Should parents be able to aritficially inflate a childs academic and athletic abilities by holding them back?

Question

i have a 5 year old son starting school. he is complaning that there are 6 and 7 year olds that are scoring better on quizes and perform better in gym class because their parents held them back. it is a minor problem but seems somewhat unfair. in the future it could play out much severely. should this be allowed?

Answer 1

I have had a similar issue with my kids. My son is "young" in his class because so many kids did not start kindergarten until they were six and above. The first year he will have to work a little harder to keep up. But as time goes by the differences in age will be less apparent.
On the other hand, I will be holding my daughter back from starting kindergarten because I do not want her to be in the same class with 16 year old boys when she is 13 or 14.
And I agree with the above poster, there should not be this type of pressure on kids at such a young age but the fact is the kids know it. When they are struggling to write the ABC's because their motor skills have not developed it does not go unnoticed that the child next to them can already write.

Answer 2

Nothing stops you from holding your son back until he is 6 or 7 - its not unfair just because you choose not to take the same advantages.

What if the kids were being held back until they were 9 or 10? They would be at a huge disadvantage. My point is that there may be an optimum age for starting school, maybe its not 10, maybe its not 5?

This optimum age would be dynamic, of course.

Answer 3

Absolutely not and it is too bad. I think it's unfair and wrong. Sorry. At the same time it would seem there must've been an academic reason for them to be held back. Maybe they struggled in the revious school year. Your son should feel proud for his learning ability, especially at his young age. The fact he can compete with children two years older than him is wonderful.

Answer 4

It is unfair. I wouldnt hold my child so that he can be better than his peers. I live in South Carolina where we have this thing called leave no child behind. Why should a child go to the next grade if they dont know the lessons in the grade he is already in. That would be my only reason to hold my child back.

Answer 5

Somebody is putting way too much pressure on your son about academic and athletic achievement!!!

In fact he shouldn't even know what it means!!!

Never saw a kindergartner with a 4.0 gpa.... usually they get lots of "S" until they hit 2-3rd grade!

Holding a child back can happen for a lot of different reasons and never, ever should you consider that it is a competition to see who is getting the best grade! (or is the best at hopscotch)

Answer 6

there isn't any rule that a parent could desire to pay for their youngster's college education. the money that they have got saved, in maximum area, required that they sacrifice above and previous the traditional costs of elevating a toddler. i believe that the parent has each top to spend the money as they need and it would not replicate negatively on them to advantages themselves for elevating such an staggering individual that qualifies for a scholarship. enable the mothers and dads keep THEIR funds.

Answer 7

Talk to the teacher about this.

P.S. Just a suggestion, but put this in Pregnancy & Parenting.

Answer 8

no but what are you gonna do about it let your kids deal they have to get tough somehow but don't hold your kid back that will just continue the problem as long as it is not affecting your child directly i think that this is a learning opportunity to teach him to mind his own business

Answer 9

in school there will always be someone better than he is. it will just help him strive better, in my small opinion.

Answer 10

i don't think that should be alowed to be done in purpose. that is UNFAİR