Why are kids born in december held back a year?

Question

I don't know if all schools have this, but does anyone else have that system where if you're born in december, you go with the following year. For example, if you were born in december 1986, you would be with 1987 kids. I do know of many schools, including the one I went to that had that rule. Does anyone know why this is exactly, and what's the point?

Answer 1

Being held back and having to start the following year are two different things. Most schools have a December 4th or right around there cutoff for kids who are starting school that year (Kindergarten). Personally, having worked with quite a few Kindergartens the last few years, i think the cut off age should be October or November. There are far too many kids, unfortunately many are boys, who are just too immature to start school @ age 4 and turn 5 before the Dec. deadline. However, if a child is mature enough or knows enough to begin after they turn 5, some schools will allow them to start the second half of the year. I knew a girl who had a Jan. birthday and who was tested in August, when she was 4, and told that if the parents wanted to start her in Jan. when she turned 5 they could or they could choose to hold her out for the entire year and then just enroll her in school the next year. The parents sent her to Kindergarten after she turned 5 and she was at the top of her class even being almost a year younger than some of them.

Kindergarten is not mandatory. Kids do not have to go. However, for most, it is a very good thing.

Answer 2

I was born in December and started school when I was 5 years old - graduated at 17 from high school and graduated at 20 from college. I was born in 1952 - I don't know how this all began, but as a teacher I know that they discovered throughout the years that many of the students were entering school and were very, very unprepared. They didn't know how to spell their names, address, phone number or basic information. As you know, over the years information that a child should know when they enter first grade has quadrupled! When my daughter entered school, she had to know name, address, phone number, birthday, mom and dad's info and work numbers, social security number. It was encouraged that she knew how to read or be familiar with some words, count to 10, etc. There is so much today that a child must know in order to protect themselves and have immediate access to protection. Today's kids need to recognize the 'safe place' buildings (usually the grocery stores and other places). It's crazy - but I do understand the need. When my daughter went to school, I made sure she knew information - and she was reading before she was 4. But, I have many students that I believe could have had another year in a grade. Children have to be able to understand and grasp the concepts that are being taught - sometimes teachers are so pressed to meet deadlines and standards that we don't always 'catch' the student who needs the extra help.

Answer 3

If you don't turn a certain age before September, they make you enroll the following year.

I was born in December. Instead of graduating highschool this year, I graduate next year. It can suck if you let it get to you, but its really no big deal

*Not all schools are like that, but most are

Answer 4

Its an attractive question, yet i've got not got self belief that no rely if or no longer we carry the social gathering on the precise day or the fake one variations the coronary heart of the social gathering, Christmas's purpose. To rejoice Christ's start. The technicalities, although interesting talk, are doctrinally irrelevant. Celebrating trip trips or no longer is spoke of in Romans 14. it fairly is written, ~One individual considers at some point to be above yet another day. somebody else considers on a daily basis to be an identical. absolutely everyone would desire to be completely confident in his very own concepts. Whoever observes the day, observes it to the Lord.~ so as long as we rejoice Christma for the respect of God, it fairly is on December twenty 5th or on Febuary 14th.

Answer 5

They usually want kids to be 5 pretty much by the beginning of the school year (so that's usually around the beginning of September). Kindergarten can be a bit much for a 4 year old.

Answer 6

It depends on the school. I have a friend who started school late and one who started on time and both are born in December. We all went to the same school.

Answer 7

it's not just the knowledge that the child has upon entering school. it's also maturity. kids have to be able to adapt to the school rules and get along with everyone fairly well. also, a child must be ready to learn. they can be ready at a younger age, but most aren't ready til they're 5 or 6. it's better that they start school a year later than flunk and be held back.

Answer 8

It's because when you're born in December, you don't turn the age (let's say five or six when your in kindergarten) until all of the other kids turn five or six. You have to be a certain age before you enter school.

Answer 9

True for children beginning Kindergarten, although ours is more like September. It's due to maturity. Many children with a later birthday end up repeating or having trouble in the future due to maturity issues. I see it often. There also must be a cut off date for acceptance

It also happened to me...I was a February baby.

Answer 10

my son is actually a year older than most other kids in his class because his birthday is in december. my daughter on the other hand is almost a year younger because her birthday is in oct..just five days before the cut off in this state..out of the two..he is right where he should be she is a little more immature than other kids in her grade..most schools have a cut off so kids are actually mature and ready for school