My son birthday is in Augusta and he has been is preschool for a year. Academically he is doing very well but maturity wise he may not be ready for kindergarten. He will be five in august and kindergarten starts in August should I put him through the five year old preschool prgram and start him in kindergarten next year?
2007-05-02 05:52:16 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Primary & Secondary Education
I had a friend who faced this problem with her daughter. Her birthday was in September and she didn't think that her daughter was really ready for Kindergarten, even though she'd been in preschool for 2 years. But, she put her in anyways, to keep her on track for her age and she found out: her daughter had the maturity of a 5 year old. While she wasn't MENSA ready, she did just fine. What you have to remember about children is that they don't all age the same, act the same, mature the same. And for the most part, kids are immature....it's why they're the kids. I have a 7 year old and a 5 year old (who will also be starting kindergarten in fall), and I do understand your dilemma, but although I expect a lot from both my children and set higher standards for them to work towards, I always try to remember that they are just kids and that I want them to enjoy that for as long as possible. We all want what's best for our kids, but keeping him from starting school on time might not be it. Talk to him, ask him if he wants to start school. If he doesn't, then maybe he is not ready. But if he does, then let him go and learn the way we all did. It's a nice idea to try and keep our kids in bubble wrap and warn them off every pit-fall in front of them, but sometimes we have to let them find their way on their own.
2007-05-02 06:11:08 · answer #1 · answered by Melissa M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people seem to be doing this. My daughter has a July birthday and I never thought of holding her when she was five because she too was doing well academically. She is now eight and I don't think it was wrong that I didn't hold her although she is always the youngest in her class so sometimes when she registers for extra curricular activities, i.e. softball she ends up in the group for eight and under while most of her classmates are in the 9-10 year old group. It doesn't seem to bother her and I figure it just gives her a chance to meet more friends and it is an opportunity to then feel like one of the big kids since she never feels that in school (being the last kid to turn to the next age and after school has let out for the summer). Each kid is different, these are just some things to think over as you make your decision. Oh, one more thing, if he ever does struggle, if he started kindergarten this year and later needed to repeat it wouldn't be a big deal cuz then he'd just be on the older range of his classmates, (like he'd have a cushion if he ever needs it).
2007-05-02 13:03:40 · answer #2 · answered by ersof59 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maturity increases a lot in knidergarten as well. My daughter is finishing up and a see a big difference from the beginning.
But my mom was a kindergarten teacher and she as seen 4 year olds ready and 6 year olds not. I would recommend making an appointment with the kindergarten team at the school do discuss/evaluate your son.
I certainly don't think waiting another year can do any harm but it can do a world of good in setting a kid up for success in school.
2007-05-02 12:59:26 · answer #3 · answered by chickey_soup 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a male who had to enter 1st grade a year after I should have just because my birthday is in January, I can tell you it is not good to be held back if you are academically able to handle the work. If "maturity" means he can't work with others or be still and focus on what the teacher is doing, fine. But keep in mind he may be frustrated by being academically ahead of his classmates, and he is not being immature, he is bored and frustrated. Holding him back will only make that worse.
2007-05-02 13:06:01 · answer #4 · answered by thylawyer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It certainly wouldn't hurt him to have an extra year to mature somewhat. When our son was in 1st grade we recognized the same thing in him, and had him repeat 1st grade. It did him a world of good. All kids mature at different rates. Holding him back one more year might be a very good thing.
2007-05-02 12:59:28 · answer #5 · answered by kj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maturity is always a plus. Let him go to preschool first. He'll do better in school all of his life.
2007-05-02 13:01:22 · answer #6 · answered by KIZIAH 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I say if he's got the work down, move him along.
I don't really like the "maturity" issue with such young kids . . . when, by definition they are immature.
2007-05-02 13:24:46 · answer #7 · answered by Moneta_Lucina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't feel that he is ready emotionally, then keep him in pre-school one more year.
2007-05-02 12:56:12 · answer #8 · answered by lyllyan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋