Entering Kindergarten at 6

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should have a rule about it. Unless there is a documented reason by a school or doctor, there should be no red shirting.

What’s it to you?

Jerk.

What's it to me? People who red shirt for no specific documented reason put the other, age appropriate kids in that class at a disadvantage throughout schooling.

Another “what’s it to me” observation. As a taxpayer I also have an interest when a family wants to use an additional year of costly public school services by trying to orchestrate red shirting. So you can disagree with my disagreeing, but don’t act as others don’t have an interest in what OP is trying to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do some of you reconcile red shirting but then also taking advantage of the free prek3 and 4. They are either ready for all day school or not.

I am the pp poster above who regrets not redshirting. I didn't send my child to all day PK3. We chose a 1/2 day 3-day a week private program. We did send him to an all day PK4, but it was a play-based program. Wish now I would have kept him in it another year. How different the last three years would have been! And not just for my kid - for yours too. He has been rather disruptive in class. You non-redshirting parents, do you really want immature, disruptive summer birthday boys in your kids' classrooms?! My kid takes up A LOT of the teacher's time and attention both in term of behavior and academics.

But he was three years more mature and still being disruptive, so may be you are focusing on the wrong thing as a cause.

Maybe you should MYOB, because these kids are very complicated and it's not always clear what the right thing is, and parents do what they can to help, which may include redshirting.

Or, you can just go on bashing parents with struggling kids.

NP. I don't think that the PP was bashing parents with struggling kids at all. I actually feel that it's the opposite. I think she's saying that it sounds like there was an underlying reason for the disruptive behavior that doesn't have to do with "well you let your preschooler run wild and didn't parent him properly and that's why they weren't ready for school but in a year he'll hopefully settle down and it will be fine to start then". If after several years of formal schooling the child is still having behavioral or learning issues then I don't think people can claim that delaying school until they're physically older and bigger would help much. It's more of a case of "there's something else going on here, like maybe a medical issue, whether that's a simple thing like food allergies making them more hyperactive or something more serious, that isn't going to magically fix itself".

To the PP who regrets not redshirting, have you considered holding your child back now? Do you think it would make him less disruptive if the work is a bit easier and the expectations are a bit lower? If you think that, then maybe you should talk to the teachers and see whether they think the same. Maybe the teachers don't think you'd be open to it. Some kids do get held back when they're struggling academically, and if you really think it the lower grade would solve a lot of the issues then it's better to make a correction in third grade than to never do it and struggle all the way to grade 12.

PP here. I've stayed out of the ensuing discussion, but yes, we are talking to teachers about holding him back and about how to do so without making him feel like a failure. This is my biggest worry now. They do think that 1. his behavior is much more developmentally appropriate for a 1st grader than a 2nd grader and 2) some of his goofing off in class is because he can't do the work. In 1st grade he was reading at the K level and in second grade he is reading at a 1st grade level, so he is making progress. Had we redshirted, I imagine he would have always been on track and we'd not now be faced with how to get him in the appropriate grade without damaging his self esteem and having him label himself as not good at school.

If you seriously think that he's getting all the support he needs and that everything would be basically resolved in the lower grade, you should switch him ASAP. There's a chance he'll get over it now and maybe even forget about it, but he's not going to get over it and he's certainly going to know that he's not good at school (and it would be true) if you keep him where he is. You could work on some outside activities (e.g. martial arts) to build up self esteem in the meantime.

Or, get him a reading tutor for the summer and heavily supplement to help him catch up.

Yes, I would do this first, but I had assumed the PP had already tried that before considering keeping the child back. Some kids simply need more instruction, and for things to be explained differently. Many homeschool for this reason, but heavy supplementing would also work if the parents are up for it (and can do it in a way where the kid isn't too exhausted).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should have a rule about it. Unless there is a documented reason by a school or doctor, there should be no red shirting.

What’s it to you?

Jerk.

What's it to me? People who red shirt for no specific documented reason put the other, age appropriate kids in that class at a disadvantage throughout schooling.

Another “what’s it to me” observation. As a taxpayer I also have an interest when a family wants to use an additional year of costly public school services by trying to orchestrate red shirting. So you can disagree with my disagreeing, but don’t act as others don’t have an interest in what OP is trying to do.

In my case we are in private preschool so it won’t be on your tax dollar don’t worry... I hope your child won’t need anything extra and “waste” my tax dollars

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I’m happy that my child went on time even though she’s young, and would never have this discussion in public. I do feel sorry for the giant kids who look like second graders but are still in kindergarten, and it does make me question the parents’ judgment and values

I wish people would stop calling children "giants" and assuming they're older than the other kids. My child has a birthday that is shortly before the cutoff and went on time, so is actually the youngest in the class almost every year. He is also the tallest in the class almost every year. He is a skinny beanpole and doesn't need anyone calling him a giant.

He is also very athletic and is one of the fastest mile runners in the grade. I'm sure if you saw him you would assume that he was redshirted, but in reality, he is one of the youngest.

So, tallest and athletic doesn't always equate to oldest. And please don't use the word "giant" around your kids- it would be very hurtful if they slipped and used that word in class to describe another child who just happens to be tall.

Yes, that poster is obviously a jerk. Who calls other kids giants? I wonder if she would get upset if someone called her kid tiny or small or I can think of much worse names...my DD is tall for her age and 2 days past the cut off. As of now, she is always the tallest in the class and roller than most/all boys. What are you teaching your child?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where did I say I was HAPPY?

So why did you make such a bad decision for your child? Does this make you a better mother than me (I don’t think so)

Of course it doesn't make her a better mother, but it does make her a better member of society.

I am actually really grateful that DC has public PK3 and PK4 because I think for many of us who have kids with August and September birthdays, it's a pretty low-risk way to start them on time and see how they do. If they are clearly unready or struggling or show that they need additional learning supports, 1) public school is an excellent place to get them and 2) the school and parents can decide that retention is a good option at K or 1st. I actually think that is a MUCH better outcome than redshirting, for both the kid in question and their peers of all ages.

So in order to be a supposedly better member of society (because I can think of many scenarios where the opposite is true) she decided to do a disservice to her child. Well I am happy to have done the opposite. I would never do something that’s i think will be worse for my DD to do right by other kids. My DD is happier among kids that are younger or same age. Why would I put her in a class where she would be the youngest? She told me she wants to be the oldest, why should I do differently? So I can be a “better” member of society? I am not braking any laws

Is this real?? If so, seems unwise and entitled to raise your child by catering to her whims in this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They should have a rule about it. Unless there is a documented reason by a school or doctor, there should be no red shirting.

What’s it to you?

Jerk.

What's it to me? People who red shirt for no specific documented reason put the other, age appropriate kids in that class at a disadvantage throughout schooling.

Another “what’s it to me” observation. As a taxpayer I also have an interest when a family wants to use an additional year of costly public school services by trying to orchestrate red shirting. So you can disagree with my disagreeing, but don’t act as others don’t have an interest in what OP is trying to do.

You are totally nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The situation is very simple. I am sure there are pros and cons of redshirting. The parents that redshirt think the pros outweigh the costs for their children.
People bashing the redshirting parents are jealous and regret their own decision to not redshirt. The ones that are happy with the decision to send their child ontime could not care less if there are kids that are 12 or 14 months older than their kids.
Stop being jealous, stop trying to make other people feel bad when they are trying to what’s best for their children, just stop. Own your own decision and be happy with YOUR situation.

I’m happy that my child went on time even though she’s young, and would never have this discussion in public. I do feel sorry for the giant kids who look like second graders but are still in kindergarten, and it does make me question the parents’ judgment and values.

Those giant kids’ are actually zombies sent to infiltrate the school to eat your kids’ brains are replace them with alien brains, lady!
Don’t be afraid to realize the conspiracy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where did I say I was HAPPY?

So why did you make such a bad decision for your child? Does this make you a better mother than me (I don’t think so)

Of course it doesn't make her a better mother, but it does make her a better member of society.

I am actually really grateful that DC has public PK3 and PK4 because I think for many of us who have kids with August and September birthdays, it's a pretty low-risk way to start them on time and see how they do. If they are clearly unready or struggling or show that they need additional learning supports, 1) public school is an excellent place to get them and 2) the school and parents can decide that retention is a good option at K or 1st. I actually think that is a MUCH better outcome than redshirting, for both the kid in question and their peers of all ages.

So in order to be a supposedly better member of society (because I can think of many scenarios where the opposite is true) she decided to do a disservice to her child. Well I am happy to have done the opposite. I would never do something that’s i think will be worse for my DD to do right by other kids. My DD is happier among kids that are younger or same age. Why would I put her in a class where she would be the youngest? She told me she wants to be the oldest, why should I do differently? So I can be a “better” member of society? I am not braking any laws

Is this real?? If so, seems unwise and entitled to raise your child by catering to her whims in this way.

Very real trust me. I asked her whether she prefers to be the oldest or the youngest (at different point in the years she has been both) and she said without hesitation that she would much rather be the oldest because older kids don’t play with her. That is of course what I had seen too. She is happier and has much more self confidence around same age or younger kids so that is what we did. If she is bored academically (though I doubt that will be the case) we will reevaluate and maybe increase he extra curricular activities. I prefer to be in a place where is is comfortable than a place where she is challenged academically. I don’t need her to be a genius, but I need her to be confident and at ease where ever she is. She is very well behaved so she won’t create problems for the younger kids. Also, as I mentioned to another poster, she is in private preschool so she is not “wasting” anybody’s tax dollars.

[Anonymous]

To the PPs that say that older kids are disruptive, I have witnessed the complete opposite. The younger kids in my DS’s class where taking ALL the attention of the teachers because were not behaving. As a result, my kid got very little to no attention in school

[Anonymous]

Wow. My kid started kindergarten at four (August birthday) and was bored. You want your six year old in a class of much younger kids?

[Anonymous]

I have two summer birthday boys. The boy with the latest birthday barely missed the cut off to be in a younger grade. Yet, he is several grades ahead academically and has been since he was four years old. Other child with mid summer birthday is also ahead academically (one grade level). No brainer to keep them where they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’m happy that my child went on time even though she’s young, and would never have this discussion in public. I do feel sorry for the giant kids who look like second graders but are still in kindergarten, and it does make me question the parents’ judgment and values

I wish people would stop calling children "giants" and assuming they're older than the other kids. My child has a birthday that is shortly before the cutoff and went on time, so is actually the youngest in the class almost every year. He is also the tallest in the class almost every year. He is a skinny beanpole and doesn't need anyone calling him a giant.

He is also very athletic and is one of the fastest mile runners in the grade. I'm sure if you saw him you would assume that he was redshirted, but in reality, he is one of the youngest.

So, tallest and athletic doesn't always equate to oldest. And please don't use the word "giant" around your kids- it would be very hurtful if they slipped and used that word in class to describe another child who just happens to be tall.

Yes, that poster is obviously a jerk. Who calls other kids giants? I wonder if she would get upset if someone called her kid tiny or small or I can think of much worse names...my DD is tall for her age and 2 days past the cut off. As of now, she is always the tallest in the class and roller than most/all boys. What are you teaching your child?

I'm the mean PP and my daughter was one of the youngest in her classes and is also really tall. If your child isn't an almost seven-year-old who's still in kindergarten for no other reason than his parents wanted him to be the biggest, I'm not talking about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’m happy that my child went on time even though she’s young, and would never have this discussion in public. I do feel sorry for the giant kids who look like second graders but are still in kindergarten, and it does make me question the parents’ judgment and values

I wish people would stop calling children "giants" and assuming they're older than the other kids. My child has a birthday that is shortly before the cutoff and went on time, so is actually the youngest in the class almost every year. He is also the tallest in the class almost every year. He is a skinny beanpole and doesn't need anyone calling him a giant.

He is also very athletic and is one of the fastest mile runners in the grade. I'm sure if you saw him you would assume that he was redshirted, but in reality, he is one of the youngest.

So, tallest and athletic doesn't always equate to oldest. And please don't use the word "giant" around your kids- it would be very hurtful if they slipped and used that word in class to describe another child who just happens to be tall.

Yes, that poster is obviously a jerk. Who calls other kids giants? I wonder if she would get upset if someone called her kid tiny or small or I can think of much worse names...my DD is tall for her age and 2 days past the cut off. As of now, she is always the tallest in the class and roller than most/all boys. What are you teaching your child?

I'm the mean PP and my daughter was one of the youngest in her classes and is also really tall. If your child isn't an almost seven-year-old who's still in kindergarten for no other reason than his parents wanted him to be the biggest, I'm not talking about you.

I GUARANTEE you that in DCPS at least, there are very few if not zero kids that fit that description. Nobody is holding back their boys just so they can be the biggest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’m happy that my child went on time even though she’s young, and would never have this discussion in public. I do feel sorry for the giant kids who look like second graders but are still in kindergarten, and it does make me question the parents’ judgment and values

I wish people would stop calling children "giants" and assuming they're older than the other kids. My child has a birthday that is shortly before the cutoff and went on time, so is actually the youngest in the class almost every year. He is also the tallest in the class almost every year. He is a skinny beanpole and doesn't need anyone calling him a giant.

He is also very athletic and is one of the fastest mile runners in the grade. I'm sure if you saw him you would assume that he was redshirted, but in reality, he is one of the youngest.

So, tallest and athletic doesn't always equate to oldest. And please don't use the word "giant" around your kids- it would be very hurtful if they slipped and used that word in class to describe another child who just happens to be tall.

Yes, that poster is obviously a jerk. Who calls other kids giants? I wonder if she would get upset if someone called her kid tiny or small or I can think of much worse names...my DD is tall for her age and 2 days past the cut off. As of now, she is always the tallest in the class and roller than most/all boys. What are you teaching your child?

I'm the mean PP and my daughter was one of the youngest in her classes and is also really tall. If your child isn't an almost seven-year-old who's still in kindergarten for no other reason than his parents wanted him to be the biggest, I'm not talking about you.

I GUARANTEE you that in DCPS at least, there are very few if not zero kids that fit that description. Nobody is holding back their boys just so they can be the biggest.

Not literally, but there are a lot of parents holding their summer, or even spring, boys back with no medical reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I’m happy that my child went on time even though she’s young, and would never have this discussion in public. I do feel sorry for the giant kids who look like second graders but are still in kindergarten, and it does make me question the parents’ judgment and values

I wish people would stop calling children "giants" and assuming they're older than the other kids. My child has a birthday that is shortly before the cutoff and went on time, so is actually the youngest in the class almost every year. He is also the tallest in the class almost every year. He is a skinny beanpole and doesn't need anyone calling him a giant.

He is also very athletic and is one of the fastest mile runners in the grade. I'm sure if you saw him you would assume that he was redshirted, but in reality, he is one of the youngest.

So, tallest and athletic doesn't always equate to oldest. And please don't use the word "giant" around your kids- it would be very hurtful if they slipped and used that word in class to describe another child who just happens to be tall.

Yes, that poster is obviously a jerk. Who calls other kids giants? I wonder if she would get upset if someone called her kid tiny or small or I can think of much worse names...my DD is tall for her age and 2 days past the cut off. As of now, she is always the tallest in the class and roller than most/all boys. What are you teaching your child?

I'm the mean PP and my daughter was one of the youngest in her classes and is also really tall. If your child isn't an almost seven-year-old who's still in kindergarten for no other reason than his parents wanted him to be the biggest, I'm not talking about you.

I GUARANTEE you that in DCPS at least, there are very few if not zero kids that fit that description. Nobody is holding back their boys just so they can be the biggest.

Not literally, but there are a lot of parents holding their summer, or even spring, boys back with no medical reason.

It’ does not have to be medical. On my case my child has some social issues due to immaturity and sensitivity. She is tall so I have no interest in holding her back so she can be the tallest child in the class (who does that?)