Waiting to start kindergarten?

[janette]

Both my girls are older for their grades. The cut-off is Sept 1st and one has a Sept birthday and the other is a June birthday. Althought my oldest would probably do okay in a older class she didn't make the cutoff and has always been one of the top students. My younger DD has a reading disability, we were lucky enough to determine this when she was still pre-school age and she didn't go to public school until mid 1st grade. She transferred in as Special Ed, they said we could have her in the grade where she was age wise but we opted to keep her in the lower grade. The gap in her reading level would just be more if she was in the older group and I know it has been the right decision.

One of my sister's has 2 boys with a summer birthday, she started both according to the cut-off. The older one ended up repeating 3rd grade and always struggled, the younger one is in 2nd right now and doing really well in school.

I think if there are no other factors it's best to use the state guidelines, if a child has trouble in kindergarten there sometimes options other than going to 1st grade. Our public school has a pre-1st grade that is for kids that need an extra year between kindergarten & 1st grade. Sometimes the only way to really know what is best is to let the child try. I'm not one that agrees with the idea that repeating a grade is going to scar a child for life. I do think though that the earlier the decision is made to repeat it is better. If they struggle with kindergarten find answers then, don't wait and don't push them into 1st grade until they are ready.

In our situation with youngest DD if we had waited to send her to pre-school we wouldn't have found her LD until much later, public school often don't even test until 2nd grade. Anytime there are learning problems time is essential, the earlier the better in those situations.

 

[Alice28]

Pinnie- cool program!

I think *usually* it's wiser to wait until the next year if they are near that cut-off date. My experience with school age kids (8 years) is that the older ones have a bit more self-confidence and self-control. It's not always true!

My school district's cut off is 9/1 and my son's birthday is the end of November. I am so glad the cutoff was 9/1 and not 12/1 cause I would have struggled with whether or not to enroll him. I probably would not have though as he was VERY energetic and just didn't have the attention span or the interest for academic things at that age. He is now half-way through kindergarten and is a pretty fast learner. He was one of the first who was ready to bring home the reader books, does very well socially in class, and his teacher praised his direction-following ability and hasn't been in trouble once. I think for him it was a very good choice to wait until he was closer to 6.

 

[NoodlesTheRabbit]

I am a kindergarten teacher in a district with a full day program. In my opinion, if in doubt, wait. Our cutoff date is Sept. 30th. I have children who were 4 coming in, and children who were 6 coming in. No matter how advanced those younger children were, they are still less mature. It's difficult to explain exactly in what way they were not "ready," it was something I could sense when we did our registration screenings. In my mind, it has very little to do with academics. The child must be ready socially and emotionally.

I had a child a few years ago who did wonderfully in KG although she turned 5 Sept. 26th. However, it is catching up to her now in 3rd grade, as she is having a hard time being organized and understanding some of the work. She is also still into Barbie, etc. while the older children are into "more mature" things. Her young age did catch up to her though it wasn't apparent in KG.

In our KG, my children ARE expected to know all the letters of the alphabet, print his/her name, identify colors and numbers, etc. We are teaching them vowel sounds and how to read! I agree 100% with the poster who mentioned No Child Left Behind as a partial cause of this "push-down" curriculum. It is unfortunate, but I believe that usually it is better to give the child extra time.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Selena will be 4 for two months in kindergarten. She won't turn 5 until Oct. 27. In her case, I believe she is ready emotionally, socially, and acedemically. If something happens between now and then to prove otherwise, I will wait to start her, but I really don't see that happening. I think it really depends on the child.

 

[Princess Dot]

Hi Kristy, Too funny, my friend's son's bday is also Oct 27th! I haven't had a chance to speak to her since receiving all these great posts, but I know she will be glad to hear all the wonderful thoughts and experiences that you've all shared!

 

[cruisnfamily]

Why couldn't she send him and if he has trouble, just have him repeat K? Two years of kindergarten sounds better than another year of preschool....and besides, he might surprise everybody and do well.

 

[4greatboys]

Originally posted by DD2Disney
You guys started me thinking, so I decided to look into our local cut off date (DS is only 2 1/2) well he misses the cutoff by ONE day I can't believe it. I don't think I want him to be a 6 year old in kindergarten! Apparently this just went into effect last month, it used to be a Dec 1st deadline now Sept 1st.

I guess I have to start thinking about things like this. Bummer thing is like Freshtressa's baby he was born late (8 days) he would have made it in time

Tricia

My oldest missed the cut off by 1 hour and 23 minutes, lol. His b-day is Sept 2 (of course born at 1:23am). It has really worked out for the best that he start school a year later. Well he was in preschool for 2 years then K when he was 6.
My second ds has a May birthday. I thought he should be held back and start like my oldest did. His K teacher assured me he was ready for 1st but after he got in there it was obvious he wasnt ready. I really think that extra year would have benefitted him so much. He has had a hard time through school--not to say its all about the age but when you get off to a rocky start its very hard to get caught up.
Now my third ds will be 4 Feb 28 so Im looking to put him in preschool for a couple of years 4 & 5 and then put him in K when he is 6. One factor here is our school just started all day K--which I think it to long for the little ones.
My fourth ds has an April b-day so we will probably do the same thing for him.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Both of my kids are in high school now and a bit on the older side for their grades. We had a WONDERFUL pre-school director who urged all of the parents to "Give your children the GIFT of extra time."

I have never regretted it.

 

[Princess Dot]

crusinfamily, thats an idea, I guess she is concerned that he would be too frustrated in kg if the work and the social aspects are too demanding for him. As mentioned earlier, you would not want to have a child's first "real" school experience to be a negative one.

I just feel bad sometimes because he talks so longingly of the day when he can ride the "big boy bus" with the rest of the kids, etc. That does not mean that he is really ready for school. I am just glad to hear that others have had positive experiences with keeping their children back. Maybe she can look into something other than another year at the same preschool. I know that school offers an afterschool enrichment program that focus strictly on writing and numbers, more like what is done now in kindergarten.

LOL about kindergarten today not being what it was. I remember lots of play time, show and tell, singing, and maybe some letter work. The big thing I remember learning was my left hand from my right. Meanwhile, my kids were completing letter "journals" and some simple math work in KG! How things have changed.

 

[BrerMom]

OK, I wasn't able to find the kindergarten benchmarks for my kids' district, but I did find ones for kindergartens in Michigan. I had thought I would cut and paste, but it's way too long, so I just included some of the benchmarks for technology, Language Arts, and Math. The links are included in case you want the original documents.

From http://scnc.dundee.k12.mi.us/general/techplanfinal.htm
TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM KINDERGARTEN STUDENT TECHNOLOGY BENCHMARKS
The student will use computers and the related technology tools effectively.
· Identify technology tools: Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse
· Learn to use a keyboard and a mouse for input and for software control (fine motor skill development)
· Become familiar with computer output in the form of the monitor, audio speakers, and headphones
· Introduced to special keys: enter key, backspace key, down arrow key
· Become familiar with sequencing steps: logging in, accessing program, closing program, logging out
The student will become familiar with technology vocabulary.
· Clicking the mouse, blinking cursor, tool bar
· Logging into the computer network and logging out
The student will demonstrate ethical behavior in the use of computer technology.
· Demonstrate the correct use of the computer (i.e. pressing keys gently, no eating/drinking)
· Demonstrate appropriate conduct during computer work periods (listening skills, an awareness of quiet work time, consideration and respect for other students/adults, concentration on a given task, work independently)
The student will create and solve problems through application software (i.e. Kid Pix).
· Use paint tools to create computer graphics (i.e. drawing tools: pencil, brush, shapes, fill)
The student will use appropriate grade level software programs.


From http://www.resa.net/health/kgrade.pdf

(Language Arts)
Content Standard 1: All students will read and comprehend general and technical material.
Benchmark 1: Use reading for multiple purposes, such as enjoyment, gathering information, and learning new procedures.
Benchmark 2: Read with developing fluency a variety of texts, such as stories, poems, messages, menus, and directions.
Benchmark 3: Employ multiple strategies to construct meaning, including word recognition skills, context clues, retelling, predicting, and generating questions.
Benchmark 4: Employ multiple strategies to decode words as they construct meaning, including the use of phonemic awareness, letter-sound associations, picture cues, context clues, and other word recognition aids.
Benchmark 5: Respond to the ideas and feelings generated by oral, visual, written, and electronic texts, and share with peers.




(Math)
Content Standard 1: Students recognize similarities and generalize patterns, use patterns
to create models and make predictions, describe the nature of patterns and relationships,
and construct representations of mathematical relationships. (Patterns)
Benchmark 1: Recognize, describe and extend numerical and geometric patterns.
Benchmark 2: Represent and record patterns and relationships in a variety of ways including tables, charts and pictures.
Benchmark 3: Use patterns to describe real-world phenomena..
Benchmark 4: Explore various types of numeric and geometric patterns (repeating, growing, shrinking).
Benchmark 5: Apply their experiences with patterns to help solve problems and explore new content.
Content Standard 2: Students describe the relationships among variables, predict what will happen to one variable as another variable is changed, analyze natural variation and
sources of variability, and compare patterns of change. (Variability and Change)

 

[FreshTressa]

Yes, I don't want to rush my kid off to college. I would rather he be a little older when facing all of those decisions, a little more mature.

It is NOT about academics. My K son went into school knowing how to add 3 digit number, multiply, subtract, read at a third grade level, etc. He is not bored in kindergarten. His teacher works with him to create challenges.

There are 2 younger kids in his class with July and August birthdays and you can just TELL they are less mature. The one wets his pants, get distressed more easily and has trouble staying focused long enough to write a full sentence. K is a struggle for him and he already doesn't like school.

The cut of date is there for a reason. They are professionals and the great majority of kids are not ready. There may be exceptions, but I think that in most cases it is best to give them more time.

You can always skip a grade later if it is obvious that you are much too mature for your class.

As for height, there are lots of tall K at DS's school.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by FreshTressa

It is NOT about academics. My K son went into school knowing how to add 3 digit number, multiply, subtract, read at a third grade level, etc. He is not bored in kindergarten. His teacher works with him to create challenges.
You can always skip a grade later if it is obvious that you are much too mature for your class.
As for height, there are lots of tall K at DS's school.

I know from when my godson went to school here that in the school here if you are ahead they do not work with you so you are not bored...you just sit there and wait for the others to catch up to where you are...he was reading and his mom asked if he couldn't just read a book while the other kids were doing things he already knew and the teacher said "kindergarten kids don't read he has to work at the same pace as the class"...that was that, he was bored there, I don't want that happening to my daughter. And skipping a grade is not an easy thing either, you darn near nead a lawyer to get that to happen around here! They don't have a gifted program until after 3rd grade, up until then you are on your own. As far as tall kids, my daughter is one of the smallest, if not the smallest in her class now and most likely that won't change anytime soon, she teeters on the brink of 30 pounds, she actually hit 30 once but dropped back to 28 so she is going to be the shrimp but that is easier for a girl than a boy.

 

[jacksonsmom]

I am glad this post was started.

I am currently going through the same decision making.
OUr cut off here is 9/1. My son was born 8/11.
Although he excells in preschool, can print his first, middle, and last name, recognize letters & numbers, I am holding him back!!
It took me awhile to come to that decision, because in a way I feel he is ready for the school work.

BUT...we have only a full day kindergarten program here & I worry that fully day kindergarten will be too much learning envoriment for him at a young five.
I worry if at a young 5 he would be able to handle the other pressures of Kindergarten, social & emotional.
There is SO much more to Kindergarten then school work.

I have a neighbor whose older son missed the cut off last year by 1 day! She was mad, our distict is stirict, you either make the cut off or you don't, end of story!
But he started Kindgarten this year when he was 6 years old, she told me she is so happy he actually didn't make the cut off!!
She really didn't realize just what Kindergarteners are supppose to learn and have to deal with.
She has already decided to hold her 2nd son back although he will make the cut off.

I also worry about, even though my son could handle kindergarten now...what about older grades? Middle & High school. I have seen first hand about middle school kids are learning!!! WOW!!!!! I never learned that kind of stuff in Middle school.
So I presonally feel it will be better for my son to be older, especially when it comes to the older grades.

BTW---my son is very tall for his age. He was born at 23 inches & has been growing like a weed ever since. At 4 years old he is 45 inches! Some people think he is 6 or even 7 years old.
So he will probably always been one of the taller ones in class. I don't think that will be that big of a deal, since there are so many "bigger" kids now days.

So my decision is my son will go into a Kindergarten Readiness program next year instead of Kindergarten. It is through his current preschool, but only for kids that are either being held back or just missed the cut off by 2 months.

I don't see any reason to rush my child off to Kindergarten...like someone said "Childhood isn't a race"

 

[Disney Doll]

I missed the cut-off too, so I started school when I was 5 1/2. I was one of the oldest in my class I turned 18 beofre I graduated high school, when most of my friends were turning 18 during that summer or early fall of our first year of college.

I was always a good student, never stayed back, and actually should have in second grade because I missed 3 months of school for heart surgery. When I went back, the teacher, along with the school board, evaluated me and determined that even though I had missed that much school, I had kept up with the work at home while recuperating, and was still perfectly in sync with the rest of the class, so I went on to 3rd grade. Would that same thing have happened if I had been a year younger??? Who knows????

As I stated before, if he has trouble his first year of school, it will color his perception of school negatively for the rest of his life.

 

[deadheadbelle]

My DS turns 5 on July 3rd & we are going to wait until he is 6 to start Kindergarten. It has nothing to do with the schoolwork, moreso the social aspects. When I first suggested this to DH, he thought I was nuts! He had never heard of such a thing. He & I both have November birthdays & started KG when we were 4. I never had a problem, nor did DH (except when I went to college & had to use a fake ID to get into an 18 & older bar !)However, times have changed. To be honest, I am not so concerned about him adjusting in KG, I am looking more at middle school. I would rather he be a bit older that his classmates.

 

[cats mom]

Thanks for starting this post - it has helped me as well.
DD made the cutoff date by just 4 days - but I decided to have her wait - you know, that mommy gut instinct thing

Reading all the way through this thread has helped confirm my decision. I really feel we did the right thing for her!

Another thing to consider: Our friends son tested in and started school young. He did OK - not great - but he just went off to college and they are finding it nearly impossible to get auto insurance for him as he is so young and living on his own. Something I never would think to consider when deciding if a 4 year old is really ready - but it is wreaking havok in their family right now!

 

[disykat]

I guess I just don't get it - maybe things are different here. Both of my kids went in the normal dates and will graduate at 18. Our cutoff is August 30, which means all kids that go in at the normal age in our state would be 18 before going to college. Around here it is common for people to start holding them back for spring birthdays - around March. Those kids turn 7 during kindergarten and then turn 19 up to 4 months before graduation. I really don't see that as a good thing.

I totally agree with "giving the kids the gift of time", but to me that means making kindergarten age appropriate - not having seven year olds in kindergarten.

Now the age span in kindergarten is anywhere from 5 to 7 - with the parents of the 7 year olds pushing for more academics.

 

[TxJasmine]

Somebody stated that it is not about academics - and that is so true!

In Texas the cutoff is Sept. 1. DS has an early Oct. birthday. He was more than ready academically for K when he was 4, so we put him in a private K. He excelled at the private Kindergarten and was top of the class even though he was the youngest.

DH and I really agonized over whether we should put him in first grade, or have him repeat K at the public school. We got a lot of input from teachers, and they all said that we should have him repeat K. The general consensus was that the main problem would be lack of maturity which wouldn't become a problem until middle school. They all felt that boys have a very hard time in middle school, and that maturity is very important. They also believed that he could stay academically challenged.

Reluctantly, we agreed to have DS repeat Kindergarten. We live in an excellent school district, so the teacher managed to keep DS challenged for the whole year. He did not mind repeating at all - and since it was a different school, it was almost like a whole different grade.

DS is now in first grade. He is still academically top of the class. He is also doing great socially. He is one of the older kids in class - but not the oldest. He is actually in the middle of the class age-wise.

I know that we did the right thing. I can't believe that I almost pushed him ahead. That would have been a mistake that I would have regretted forever. Even now I'm already starting to see that DS doesn't have the same level of maturity that DD (3rd grade) had in 1st grade. From what I can see - boys do mature more slowly than girls, and they need the extra time.

From observing other kids in class, it does seem that the older kids do better academically. It's not just about sports.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Originally posted by disykat

I totally agree with "giving the kids the gift of time", but to me that means making kindergarten age appropriate - not having seven year olds in kindergarten.

To me Kindergarten isn't age appropiate anymore.
So I don't really believe it is benefitial to have young 5's sometimes 4 years old sit all day in a classroom. Our Kindergarten program is a full day program, 3 days a week. There is not a choice of half days.

IMO, 8:45-3:15 is a long time for a young 5 to be in a classroom setting.
If Kindergarten was like Kindergarten use to be, more "social" time, I would probably send my child to Kindergarten as a young 5 year old. (He turns 5 on 8/11)

Kindergarten is too much like 1st or even 2nd grade use to be. Face it, all grades have increased what kids should learn & they push & push, maybe some of it does have to do with the "no child left behind" bill.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by disykat

Now the age span in kindergarten is anywhere from 5 to 7 - with the parents of the 7 year olds pushing for more academics.

Thats crazy...my 4 year old would be going to kindergarten with a 7 year old...talk about an age difference!