What to do with extra year before K redshirting: Silver Spring edition

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Wow, I had no idea people would be so mean in response to a pretty straightforward question. Guess I shouldn't underestimate the cattiness of anonymous parents on the internet. Tearing down strangers asking for help on the internet seems an odd pastime, but do whatever makes you happy, I guess.

Semantics aside, he is getting almost a full extra year before starting K, despite the fact that he will be pretty close to ready next September. So, I am just trying to make the best of that extra year.

His daycare director told us she believes he would thrive in a more challenging environment with older kids, and that their curriculum is not meant for kids to essentially repeat. He has been in this same pre-K class since before he was 4, so he would end up spending 2+ years in the same classroom with the same curriculum (and yes, with naps, which he won't need) and with much younger kids. If the person with a master's in early childhood education wants to turn away our money because she believes our kid will be under-stimulated at her school, I am inclined to take her word for it. I don't just "think he's too smart for his current school." Good lord.

Thanks for those of you who have actually taken the time to answer the question!

I'm not the PPs. While I agree that a couple of the previous posts were unpleasant and not worth anyone's time, the others were trying to clarify your question; your original heading was confusing. "Redshirt" is a pretty loaded term so it's worth learning what it means and using it correctly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

His daycare director told us she believes he would thrive in a more challenging environment with older kids, and that their curriculum is not meant for kids to essentially repeat. He has been in this same pre-K class since before he was 4, so he would end up spending 2+ years in the same classroom with the same curriculum (and yes, with naps, which he won't need) and with much younger kids. If the person with a master's in early childhood education wants to turn away our money because she believes our kid will be under-stimulated at her school, I am inclined to take her word for it.

This is why academic based preschools are frustrating. Again, contact Takoma Children's School. Several children join the classroom every year from outside, all make friends,and their plsy based, Reggio philosophy means it will not be a repeat of last year. But... It won't be with all older kids, because he'll always be the oldest in his class going from kindergarten forward.. But still, there will be plenty of kids born in the fall.

[Anonymous]

I have a boy who was born in Sept. We pushed him ahead because he was so smart and was so ready, but then we ended up (by accident of a move to a school system with stricter rules) having him repeat 3rd grade. This was the best thing that could have happened to him. He was immature for grade 4, but was very mature for 3rd. He ended up taking a leadership position in the class and given that he had to learn 2 new languages and was going from Montessori to an IB curriculum, he wasn't bored at all.

I say don't sweat having your child be the oldest. Get them into a Montessori or other program that lets them stretch as far as they can.

[Anonymous]

Both our previous daycare and current preschools have a class just for these kids who miss the cutoff. It’s one of the reasons we chose our preschool since my younger child has a November birthday. Perhaps you can find something similar.

[Anonymous]

I'd second the recommendation to look at Goddard for the 4s year. Takoma Children's School is another good choice. Any of the Emilio Reggio schools, including Childrens Village on Sligo.

If you want to do something a little different, maybe the Nature Preschool at the Audobon Society? If he is already academically on track, a year in the forest might be a great choice to shake things up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a boy who was born in Sept. We pushed him ahead because he was so smart and was so ready, but then we ended up (by accident of a move to a school system with stricter rules) having him repeat 3rd grade. This was the best thing that could have happened to him. He was immature for grade 4, but was very mature for 3rd. He ended up taking a leadership position in the class and given that he had to learn 2 new languages and was going from Montessori to an IB curriculum, he wasn't bored at all.

I say don't sweat having your child be the oldest. Get them into a Montessori or other program that lets them stretch as far as they can.

OP isn' looking to send her child but we are having the opposite experience. Held back fall child and it was a huge mistake having him the oldest. I couldn't care less that he is a leader. He needed the stronger academics and socially does better the youngest as then he has to work harder which works better for him. He is testing 1-2 years ahead academically despite being the youngest in the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

His daycare director told us she believes he would thrive in a more challenging environment with older kids, and that their curriculum is not meant for kids to essentially repeat. He has been in this same pre-K class since before he was 4, so he would end up spending 2+ years in the same classroom with the same curriculum (and yes, with naps, which he won't need) and with much younger kids. If the person with a master's in early childhood education wants to turn away our money because she believes our kid will be under-stimulated at her school, I am inclined to take her word for it.

This is why academic based preschools are frustrating. Again, contact Takoma Children's School. Several children join the classroom every year from outside, all make friends,and their plsy based, Reggio philosophy means it will not be a repeat of last year. But... It won't be with all older kids, because he'll always be the oldest in his class going from kindergarten forward.. But still, there will be plenty of kids born in the fall.

Ours thrived in an academic based preschool and they had all the kids prepared for K. All the kids were successful.

[Anonymous]

I have a mid-October baby but I'm in Virginia so can't help you with specific schools but search for transitional or junior kindergarten programs. Many late fall birthdays are well represented in those programs.

[Anonymous]

My son was in the same boat and did great at the YMCA Silver Spring. They have a young 4s and older 4s/5s class and the program was great and very affordable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I am saying exactly the opposite. I am NOT going to try to have him go to kindergarten early. I am looking for a good pre-K program. The curriculum at his daycare really is only designed for kids up to 5, and he is going to be 5 almost the entire school year, so I need something that will work for an older pre-K kid. Sorry if that wasn't clear!

Then you’re not redshirting. Following the cutoff dates is sending your kid to K when he’s supposed to go!

This.
In your case redshirting him would mean he would start school as a 6 year old and turn 7 pretty early in school year. (Bad idea)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Wow, I had no idea people would be so mean in response to a pretty straightforward question. Guess I shouldn't underestimate the cattiness of anonymous parents on the internet. Tearing down strangers asking for help on the internet seems an odd pastime, but do whatever makes you happy, I guess.

Semantics aside, he is getting almost a full extra year before starting K, despite the fact that he will be pretty close to ready next September. So, I am just trying to make the best of that extra year.

His daycare director told us she believes he would thrive in a more challenging environment with older kids, and that their curriculum is not meant for kids to essentially repeat. He has been in this same pre-K class since before he was 4, so he would end up spending 2+ years in the same classroom with the same curriculum (and yes, with naps, which he won't need) and with much younger kids. If the person with a master's in early childhood education wants to turn away our money because she believes our kid will be under-stimulated at her school, I am inclined to take her word for it. I don't just "think he's too smart for his current school." Good lord.

Thanks for those of you who have actually taken the time to answer the question!

I am surprised that is your director's take, but I guess I agree you are better off following her advice.

My DS has basically the same bday and will wind up spending close to two years in the same class. But this happens every year at our daycare/preschool. Every year there are kids who just miss the cutoff so they are use to dealing with it. The curriculum really isn't the same as it is more play based and based on following the things that interests the kids. (I can't recall the buzzwords that describe this.) The older kids take on an informal leadership role, such as taking the lead on the class holiday plays and things like that. I spoke to the parents of last year's older kids and they all felt that the teachers were able to differentiate the needs of the older and younger kids and to provide what was needed for their children to still continue learning and all felt that they were well prepared for K.

Come next year, your DC is going to be nearly a year older than the youngest kids in the class. That is just a fact of life.

[Anonymous]

From your later post, I understand why you want to move to a different preschool for this last year. I think he would do well in almost any other school you choose. I don't think you need to think of it as "red-shirting," though.

Takoma Children's School in Takoma DC (near the Metro) is awesome but really hard to get into. It's worth looking into. There is a new Montessori school in Takoma Park called Takoma Montessori. I don't know much about it, but Montessori might be a good option for him because it's pretty self-directed (although he would likely be the oldest in a multi-age class that is from 2-6). I don't know what the curriculum is like, but everyone who goes there loves Takoma Park Child Development Center. I don't know Silver Spring as well so can't make recs for there.

[Anonymous]

If you're considering Montessori add Evergreen in Silver Spring to your list. DD is about to turn 6 and thriving in primary program there.