Is it ok for my kid to not attend preschool now and go directly to kindergarten when he is 4 next year?

Question

We are from san francisco. Thank you very much for your help.

Answer 1

Sure, if that is your choice. They test here in NJ to see of the child is ready. Maybe just for social skills you should have your child attend a couple of half days. I was told when I toook my daughter that the teachers can totally tell who attended pre school and who did not. Better social skills and a bit more mature and advanced as far as learning.

Good luck with your choice~

Answer 2

California’s policy is that the child needs to be 5 years old on or before December 3rd. So if he is not 5 by then they will not accept him.

If he is not getting a lot of exposure to other children (one on one and in groups at least 3 times a week) I would consider putting him in preschool part time. It is best for 3 year olds to go 3 days a week, no more than 3 hours per day. When he turns 4 he can go 4 days a week and at 5 years, 5 days a week. Many Montessori schools offer this option. San Francisco and the bay area have some great Montessori schools!

My advice to you would be to wait until he is 5 before you enroll him in kindergarten. I have been teaching in a Montessori preschool/kindergarten for over 12 years and in the case of every child who does not meet the cut off age for kindergarten and children who are late summer born or early fall born advise the parents not to send them on. It does not matter what they know academically. What matters most is social and emotional development. Think about how would he do with children 1 or 2 years older than him? Children who start kindergarten early often fall behind. They cry more, have a hard time making friends, playing games, following directions, being on the playground. The other children often see them as the "babies" because they are the youngest in the class. Also, a lot of children who start kindergarten early are held back. They see their peers move on. They feel something is wrong with them because they were left behind.

Over the years I have contacted many former parents who decided to send their child on early. A lot of these children had the problems I mentioned. Every child was held back, most repeated kindergarten, some were held back a grade or two down the road. Every parent who sent their child on regretted their decision!

Also think about his later years. He will always be the youngest. He won’t be able to play sports (they have a cut off age). He'll be a 16 year old in high school with 18 year olds. He will forever try and catch up.

These are some basic skills that you son should have before starting school: hold a pencil in an orthodox way, recognize his name, write his name (upper case first letter followed by lower case), know 8 basic colors, cut with scissors, dress himself, take care of all bathroom needs. Here is a link to some more readiness skills. http://www.srvusd.k12.ca.us/schools/REGISTRATION_INFORMATION/KINDERGARTEN/Kindergarten_Readiness_Skills/

Give him the "gift" of another year! Good luck!

Answer 3

Not in my opinion, as a former teacher and parent of 3 school age children. They learn SO MUCH in preschool about social relationships and getting along, much more than any skills or knowlege you could teach at home. Four is awfully young for Kindergarten, too; he will always be the youngest in his class, forever, and that will not serve him well. Why not put him in PreK somewhere at a good preschool for a year?

Answer 4

preschool is not a mandatory thing, but I believe the child has to pass a screening to go to Kindergarden with out preschool (this is just what I've heard, I'm not there with my son yet.) YOu have to check the age requirements with the school, I don't think most schools let 4 year olds in, I think you have to be 5 or 6 by a certain date.

Answer 5

Are you from San Francisco or do you live in San Francisco?
Some school districts have strict rules about the age of the child attending. I would just call the school and ask.
I put both of my daughters in pre-school at 4 years old, and I feel it was a great choice, they both benefited.

Answer 6

Yes, but don't do it. Youngest children tend to be a disadvantage due to social maturation in many cases. A year of development is huge at the preschool age! Social maturity counts for a lot even if a child has all the academic skills.

Answer 7

I think it's fine. It really is your choice. Other parents may try to guilt you into sending your child off to preschool, but you know your child better than anyone else. And you can always help stimulate your child's mind at home with coloring, finger painting, and even counting every day things around the house; like how many apples are in the fruit bowl. Just don't let other parents tell you what is best for your child.

Answer 8

My husband is from California, and he didn't attend kindergarten and looking back as an adult, he says he wish his mother would have put him in because there are important skills that he missed.

My children all attended prek at the age of 4, and they are all well into elementary now and doing very good. The earlier you can get a child into school the better, their little minds are wonderful sponges that can hold more than we know. :)

If YOU feel that your child is socially ready then go for it! It is good for the child.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Yes, it's ok but, he would benefit from preschool first. He'll already have the idea of school and can help set the example. Research also shows that kids that attend preschool have a better chance succeeding in school after that. My kids are examples of that.

Answer 10

I'd wouldn't recommend it. Preschool offers so many things to a child. Social interaction, learning through play and a structured environment for example. Even if its only a few mornings a week I'd send my kid to preschool.