Is it better to hold a child back from Kindergarten, or have the child repeat it again?

Question

My 4yr old is supposed to start school in the fall. He currently attends a specialized school for the delays he has had since he was 10months. He has come so far,but still lacks some skills and maturity of say a tipical child his age.

Answer 1

You absolutely should hold him back due to his having delays and lacks some skills and maturity. He will need all the functioning skills possible before starting such a long journey of 12 years. I did not start my own son until he was 6 yrs old and he is know a computer expert at a college. Your son needs to mature more---whats the hurry?

Answer 2

I think it is best to hold a child back from kindergarten then to let him flunk and repeat. Some kids maturity just does not click as early as some and for his sake and the parents, holding a kid back is not a bad thing. If his maturity and skills are not up to par and is already attending a school, I would keep him there. You still have a little time and he may mature a good bit this summer. Good luck!

Answer 3

If your child is receiving mor individual and specialized attention in this school than he would in kindergarten, I would hold off for another year. But if not, go ahead and send him. What you might want to do is meet with the school, let them know about his developmental delays, and work with them to come up with the best plan. Arm yourself with all the information: anything relating to your son's situation, any and all programs and benefits offered by the school or the state, and reports from all of his teachers and caregivers. It's going to be a long, involved process, but worth it. You are going to have to be your son's advocate all the way through school, and the best way to do that is to establish a relationship with the school now. Good luck!

Answer 4

I say keep the young man home for one more year. It's alot easier on him than in he were to attend a full year of school, make little friends, and then wonder why he didn't get to move on to the next grade along with his friends.
I kept my middle son home an extra year. His birthday was at the end of June and he could have gone, but I don't regret the decision at all. Now, he's doing great in school.
If nothing else, it just gives mom one more year before having to send her baby off to college.

Answer 5

I would check the school he is supposed to attend for the answers before making a decision. Also ask what resources are available if he lags behind. In some states (aka Georgia) the parents are not permitted to hold back the child. You may want to see what the specifics are in your state. Also, if you decide to home school you may also have to register your information to the state so the child can take standardized testing to monitor their progress. It is your decision, make it an informed one.

Answer 6

Hold him back and have him attend Kindergarten next year. "Repeating a grade" is something that will stick with him, whereas just starting a year later is simply starting late... Lots of kids end up doing this anyway because of where birthday cutoffs fall, etc.

Answer 7

Kids develop at different rates. If your child is a boy, and he is a little less socially developed than others his age, hold him back. I have three friends that held back sons who were born late in the year (Nov, Dec babies) and not one regrets the decision to wait one year. All three boys are doing fine (they are all 8-11 years old now) and did not suffer the frustrations of being less advanced than classmates.

Answer 8

We waited with our daughter, she just wasn't ready. I have never wished I sent her this year. She has matured so much. I didn't want her to feel like she was always trying to play catch up. I would rather her be ahead and have confidence in herself. They wanted me to send her to summer school and have her taken out of the classroom for one on one time. This was the craziest thing I had ever heard--for kindergarten! I actually talked to a woman who tests kids for kindergarten and she told me holding her back was the best thing to do. If you want to wait a year, wait-do not let anyone else pressure you into putting them into school. YOU know your child best, it is your decision. I had my daughter tested so we would know what areas she needed improvement on. We just keep working with her. Good luck.

Answer 9

The best thing for your child would be to hold him back otherwise he will continue to be behind of the other children. Since he's young he's likely not to notice the difference anyhow. If possible, change his school, but otherwise you are going to want to do the best thing for your son.
If he continues to fall behind, request a CSE meeting through the board of ed.

Answer 10

I would never hold my child back,it makes them feel like they are not good enough,Its just not right to tell anyone they are not good enough,some of our greatest people were told they werent good enough,and they became famouse. Just becouse a child is not doing well to someones perspective doesent mean they arent good enough,just means they are good at something else.You are an adult,you should know if your child has special interests?Never let anyone keep you or him from striving for whats important to you,teachers are only human too.