I’m starting my late July birthday child (boy) in kindergarten on time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the PP who was the youngest by more than what people are freaking out about here. Let me clarify the math. I am a late Dec. birthday and started in a school with a Dec. 31st cutoff. A few years later we moved to a school that had a soft June 1 cutoff. So I was typically at least six months younger than my classmates and often more. Private school K-12.

I’m going to stop posting now, though, because it’s clear to me the anti-redshirters have no interest in actually hearing anything other than “you are 100% right all the time.” So here you go: you are 100% right all the time. Good luck to you. I think you are going to really need it over the years.

I don't even really think there's a "right or a wrong" but I would think most people could agree that a 16-18 mo gap in the same grade is kind of a lot and certainly not the intent/norm from when most of us parents were growing up.

Parents did the same thing when we were growing up, especially those who expected their kids to get scholarships. I'd rather save the money from an extra year of preschool/child care and use that money for college.

Agreed on the money.

However, growing up (I'm 40) the only kids I knew that were held back were August babies. I think I knew one late July baby held back. Definitely no spring babies. Redshirting has always existed, sure, but not to the extent that it is now. If anything, I knew more stories of parents trying to get their fall kid enrolled early (myself included). But public school wouldn't allow it. The thought process definitely seems to have changed. I also live in the same area that I grew up in, so it's not like it's a regional thing.

For me it has been the opposite. I noticed growing up.. I was an October kid. Same with my brother. We were young kindergarteners. And, in my ES, MS, HS grad class, I knew a ton of October-December birthdays (meaning born the same year as me).

Now, my May kid being red-shirted still might be younger than some classmates. If I sent him to K this coming fall, he could be not only behind (as suggested by his teacher), he could be a year younger than some.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the PP who was the youngest by more than what people are freaking out about here. Let me clarify the math. I am a late Dec. birthday and started in a school with a Dec. 31st cutoff. A few years later we moved to a school that had a soft June 1 cutoff. So I was typically at least six months younger than my classmates and often more. Private school K-12.

I’m going to stop posting now, though, because it’s clear to me the anti-redshirters have no interest in actually hearing anything other than “you are 100% right all the time.” So here you go: you are 100% right all the time. Good luck to you. I think you are going to really need it over the years.

I don't even really think there's a "right or a wrong" but I would think most people could agree that a 16-18 mo gap in the same grade is kind of a lot and certainly not the intent/norm from when most of us parents were growing up.

Parents did the same thing when we were growing up, especially those who expected their kids to get scholarships. I'd rather save the money from an extra year of preschool/child care and use that money for college.

Agreed on the money.

However, growing up (I'm 40) the only kids I knew that were held back were August babies. I think I knew one late July baby held back. Definitely no spring babies. Redshirting has always existed, sure, but not to the extent that it is now. If anything, I knew more stories of parents trying to get their fall kid enrolled early (myself included). But public school wouldn't allow it. The thought process definitely seems to have changed. I also live in the same area that I grew up in, so it's not like it's a regional thing.

For me it has been the opposite. I noticed growing up.. I was an October kid. Same with my brother. We were young kindergarteners. And, in my ES, MS, HS grad class, I knew a ton of October-December birthdays (meaning born the same year as me).

Now, my May kid being red-shirted still might be younger than some classmates. If I sent him to K this coming fall, he could be not only behind (as suggested by his teacher), he could be a year younger than some.

You are part of the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All states should do what New York did and ban it. That would solve this whole ridiculous problem.

+1

What problem? That some people don't like it doesn't make it a huge issue demanding action. Where exactly is this a problem? I've known a few kids who could potentially be 18 mos older in some of my kid's classes but I fail to see the glaring problem. It's not holding my kids back or hurting them in anyway so why should I or anyone care? Instead of anecdotes cite a source that this is a ridiculous issue that needs immediate action and why.

If you don’t see a glaring problem with having small children in the same class as children 18 months older, then I cannot help you. It’s so ridiculous and why the hell do you think kids are grouped by age? Should we just let any child attend whatever grade they want at any age? Such stupidity.

[Anonymous]

This would only work in populated areas:
-enrollment / school year start in September and a cohort starting in February (or Jan, basically mid-year)
-cohorts of students at the same levels AND ages. Maybe a requirement that all students youngest to oldest fall within 365 days. *If you have enough students, you could do a class with students within 300 days.

The geography of it, or consistency, would be sacrificed here. May be a good trade off if you have an entire class at roughly the same level.

Half-baked idea but I can’t help but think this would solve so many issues at all grade levels. Age vs. academic ability issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess I am a May redshirt.
3rd kid, first time I have done it.

However, he was suggested as not kinder ready but his Prek teacher (one of two in the class). He academically fine. He’s socially not doing great with listening and being as independent. Has improved over the year, but still not showing nearly as much readiness.

Well do a PreK class again; it’s meant for re-takers, and won’t be the exact same.

He is short and always will be, based on genes. So he’s not going to stick out. I am a little worried the academic stuff will be boring eventually, but they push kindergartners! So, he’ll be able to keep up.

Ridiculous. This is nearly all kids if that age. Get a grip lady.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the PP who was the youngest by more than what people are freaking out about here. Let me clarify the math. I am a late Dec. birthday and started in a school with a Dec. 31st cutoff. A few years later we moved to a school that had a soft June 1 cutoff. So I was typically at least six months younger than my classmates and often more. Private school K-12.

I’m going to stop posting now, though, because it’s clear to me the anti-redshirters have no interest in actually hearing anything other than “you are 100% right all the time.” So here you go: you are 100% right all the time. Good luck to you. I think you are going to really need it over the years.

I don't even really think there's a "right or a wrong" but I would think most people could agree that a 16-18 mo gap in the same grade is kind of a lot and certainly not the intent/norm from when most of us parents were growing up.

Parents did the same thing when we were growing up, especially those who expected their kids to get scholarships. I'd rather save the money from an extra year of preschool/child care and use that money for college.

Agreed on the money.

However, growing up (I'm 40) the only kids I knew that were held back were August babies. I think I knew one late July baby held back. Definitely no spring babies. Redshirting has always existed, sure, but not to the extent that it is now. If anything, I knew more stories of parents trying to get their fall kid enrolled early (myself included). But public school wouldn't allow it. The thought process definitely seems to have changed. I also live in the same area that I grew up in, so it's not like it's a regional thing.

For me it has been the opposite. I noticed growing up.. I was an October kid. Same with my brother. We were young kindergarteners. And, in my ES, MS, HS grad class, I knew a ton of October-December birthdays (meaning born the same year as me).

Now, my May kid being red-shirted still might be younger than some classmates. If I sent him to K this coming fall, he could be not only behind (as suggested by his teacher), he could be a year younger than some.

You are part of the problem.

Thanks. Literally done in consult with the preschool and his teacher and my spouse, and with his interest in mind.

Legal in my state. If people are worried they should change it. If he can skip ahead later, we will do so. He is really really not ready for full day now.

Side question: how much do
—raised expectations for Kinders
—and the evolution from half-day K to full-day K
affect the trend.

I would send him if it were half-day and if it were the Kinder I had in the late 80s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess I am a May redshirt.
3rd kid, first time I have done it.

However, he was suggested as not kinder ready but his Prek teacher (one of two in the class). He academically fine. He’s socially not doing great with listening and being as independent. Has improved over the year, but still not showing nearly as much readiness.

Well do a PreK class again; it’s meant for re-takers, and won’t be the exact same.

He is short and always will be, based on genes. So he’s not going to stick out. I am a little worried the academic stuff will be boring eventually, but they push kindergartners! So, he’ll be able to keep up.

Ridiculous. This is nearly all kids if that age. Get a grip lady.

He stands out as not ready. All class pictures, he’s in the back not participating as much. He’s slowly gotten better. He will always be behind. Come to think of it, maybe some of these parents red-shirted already at the K level. I don’t know their bdays, but they are big and seem like K’ers already.

[Anonymous]

*^ at the PreK level

[Anonymous]

Let’s talk about this:
Side question: how much do
—raised expectations for Kinders
—and the evolution from half-day K to full-day K
affect the trend?

[Anonymous]

Good job! congratulations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All states should do what New York did and ban it. That would solve this whole ridiculous problem.

+1

What problem? That some people don't like it doesn't make it a huge issue demanding action. Where exactly is this a problem? I've known a few kids who could potentially be 18 mos older in some of my kid's classes but I fail to see the glaring problem. It's not holding my kids back or hurting them in anyway so why should I or anyone care? Instead of anecdotes cite a source that this is a ridiculous issue that needs immediate action and why.

If you don’t see a glaring problem with having small children in the same class as children 18 months older, then I cannot help you. It’s so ridiculous and why the hell do you think kids are grouped by age? Should we just let any child attend whatever grade they want at any age? Such stupidity.

What is the problem? That you just don't like it? Make the case other than the childish "it's stupid".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All states should do what New York did and ban it. That would solve this whole ridiculous problem.

+1

What problem? That some people don't like it doesn't make it a huge issue demanding action. Where exactly is this a problem? I've known a few kids who could potentially be 18 mos older in some of my kid's classes but I fail to see the glaring problem. It's not holding my kids back or hurting them in anyway so why should I or anyone care? Instead of anecdotes cite a source that this is a ridiculous issue that needs immediate action and why.

If you don’t see a glaring problem with having small children in the same class as children 18 months older, then I cannot help you. It’s so ridiculous and why the hell do you think kids are grouped by age? Should we just let any child attend whatever grade they want at any age? Such stupidity.

What is the problem? That you just don't like it? Make the case other than the childish "it's stupid".

What’s the point of having grades at all then? Barring a learning disability or special needs, it is hard to justify holding your kid out of their peer group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let’s talk about this:
Side question: how much do
—raised expectations for Kinders
—and the evolution from half-day K to full-day K
affect the trend?

My barely 5 year old had zero issues with either. That being said, she went to full day preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All states should do what New York did and ban it. That would solve this whole ridiculous problem.

+1

What problem? That some people don't like it doesn't make it a huge issue demanding action. Where exactly is this a problem? I've known a few kids who could potentially be 18 mos older in some of my kid's classes but I fail to see the glaring problem. It's not holding my kids back or hurting them in anyway so why should I or anyone care? Instead of anecdotes cite a source that this is a ridiculous issue that needs immediate action and why.

If you don’t see a glaring problem with having small children in the same class as children 18 months older, then I cannot help you. It’s so ridiculous and why the hell do you think kids are grouped by age? Should we just let any child attend whatever grade they want at any age? Such stupidity.

What is the problem? That you just don't like it? Make the case other than the childish "it's stupid".

What’s the point of having grades at all then? Barring a learning disability or special needs, it is hard to justify holding your kid out of their peer group.

What is the point? Seems we're moving in that direction anyway. Still waiting to hear what the big problem is.

[Anonymous]

This is an interesting conversation to me because I'm expecting a boy this June, and granted I haven't met my baby yet, let alone know what he'll be like developmentally as a child, but it wouldn't occur to me to *not* have not have him start Kindergarten at age 5, unless he were substantially behind in preschool. I live in MD, so K is the first year we'll not have to pay for childcare, and I will certainly be ready to take advantage of that. And aside from that, I just don't want to delay him from growing up, being with his peers, etc., again of course assuming he's within normal range for developmental milestones.