skipping KG

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:oops! just checked. School is mandatory at age 5 for MD, VA, and DC.

I don't think that's accurate for VA. At 5, a kid CAN start. At 6, they MUST start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:oops! just checked. School is mandatory at age 5 for MD, VA, and DC.

I don't think that's accurate for VA. At 5, a kid CAN start. At 6, they MUST start.

More info at http://www.fcps.edu/is/earlychildhood/kindergarten/enrollment.shtml

[Anonymous]

If there was a month where Oct. kids could test in like in Montgomery County, I don't think there'd be as many issues with trying to skip grades or redshirting. The school system should have a little flexibility.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask any teacher of most any grade. They're going to tell you that skipping kindergarten would be a huge disservice to the child for years afterward. Teachers, please post on this!

If your concern is, "My very bright child is going to be bored stiff, is reading already prior to K, is doing math already...." please consider that K is as much about adjusting to the school environment and preparing for the structure and faster pace that hits when K is done. You can work with the school to find things to keep a bright child engaged, and believe me, even a bright kid whom you fear will be bored in K is going to be engaged and excited by the social side of it -- and that side matters.

I can't believe any public school would allow a child to skip K anyway. A private school of course could allow it, but I would seriously question the decision and whether the school was doing it mostly to keep the parents happy -- not because it's the best thing for the child.

OR, she's been in Montessori school since age 2 and already knows how to interact socially and pay attention to an authority figure.plus knows letters, numbers, phonics, concepts, etc.

[Anonymous]

OR, she's been in Montessori school since age 2 and already knows how to interact socially and pay attention to an authority figure.plus knows letters, numbers, phonics, concepts, etc.

That's going to help a lot in high school when all her friends are driving and you have a 13 year old wanting to go with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OR, she's been in Montessori school since age 2 and already knows how to interact socially and pay attention to an authority figure.plus knows letters, numbers, phonics, concepts, etc.

That's going to help a lot in high school when all her friends are driving and you have a 13 year old wanting to go with them.

Gosh, all those defunct students born in the summer. They are just all miserable, social outcasts, huh? Or did you hold yours back?

[Anonymous]

What do you accomplish by skipping K?

[Anonymous]

There is a funny movie set at some elite college where one of the students skipped K. He didn't know colors, so everyone assumes that he was colorblind. But it ended up that he never learned them because they taught them in K.

[Anonymous]

Ha, I used to joke that I couldn't draw a straight line even with a ruler since I skipped KG!

In all seriousness, I did skip KG because I attended a Montessori preschool. I was a year younger than my classmates and had no issues. I loved being the youngest in the class. It gave me even more confidence because I was pulled out for acceleration to higher grades in different subjects even though I was the youngest. I also loved that I was the last to get my license because people always picked me up and I didn't have to drive.

I think it all depends on the child and all these blanket statements saying it is never OK to skip KG are ridiculous. The tough part as a parent is predicting how your child will react years down the line.

[Anonymous]

I skipped K back in the 70s, different state and I'm the youngest of 3. I turned out totally fine from an emotional and social standpoint. I didn't skip because I was gifted, just because my mom knew about the loophole in my home state and took advantage of it. I think she just wanted me out if her hair sooner ? I feel most areas in the country don't fret over skipping K or redshirting like they do in the metro area.

And I do have an early Oct baby, who just finished K. DC did extremely well the first year. I do credit being the second oldest in class to that and being in preschool FT previously. I honestly couldn't see DC going to school a year earlier. Maturity wise would have been difficult (first born). Don't sweat kindergarten. Your child is only a child once. Enjoy the experience!

[Anonymous]

Speaking as a mom whose kids are grown--don't rush it. It goes fast enough. Send the child to kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Speaking as a mom whose kids are grown--don't rush it. It goes fast enough. Send the child to kindergarten.

Absolutely agree (seasoned mom of 3 here, including one of those "advanced" reading chapter books doing double digit addition/subtraction kindergartners)

Kindergarten is not only the best year for the kid, but it is pretty darn fun for the parent as well. Take your time, enjoy the moment. If you have a girl especially, the mean girl stuff starts in first grade, and goes full force soon after. Why take from your child that one year where everything is important and exciting, when whoever you sit next to is your best friend, and where coloring and gluing things is as important as the other stuff?

Do you realize how educated this area is? Even if your kid "went to montessori" it is not like she is going to be some freakishly smart anamoly in her class. She WILL have an intellectual peer group. There are going to be many kids in her class, including younger kids and kids who stayed at home with a parent and skipped preschool, who will be at or around her level. Having other classmates who start kindergarten reading, doing math and writing is just a fact of life here, and not a novelty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Speaking as a mom whose kids are grown--don't rush it. It goes fast enough. Send the child to kindergarten.

Absolutely agree (seasoned mom of 3 here, including one of those "advanced" reading chapter books doing double digit addition/subtraction kindergartners)

Kindergarten is not only the best year for the kid, but it is pretty darn fun for the parent as well. Take your time, enjoy the moment. If you have a girl especially, the mean girl stuff starts in first grade, and goes full force soon after. Why take from your child that one year where everything is important and exciting, when whoever you sit next to is your best friend, and where coloring and gluing things is as important as the other stuff?

Do you realize how educated this area is? Even if your kid "went to montessori" it is not like she is going to be some freakishly smart anamoly in her class. She WILL have an intellectual peer group. There are going to be many kids in her class, including younger kids and kids who stayed at home with a parent and skipped preschool, who will be at or around her level. Having other classmates who start kindergarten reading, doing math and writing is just a fact of life here, and not a novelty.

I am thirding this sentiment. If the OP comes back, why the rush?

[Anonymous]

DC was in K before the August 31 cut off was adopted, so as a fall birthday, she always youngest, or almost youngest, in class. Very high test scores, that's not the issue. Being young compounded by so may parents now giving their kids the "gift of an extra year" means she's been in classes with many, especially boys, who are 1-2 years older than she is. Many disadvantages, especially in middle school.

[Anonymous]

What a horrible thing to do to a kid.