Should I make my son repeat kindergarten?

Question

Is there a creative way to break this news to an almost 6 year old?

Ultimately, it is our decision but the teacher has recommended we hold him back due to his fine and gross motor skills. As far as reading and math, he is up to speed on his schoolwork. He is the youngest in the class but will be heartbroken if his friends move on and he doesn't. Any suggestions to help me make an educated decision?

Answer 1

I would not hold him back I would let him go on with his friends a recent study shows that it can make a child even more worse if hes held back due to the fact that everyone eles got to go and not him the best thing to do is work with him at home really hard do not give up you can even make it fun for him bring him with you to the store to get some at home work and let him pick out from what you have already selected . Thankyou

Answer 2

If you and the teacher are all in agreement that he should be held back do it now. Otherwise he could end up struggling more later on in school. I am a first grade teacher and sometimes another year in kindergarten makes a world of difference. If you really feel he is ready to move on that is your choice. What skills is he actually having trouble with specifically? If the teacher has listed things he is having trouble with work with him at home. I know it is hard when their friends move on. If you decide to keep him back really play up the fact that he will be a big helper since he knows what to do in kindergarten and that completing kindergarten twice will help him be a better student. Like I said it is ultimately your decision, but if he stays with his current class he might stay at the lower end of the class, if he repeats he might really shine. Good luck with your decision and have faith in your choice.

Answer 3

Since it is kindergarten, I would not hold him back due to his fine and gross motor skills. He is doing the educational part just fine, so let him move on up with his friends. Just work on ways at home to help with the fine and gross motor skills. It may do more damage to him to make him stay behind over something like that. As long as he is not having problems with the school work part, move him on!! Good Luck.

Answer 4

Academics are not the only reason to consider when faced with this topic. There are many, many reasons as to why children repeat a grade. Both of my sisters have November birthdays. The one that repeated KG was first in her class for academics, and was very successful socially. My other sister did not repeat, and struggled in many facets of her life (and still does!)

Has your child been evaluated by your family doctor, or a physical therapist? They may be able to provide you with other avenues that could give you more insight.

As a preschool teacher, I work with my families when determining if a child should repeat a year. More often than not, I recommend that they should give their child the gift of time. The families that take the recommendation often come back later to say that was the best decision that they could have made.

Answer 5

If it were my child, I would move him on as long as the educational stuff is up to par that is what my concern would be. His motor skills of course are important but.. it can be worked with over the summer and do activities that will help him. Ask the teacher for any fine and gross motor activities that can be recomended as well as talk to your doctor I am sure there is alot you can do you have the interent at your finger tips as well. Good Luck in the end the decision is yours,, do what you think is best for YOUR child,

Answer 6

I would not hold him back since he is doing fine with reading & math. He can catch up on learning his fine motor skills. ALL children learn things at different levels. Some children (including adults) are better at somethings than others. My son struugles in reading in the 1st grade but he is getting special help with reading in school & at home. I asked the teacher if he would have to repeat 1st grade because of it and she said no. She also said now adays schools do not like to hold children back. Good luck in making your decision!

Answer 7

Move him to first grade and repeat that if he continues to have problems. Work with him on physical activities for large motor skills and art activities for small motor skills over summer vacation. He'll probably hit those milestones that your teacher is looking to see in him with some encouragement. The main differences between kindergartners and first graders are age and academics. Keeping him another year in kindergarten will probably hurt his self-image more than it helps his motor skills. I would also opt for Title I services before retaining, especially if he has close friends in his current grade.

Answer 8

just let him go on to the first grade. once he is there and over the summer, you need to get as many helpful tools as you can to boost your childs fine and gross motor skills. keep in close touch with the teacher in first grade and have them give you any extra things that the child can do to improve this. there is extra help you can get for your child at school but you will have to contact them about this. every kid is different, each learning at their own pace. give your child a chance to catch up and if by the end of the first grade year if things don't improve after all of the intervention then maybe consider doing this but i would wait first. hope this helps. good luck.

Answer 9

That is tough to tell a child. But, do YOU believe your son need to repeat kindergarten? If you think he's able to move on to the next grade, then let him move forward. Maybe you can get him in a summer program that will work with him to prepare for the next school year. If all else fails, explain to him gently that you want him to be able to learn and know as much as he can. And that improvement is not a bad thing.

Answer 10

Don't forget that social education is just as or MORE important than fine and gross (whatever that is) motor skills. Don't hold him back. Do after school work if you need to. As you said anyway, his math and reading is on par with his pairs. Don't do it.