Crunch Time: Pre-K or K?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Congratulations that your first grader successfully completed kindergarten this year.

Congratulations that you feel some need to be snarky.

Why be in denial? If it is the truth, then why not embrace it. My kid, who should be in first grade had a FABULOUS year in Kindergarten!

I am glad for their self confidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assuming a late summer birthday means August vs. September, I'd send him. If a late summer birthday is referring to a birthday in mid-September, I'd wait a year.

What is the defining bright line between August and September, though?

[Anonymous]

I have a related issue. If I hold my son back, he'll be in the same grade as his sister, who is 18 months younger. Has anyone done this?

I feel like it just opens up a new set of issues - for both children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a related issue. If I hold my son back, he'll be in the same grade as his sister, who is 18 months younger. Has anyone done this?

I feel like it just opens up a new set of issues - for both children.

I probably wouldn't do this, unless there were really strong indicators that your son should not go to K. If so, could you wait to start her as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a related issue. If I hold my son back, he'll be in the same grade as his sister, who is 18 months younger. Has anyone done this?

I feel like it just opens up a new set of issues - for both children.

I probably wouldn't do this, unless there were really strong indicators that your son should not go to K. If so, could you wait to start her as well?

I don't know, she's really pretty advanced - probably because she's highly motivated following her older brother around all day. I think it would hurt her to hold her back. And I think it would hurt my DS's self-esteem, long-term if I held him back and he was in her class. Plus I feel like there would be more competition between them.

I'm just not sure.

[Anonymous]

I'd send him if he's ready. I would imagine that pre-K is confining and unimaginative for a child who is ready for more.

14:48's got the best advice for you. Don't see this as giving your son an "edge" over his peers, but rather evaluating if he's truly ready to begin.

[Anonymous]

12:17 - It will be totally horrible if they are in the same grade and she's the better student. I can't imagine that doing much good for his self-esteem.

[Anonymous]

I grew up with 2 siblings 14 months a part in the same grade. The older was a girl - younger brother was very bright and skipped a grade in elementary school.

For the right kids, family, school it is not a problem - for others a lot more of an issue. I think no matter what you will need to manage your 2 children's relationships in school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:17 - It will be totally horrible if they are in the same grade and she's the better student. I can't imagine that doing much good for his self-esteem.

Thank you. I appreciate the reply and I agree with you.

[Anonymous]

I have a mid september birthday daughter. I have tried to observe her around other children. I have noticed that she has no issues keeping up with June toddlers (the older June) and can not imagine her being classmates with the August toddlers I know (the 11 months younger August). I really do not understand the difference between a August birthday and a September birthday. I realize that there has to be some cut -off, but I just can't imagine if my daughter does get pushed ahead it would make so much of a difference. If anything because she is tall and on the high percentage side it might hurt her more to be with smaller and younger kids.

[Anonymous]

I don't believe there is an issue with the September birthday children keeping up with 1-month previous August birthday children. It is the keeping up with the 13-months previous August birthday children that might be an issue, though (just like you can't imagine her going to school with the 11 months younger Augusts ...)

Nor do I personally think that height really matters. Some kids are short. Some are tall. We manage.

[Anonymous]

Fine motor skills were the main reason we held our DC back (late summer birthday). In our child's school, the Kindergarten curriculum requires them to be able to write fairly well. Our child was not the oldest in the class, but one of the older ones. If you looked at the artwork on the wall, you could see that our child's was about average in the class. Despite being able to read and spell words (verbally), our DC struggled with writing them. Waiting the extra year allowed our child to catch up in that area.

Of course, you can always send your child along to K and then sign up for OT a couple of times a week to catch him up, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fine motor skills were the main reason we held our DC back (late summer birthday). In our child's school, the Kindergarten curriculum requires them to be able to write fairly well. Our child was not the oldest in the class, but one of the older ones. If you looked at the artwork on the wall, you could see that our child's was about average in the class. Despite being able to read and spell words (verbally), our DC struggled with writing them. Waiting the extra year allowed our child to catch up in that area.

Of course, you can always send your child along to K and then sign up for OT a couple of times a week to catch him up, too.

OT a few times per week? Yikes! Hope you have great insurance!

[Anonymous]

Op, I'm going to be in your shoes next year. DS is turning 4 on Aug 31st (we live in MoCo) and I have no idea what to do. I keep going back and forth, so thank you for your postings and all the PPs. I still don't know what I'll do but it was great to get the perspective of many.