Am I putting my child in kinder too soon?

Question

My son will turn 5 next nov so he will start kinder in Sept when he's still 4. A lot of people are telling me to wait another year but I wanted to start him in kinder ASAP- (day care costing me about $700.00 a month) and plus I think he is smart enough. anyone w/ similar situation?

Answer 1

Yes!!! My advice to you would be to wait until he is 5 before you enroll him in kindergarten. Teachers are desperately trying to change the cut off date to September 1st. There is an amazing difference between children that start kindergarten who meet the cut off date and those who do not! It is the trend now for parents to hold their child out of kindergarten an extra year. I have been teaching in a Montessori preschool/kindergarten for over 13 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. Some of these parents had their children tested at their local school district and their child was accepted. It does not matter what children know academically. What matters most is social and emotional development. 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 harder 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 group of 25+ children). 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 your sons later years. He will always be the youngest. He won’t be able to play sports because they have a cut off age. He'll be a 16 year old in high school with 18 year olds. His peers will all reach milestones first and be able to do many more things than your son because of age. 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 her name, write her 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/

I know it is costly but do your best keep him in preschool another year. Do everything you can to keep him exposed to other children several times a week.

Please, give him the "gift" of another year! I promise you won’t regret it!

Answer 2

Around here there really isn't a choice. Kids start Juniour Kindergarten at age 4 ( they start in Sept and they must be 4 before Dec. 31. That means that some of them are actually 3 1/2). They move on to Senior Kindergarten the next year. JK is not mandatory but SK is, so all kids are in school by the time they are 5.

Your son is probably ready.

Answer 3

I have the same situation with both my kids except they will turn 5 a month before school. I still have a couple of years before they go to school but I am already thinking about what to do. If you think that he is ready then I would put him in. The only thing to worry about is his maturity. My mom is a teacher and the immaturity hurts them even if they are very smart. For little boys this is more common. The worse they can happen is that he will have to go to pre-first or repeat kindergarten if the school doesn't have the pre-first program. At a young age they don't realize that they are having to repeat. The extra year would only benefit him in the long run. The extra money you would save on daycare would be worth it though. If you think that he is ready then I would send him. That is the decision that I have come to with my own kids. If they seem ready then I will send them. Good Luck!!

Answer 4

Your son will most likely have to undergo screening before he starts. In addition to passing, he will also have to make the cutoff age. In most districts, the child has to be 5 by September, but it may be different where you live. If he is old enough, passes the screening, AND you think he's truly ready, send him. Otherwise, you may have to wait another year. Please don't put him in school before he's ready just so you can save money. Do you want his first "real" school experience to be a negative one because he's not ready? It's better to start him late than have him stay back a year. Intelligence is only a small part of kindergarten; children have to be socially and emotionally ready as well. But if you think he's ready, check with the pediatrician and your district's policies. Good luck.

Answer 5

Many children turn 5 in kindergarden and then there is others who turn 6 (such as me) it all depended on the time of year the birthday was. Seeing as i was born in January I had to wait a year while my friend was born in december and got to start when I did, essentially we are a full year apart in age. She turned 5 I turned 6 while we were in kindergarden.


If your child birthdate falls into the registration year than he should go to school (and i think has to) who cares what others have to say, you are trying to provide an education for him so what is the problem right :)

Answer 6

Well my son's birthday is the end of Dec and he started Kinder at 4. It was the best thing for him. I didnt want him to be 6 in kinder!

Answer 7

If your son is ready (and only you will know) then do so. There's usually a form list that they give you where your child has to be able to complete a list of tasks upon enrolling, such as toilet trained, ability to share, put on his own coat and boots etc. If he's ready to learn, don't hold him back!

Answer 8

Actually I started kindergarden early . . . in my state the cut off date is Oct. 15 and my birthday is Nov. 1

Your child should be fine

The only thing that might be the issue it that he will be younger than most of everyone else in his grade

Answer 9

no alot of kids dont turn 5 till the following year, i think they have till march to turn 5 in most places. i think he i will be good. my daughter turned 5 in october so started kindergarden at age 4 aswell.

Answer 10

Nah.
I started kindergarten at 4 and my birthday wasn't till september and we started in august. Not too young at all. He will be fine. It is a good chance to make friends.