My son's kindergarten class has several 7 yr olds in it.

[Anonymous]

I can only speak from my experiences and I see kids redshirted because Mom and Dad feel better when their kid is most advanced---physically, socially or academically.

I find the "you worry about your child and I'll worry about mine" argument hollow because when you put a kid 18 months older than mine, it effects my kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak from my experiences and I see kids redshirted because Mom and Dad feel better when their kid is most advanced---physically, socially or academically.

So how do you know what those other parents are thinking?

I find the "you worry about your child and I'll worry about mine" argument hollow because when you put a kid 18 months older than mine, it effects my kid.

Specifically how does it affect your kid?

When (what month) was your child born? A Jan-Feb redshirt is 18 months older only if your child was born in July-Aug. Is that when your child was born? Or are you just arguing about some hypothetical, made-up 18-month spread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak from my experiences and I see kids redshirted because Mom and Dad feel better when their kid is most advanced---physically, socially or academically.

I find the "you worry about your child and I'll worry about mine" argument hollow because when you put a kid 18 months older than mine, it effects my kid.

Well, all of the complaints about redshirting ring hollow when no one can give a concrete factual example of HOW it negatively effects the younger kid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak from my experiences and I see kids redshirted because Mom and Dad feel better when their kid is most advanced---physically, socially or academically.

So how do you know what those other parents are thinking?

I find the "you worry about your child and I'll worry about mine" argument hollow because when you put a kid 18 months older than mine, it effects my kid.

Specifically how does it affect your kid?

When (what month) was your child born? A Jan-Feb redshirt is 18 months older only if your child was born in July-Aug. Is that when your child was born? Or are you just arguing about some hypothetical, made-up 18-month spread?




My son was born in June and there is one boy born January the previous year, another March the previous year and one in April the previous year. There are a couple/few born in June and July previous year. There are at least 2 kids younger than my son born in July so my son is with a kid 17 months older and others close to that.

My son does fine--A's and B's and has friends. The issue is subtle. My son has said things like "John is really smart". John is smart but should be in 5th grade. Can I say it's affected his self image, perhaps, but kids measure themselves against their peer group/classmates and my son thinks he is average. I have no problem if he is average or not but these older kids skew another kid's view of the class. When they were younger, the older kids didn't need naps in K but the younger, like mind did. Teacher said it was hard to balance.

I also see the older kids in my son's class tend to be the leaders (not bullies at all, however). My son is a follower by nature (which is fine) but having such older kids in class makes it harder for him to stretch and test and leadership skills.

Please don't responde that I am jealous that my son is or isnt a leader or is or isnt the smartest. I just think school is hard enough for kids without comparing themselves to a kid 12-18 months older.

[Anonymous]

That's a pity that kids 18 months older than your kid affects your kid to the extent you have concerns about their intellectual and physical performance; as well as their emotional and social behavior. With my kids, it's just the opposite (in the pool or on the soccer pitch as well as in the classroom); they are 1 to 2 years younger than their classmates. I was 2 to 3 years younger than mine from K through professional and graduate school and never gave it a moment's thought. I suspect if I had, I probably would have failed as a collegiate athlete and a professional. Since I don't worry about the age differences my kids don't either and it's never been a crutch or been a topic of conversation at the dinner table. But, I respect your angst over the matter. You have to do what you feel is best for your child and I respect that. My upcoming 5th grader will be at the middle school just for Honors Algebra. If your child were in the class, and one of the elders, perhaps 4 years older than he, this would not bother my child in the least. He's simply not wired to be intimidated by kids bigger, taller or older than he. That said, he's a pretty big and strong fella for his age. But, I do understand some children and their parents are concerned about these differences in age, size and maturity. In these cases, whether you redshirt or redtrouser is immaterial in my worldview and you should feel free to do what's you feel is right and comfortable for your child. I do not know others on this Board worry about redshirting or seeking refuge in a classroom where your child is the top of the chronological-age pack. My children and I have absolutely no issue with this.

You are definitely free to choose settings (in the classroom and the athletic fields) in which your children remain at the top of the age bracket.

As an example, we have kids on our summer swim team who when they age up (e.g., 11,12) and as 11 year-olds; because they were used to being on top in the 10 and under age group, decide to take the year off the team returning as 12 year-olds when they have a better chance at garnishing the ribbons. I can think of 4 families in my son's group that come to mind this summer. They expressed worry over swimming on the slower "B" team. Of course, there are a lot of dinosaurs on the B-team that never see the faster A team so I'm not so sure performance is predicated on age.

But, to each her own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak from my experiences and I see kids redshirted because Mom and Dad feel better when their kid is most advanced---physically, socially or academically.

I find the "you worry about your child and I'll worry about mine" argument hollow because when you put a kid 18 months older than mine, it effects my kid.

Well, all of the complaints about redshirting ring hollow when no one can give a concrete factual example of HOW it negatively effects the younger kid!

Keep you teenager out of my kid's 5th grade class please

[Anonymous]

Keep you teenager out of my kid's 5th grade class please

And if a teenager is placed in your child's 5th grade class what do you plan to do?

[Anonymous]

"Me thinks the lady doth protest too much."

Let's be honest, this trend --- and I emphasize trend --- is the result of school administrators doing what parents want instead of doing their job. We aren't talking about children with summer birthdays or children with "challenges" because there aren't enough of them to make a trend. If you are comfortable with your perfectly lovely and bright child finishing up K as an 8-year-old you can do that right here in our fair city; if you want your child to finish K as a 6-year-old, be aware that there is a good chance that the class will have children mire than a year older than your child.

Personally, I can't imagine my children graduating high school when they are 19 or 20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak from my experiences and I see kids redshirted because Mom and Dad feel better when their kid is most advanced---physically, socially or academically.

I find the "you worry about your child and I'll worry about mine" argument hollow because when you put a kid 18 months older than mine, it effects my kid.

Well, all of the complaints about redshirting ring hollow when no one can give a concrete factual example of HOW it negatively effects the younger kid!

Keep you teenager out of my kid's 5th grade class please

I asked for an example and clearly you cannnot provide one. Also, my DS is the second youngest in his class! So boo to you.

[Anonymous]

You people are still discussing this??? Move on and find something better to occupy your time!

[Anonymous]

"Me thinks the lady doth protest too much."

Let's be honest, this trend --- and I emphasize trend --- is the result of school administrators doing what parents want instead of doing their job. We aren't talking about children with summer birthdays or children with "challenges" because there aren't enough of them to make a trend. If you are comfortable with your perfectly lovely and bright child finishing up K as an 8-year-old you can do that right here in our fair city; if you want your child to finish K as a 6-year-old, be aware that there is a good chance that the class will have children mire than a year older than your child.

Personally, I can't imagine my children graduating high school when they are 19 or 20.

I agree that graduating high school at 19 or 20 fifty years ago would sound bizarre given a life expectancy of 60 or so years but with the life expectancy now stretching to 80 it would not surprise me that kids graduate from high school at 19 or 20 or begin college at 19 or 20. Take a look at the exponential numbers of students delaying entry into your beloved Ivy league schools (even encouraged to defer admissions). It's more important to get education right than rush to the "finish line" ill-prepared for graduate education or the real world.

[Anonymous]

You people are still discussing this??? Move on and find something better to occupy your time!

It was discussed last year and will continue to be discussed next year and the year after. You on the other hand can run along back to the porn section of the DCUMMIE board where no one will ever accuse you of finding something better to occupy your time.

Cheerio and good riddance!

[Anonymous]

I agree that graduating high school at 19 or 20 fifty years ago would sound bizarre given a life expectancy of 60 or so years but with the life expectancy now stretching to 80 it would not surprise me that kids graduate from high school at 19 or 20 or begin college at 19 or 20. Take a look at the exponential numbers of students delaying entry into your beloved Ivy league schools (even encouraged to defer admissions). It's more important to get education right than rush to the "finish line" ill-prepared for graduate education or the real world.

Extra, extra, read all about it: The IVY LEAGUE endorses redshirting

[Anonymous]

When everyone is special, no one is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can only speak from my experiences and I see kids redshirted because Mom and Dad feel better when their kid is most advanced---physically, socially or academically.

I find the "you worry about your child and I'll worry about mine" argument hollow because when you put a kid 18 months older than mine, it effects my kid.

How much does a kid grow physically in one year?
I do not like your statement at all.
for what it is worth, I was one of the oldest in my class, but the last to get periods and flat chested. Now looking back I think the school should have done something about the 11 year old that grew breasts so early. Even the boys called her BB for 'big breasts'. This is really unfair to those of us that are less endowed.
I also was not the first to get acne