know that we are the only ones that can make this decision but I was wondering if anyone has ever regretted holding their child out and starting them when they were 6 when they were eligible to go when they were 5?
It is full day kindergarden and that is also one of my concerns...1/2 day wouldn't seem like so much of a change for him. He is in preschool 3 half-days a week and is smart as can be. I'm just concerned about his maturity/social skills.
Thanks for sharing!
Megan

My youngest turned 5 on MLK day. He will start Kindergarten in the fall. He seems old to me to be starting at 5 1/2. My oldest son turned 5 @ Thanksgiving the year he started K. My middle son was just barely 4 1/2 - he turned 5 on Christmas the year he started. Our oldest daughter is 11. The year she started, she had turned 5 July 4th.

We started our children because it was recommended by the Pre school teachers and the kindergarten teachers. We have never regretted it.

With a July birthday, I never would have even thought it an option since our cut off date is Dec 31, although there was one boy in my middle guys class who was 2 years older than him. They moved here during the school year from a state that summer birthdays were considered late. He actually turned 7 only a few days after mine turned 5

 

[momofmmsd5]

What strikes me the most regarding this conversation is the insistence of what's right for "my child." He/she (usually he) will be one of the older students, one of the best performers, etc. This decision impacts all the other children who aren't held back as well. Don't we have responsibility to the broader community when making these decisions?
When your high school freshman is getting a drivers license and driving my 13-14 year old child around I start having concerns. When your 16 year old freshman is playing sports with my smaller 13-14 year old child I have concerns. When your likely more mature, developed child is competing with mine for grades and to get into college, I have serious issues.
If your child is not ready for school . . . seriously not ready then by all means hold them back. My concerns are not worth the years of problems that child is going to have and in fact are invalidated. But, if it's to give your child an "edge," to ensure that they are at the top of the class at the expense of all the other children who are entering that school year then I find it to be selfish.
Finally, to the extra year of childhood argument, the fact is that we all grow up. We all take on responsibilities and many kids can stand to take them on earlier than they already do.

I'm sorry, I completely DISAGREE with this. I do not have a responsibility to anyone other than my own kid's! They are my concern and no one else's. If I were to start my son this Sept. when he only turned 5 in July and starts struggling is anyone other than his Father and I going to worry about that... NO! I don not think the OP was even thinking about holding back so her child could have an edge and I know the past three times I have done it, that was not the reason at all. I have a set of twin I held back ( September B-days and here in NJ the cut off is Oct .1) There was no way my son was ready but his twin sister probably would have been fine. I had people tell me to just send her. I held her not so she would have an edge but because of how it would have made her twin feel that she was a grade ahead of him! My older son did not have a learning or developmental issue but again he was not ready. Up until the time he was 5 no one other than myself and his older sister could understand him, and before anyone says anything I did have him evaluated and the school said nothing was wrong with him! We do not live in that town anymore. I guess after reading all of this I should have fought with the state to let my oldest start school even though she didn't make the cut off. She is a January baby and is now one of the oldest in her grade. Does that give her an edge? NO! The state said she couldn't start. I think that there are a few here that are really passing some rather harsh judgements on other. The only people who can say what is best for your child is you. That is what it boils down to...go with your own heart and the recommendation of his Dr. and then the preschool. I said it before and I still believe it...I did it and I have not regretted it once. I have though met MANY parents who wish they had done the same.
Again good luck!

 

[nicki.momof3]

No one is taking advantage of the system by trying to give their child the best start in school they can.
Have you had a child close to the cutoff?
No, well, then until you do, you really don't know how that will affect your child.
Since I happen to have 4 kids who have very late birthdays, who would of started kindergarten at 4, this is something I have actually had to deal with.
Have you talked to your principal and gotten their thoughts on this, because, I have. Have you talked to kindergarten teachers and gotten their thoughts on this, because I have. HOw about older grade teachers, because I did that too.
I honestly only ran into ONE single educator who said to put my child in at 4 (a high school teacher). Every single other educator we talked to (we talked to many) said to wait a year.
My child is not learning disabled, not behind, but at only 4 she did not posess the maturity level of most of the kids in her class.

Was some of that because she has been sheltered, probably, we happen to be fairly strict about what our kids see and hear, and do. (no hannah montana, no spounge bob, I could go on and on) I gurantee my child could of handled the work load had she gone at 4 to kindergarten. But, that was not my concern, my concern was making a positive stepping stone to school so she learned to love school. I think if we had pushed her into school at 4 that love for school would not come as fast, or as hard as she loves it now.

She was slightly socially immature, is not up on all the things kids are these days in kindergarten, and had a speech delay, she still napped, and went to bed at 7. I think jumping into a full day 5 days a week program would of pushed her over the edge.

What it comes down to is it is my child, my choice.

I 100% disagree with almost everything you said. Yes it is your CHOICE but where is the line drawn between your choice and socially irresponsible. If you choose to hold your child until they are 7, how about 8 - is that a matter of CHOICE? I have 3 children (one in first and one in K - both boys). My oldest has a May b-day and started at 5 as he is supposed to. My middle one has a Nov. b-day and started at 4.

Both are doing great!!!!!!! My daughter will start at age 5 when the time comes.

All of my kids go to bed at 7pm and all had to be weaned off a nap before kindergarten (not a hard task). If you teach your child responsibility and proper behavior than they will be ready for school at age 5 - this maturity arguement is crazy. Of course there are the rare exception but they are exactly that rare.

Not sure where you live but we live in a highly academiclly demanding district and they still recommend my kids start school on time.

Children belong in school at the right age and as parents it is our job to ensure they get there. If a parent holds there child without professional recommendations they are only hurting their child socially - no wonder they are immature and one more year may not help that.

I know many will disagre but it is my opinion and it is also the social norm to send your child to school at age 5.

 

[Leajess99]

I am in a different situation for now, but next year we will be back in the US and have to make the decision of enrolling him in 2nd or 1st with his peers. If I knew then what I know now I would have enrolled him as home schooled as not to further him subject-academically and work on other aspects like fine and gross motor skills and arts. I am constantly asking a friend who has her DS in the same school/grade as DS would/will be in what they are doing (not how her DS is doing) as to try to curve DS as to not be so far ahead. DS' teacher is aware of our situation...by our request there are some things she no longer pushes because I know he will be taught is next year. Right now I tell her what they are doing and she just gasps. Also many elementary and early childhood professionals comment that the children are doing more than what some kids that age are capable of.

I would seriously put him in 1st grade if it were me. There are many free worksheet sites that are probably more appropriate for him than what they are expecting at the the school he is in. I'm sorry his school is so hard on them at such a young age.

 

[Becky2005]

I haven't read the entire thread but you also might want to see what the trend is in your school system.

Around here, holding back is not the usual thing. Our cut-off is Sept. 1.

My 8 year old is in 3rd grade. They looked at me like I was insane when I mentioned if he was ready for Kindergarten at his annual review (he gets speech & OT) -- they just were umm...we have kids who have August birthdays that go. He is one of the younger ones but he's doing just fine. There are younger kids in his grade.

And only once have we dealt with someone held back and that was when my DD was in Kindergarten, my personal opinion is the girl should have gone the year before. She was not a good fit socially for the girls in the classroom. I'm sure it was just her personality but she teased several of the other girls in class because they were "too babyish". She turned 6 before the Sept. 1 cut-off (I only know this because she had the birthday crown on the 2nd day of school with "6" on it and school started before Sept. 1).