My Son turns 5 in December. His brother attends a private school that accepts late kindergarten birthdays.?

Question

he can recite his abc's front to back and we are working on back to front. He knows all the sounds they make and can write his name. He can count to 20 and knows his colors and shapes. He will need to take an assesment test next month. What is this test comprised of? Most importantly..he WANTS to go. We have made him aware that he does not have to start if he doesn't want to. I would love to have him home with me one more year, but certainly not at his expense. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

My concern is the social aspect of it. We had that option in a public school with my niece, but chose against it (her mother is a psychologist and knew that her daughter was not socially ready). He'll be smaller than all the other kids and will be made fun of (even if you don't think he will be, trust me he will). Being a boy at this stage of development won't help him, either. As much of a gender equality pusher as I am, I have seen a difference in maturity level, social skills, and even academic ability between boys and girls and boys just aren't at the same level as the girls. Your son wants to go to school, he doesn't necessarily want to go to kindergarten. You could get him into a pre-kindergarten program elsewhere that would probably be just as beneficial. I wouldn't keep him at home with you, but I'd definitely get him into some sort of school program.

Answer 2

I think that the reason you may want to wait until its time is the social thing. He's 4 years old. Is he emotionally ready to sit in a structured classroom setting all day. How about homework. Is he mentally prepared for that? At least that's what it's like where I live. Kindergarten is all day everyday, and there is homework. Not every night, but a couple times a week. Maybe preschool. That would get him in a classroom setting, and give him the feel for what it's like without so much structure, and no homework. Also, he can just go a few hours a day. Besides, as an added bonus, most of the preschools are more play based, which I personally think is the best way to teach a 3-4 year old. I don't think there is any question your child has the knowledge to go to kindergarten, but is he ready? Only you can answer that, you're the mom. But I would think long and hard about if I wanted to put that kind of pressure on a 4 year old. Personally, I would let him be a kid another year, but that's just me!

Answer 3

It sounds like you are taking que's from your son, which is great! I was also worried about my daughter going to kindergarten last September, she was only 4 years old (November baby). In preschool they tested her for kindergarten readiness and it was mostly letter and number recognation, shapes, colors, and motor skills. When she did start kindergarten she could recite her abc's but did not know all the sounds, could add to 20, and new colors and shapes. She was given 1 on 1 help at school and before the first half of school was finished we recieved a note saying that she no longer needs it and is on track with all her peers and now she is actually reading, counting to 100+ and counting by 2's, 5's, and 10's, they started adding and subtracting. And socializing has not and never had been a problem.

Answer 4

Hi Bethany, honey your son's gay whether you like it or not. Being homosexual is not a sin and if you were truly Christian you wouldn't be eating shellfish or wear clothing made from two different types of cloth. You should learn to be more open minded, you don't even know for sure that god even exists and yet you use him as an excuse to be close-minded and kind of stuck up if I'm honest. He has a magazine with naked men in it for gods sake take a hint also he is a 17 year old boy he has a lot of hormones running through him, he's probably also masturbating. As to what you should do about this: Let him know that you know but also you should let him know that it is okay to be homosexual. Boys are 4 times more likely to commit suicide than girls and if you don't accept your son the way he is then you are a horrible person because I'm sure the bible taught you to love your children. Unlike popular belief, you can't choose if you're gay or not, if you don't believe me then consider this: why would anyone choose to be shut out from your family and called a disgrace and be bullied on a daily basis?

Answer 5

My wife, Kindergarten teacher for over 25 years, would beg you to keep him back. My own experience as a young Kindergartener would agree with her.

It is not a matter of what he knows, or his enthusiasm. It is all about physical maturity- not just this year, but the next couple as well.

Teachers see it over and over. The youngest children in the classrooms just do not do as well in most categories as the older children do. On the other hand, the older children in the class usually do better than the others.

It is just not worth the problems when it can be solved so easily!

Weigh the pros and cons. The only real pros are bragging rights and a short-lived sense of accomplishment. There are few pros academically (academic head-starting tends to even out by 3rd grade, so that is a short-lived victory as well.

Answer 6

I am a teacher and so therefore I can provide some insight for your dilemma. The demands of the kindergarten curriculum are much greater, really doesn't even compare, to when you and I were in school. In addition to that, boys typically mature at a slower rate than girls. As a teacher, I can definitely pick out those students who are spring and summer babies, your child would even be later than that. They are far less mature and and just not ready to learn to meet those demands of the curriculum. I don't doubt your child's intelligence, he sounds like a super smart little boy. However, if I were you, before enrolling him in kindergarten, since he wants to go to school, I would find a good preschool. Preschool would get him ready for kindergarten socially and academically.

Answer 7

WAIT!!!!! Boys who turn 5 later in the year are more likely to have problems later, like 4th grade and up. Academically, he may be ready, but physically and maturity wise, he still may be "short". My son turned 5 in November and we tried putting him in K at 4. We pulled him out after 2 weeks and waited another year. My nephew has the same bday as my son, and they WISH they had waited. They said by the 4th grade it was a real struggle for him and it was back and forth with tutors and falling grades. Physically, he may be the smallest in the class, which could be hindrence later in school when it comes to school sports and such. He'll also be one of the last ones in his class to drive. (I'm a December baby too and I was the third to last to get my license). However I'm a girl and it seems to be a different viewpoint from educators when it comes to girls in the same situation. Girls generally do better than boys. If you can wait, do so. It is best for him. My son turned 6 in K and he's sooo much better off emotionally as well as a much better student, reading well above his level. Private schools are the way to go, which is where I was brought up...hence starting at 4 myself, however, after many conversations with friends who are teachers and family members dealing with boys with late birthdays, EVERYONE agreed to waiting one more year... I'm sooooo glad we did.

Answer 8

I had a child that was 4 at Kindergarten. His bday was just before the Oct. 15 cut off. I ended up having him held back in the 2nd grade. I am so glad I did. He fits in better with those kids and is actually bit more mature..he is doing above average work in everything. In 3rd grade he was a bit behind..socially educationally and size. I was so glad they put him back to 2nd for me. I would never advice a person to start their child at age 4 even if they are going to turn 5 before the cut off date. Our kids are not kids long enough. I have seen kids skip grades and once they get to Jr. High it really makes it hard on them. Go with Preschool and if she needs full time daycare as well there are so many of them that do preschool with them. Don't rush her she is going to grow up fast enough.

Answer 9

We were in the same boat with our son, birthed Dec. 25th. My husband and I accessed his abilities, which it sounds like you guys have already done as well as his social behaviours. We also asked our son if he wanted to go and he did. If you feel that he is ready and he feels the same, then send him. We felt willing to give him a try and we did! Our son has done very well.
You guys sound like very supportive parents, he will do well. If he doesn't, you will be there to help him. If he feels that school is too much and doesn't want to go after all, you can always pull him back out and try again next year. Chances are though, he will do really well and surprise you. You know your child best, go for it.....

Answer 10

I personally think that he should stay home another year. Starting a child early may get them out of school sooner, but starting them a little late also gives them an advantage to be a little older and more able to handle social and behavioral aspects of school. Whereas, now, he may fit in and may be academically alright, in later years he may have more trouble with it. I think giving him more time to learn and grow would be better. He could always go to preschool as well if he'd like to be in school. That way you would know that he is socially able to handle kindergarten, he could go to school, but he wouldn't be being pushed ahead of himself.
Also, around high school and college level it may affect him more socially if his friends are getting their licenses and taking driver's education before him (late birthdays tend to be on the lower end of the list).