This age discrepancy due to "redshirting" is ridiculous

[Anonymous]

What's not fair is sending a 4 yr old to full day kindergarten

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What's not fair is sending a 4 yr old to full day kindergarten

+1000

My DD will be four when she starts next week - for a month. She's basically five, which is no different than a child that turned five last month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What's not fair is sending a 4 yr old to full day kindergarten

+1000

My DD will be four when she starts next week - for a month. She's basically five, which is no different than a child that turned five last month.

You're right, they are essentially the same age, but to many a just-turned-five-year-old seems young to be going to school for a full day. That used to be something that happened in first grade, so you can see why the parents of some August and September birthday kids are concerned about sending them off to school for a full day. One of mine has an August birthday, but started K back when it was a half day so it wasn't as long a day for the kids. I was concerned when this one was in middle school because she was exposed to things I wish were held off for another year, so part of me wishes I had started her the following year.

[Anonymous]

I was concerned when this one was in middle school because she was exposed to things I wish were held off for another year, so part of me wishes I had started her the following year.

Exactly! That's when it really matters.

[Anonymous]

OK, here we go, again, HOW MANY NON Aug/Sept kids are being red-shirted? Not many! This is just a non-issue and the only ones complaining are the ones sending their AUG/SEP birthday kid. And to that I say, make a choice and respect others' choices. Amen! If your kid is not an Aug/Sep birthday, please stop threading about this issue as it in NO WAY impacts your DC.

[Anonymous]

OK, here we go, again, HOW MANY NON Aug/Sept kids are being red-shirted? Not many! This is just a non-issue and the only ones complaining are the ones sending their AUG/SEP birthday kid. And to that I say, make a choice and respect others' choices. Amen! If your kid is not an Aug/Sep birthday, please stop threading about this issue as it in NO WAY impacts your DC.

Great statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OK, here we go, again, HOW MANY NON Aug/Sept kids are being red-shirted? Not many! This is just a non-issue and the only ones complaining are the ones sending their AUG/SEP birthday kid. And to that I say, make a choice and respect others' choices. Amen! If your kid is not an Aug/Sep birthday, please stop threading about this issue as it in NO WAY impacts your DC.

Great statement.

Except it's false.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OK, here we go, again, HOW MANY NON Aug/Sept kids are being red-shirted? Not many! This is just a non-issue and the only ones complaining are the ones sending their AUG/SEP birthday kid. And to that I say, make a choice and respect others' choices. Amen! If your kid is not an Aug/Sep birthday, please stop threading about this issue as it in NO WAY impacts your DC.

Great statement.

+1

Bunch of complainers looking for something to bitch about.

[Anonymous]

I entered kindergarten age 4, turned 5 that fall and did fine throughout school and college.

My brother entered kindergarten having just turned 5 (August birthday), had a tough year and was told he should repeat kindergarten. My parents resisted and then sent him to private school for 1st grade...where it was recommended he repeat 1st grade. Which he did. After that he did fine, even though he was the oldest in class and was anywhere from 1-15 months ahead of his classmates. In fact, his age was never an issue after repeating 1st grade, because he was really at the point he should have been all along.

This was back in the 70s, mind you, and our cut-off date was December 1.

All this to say that it really depends on the child, and parents should have leeway to decide what's best.

[Anonymous]

^^ although in our case I have to admit my parents were wrong to try to keep my brother going with the class he entered with, and should have acknowledged how immature and unready he was for K and then 1st grade. But they finally saw the light.

[Anonymous]

I entered kindergarten age 4, turned 5 that fall and did fine throughout school and college.

My brother entered kindergarten having just turned 5 (August birthday), had a tough year and was told he should repeat kindergarten. My parents resisted and then sent him to private school for 1st grade...where it was recommended he repeat 1st grade. Which he did. After that he did fine, even though he was the oldest in class and was anywhere from 1-15 months ahead of his classmates. In fact, his age was never an issue after repeating 1st grade, because he was really at the point he should have been all along.

This was back in the 70s, mind you, and our cut-off date was December 1.

All this to say that it really depends on the child, and parents should have leeway to decide what's best.

well said

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I entered kindergarten age 4, turned 5 that fall and did fine throughout school and college.

My brother entered kindergarten having just turned 5 (August birthday), had a tough year and was told he should repeat kindergarten. My parents resisted and then sent him to private school for 1st grade...where it was recommended he repeat 1st grade. Which he did. After that he did fine, even though he was the oldest in class and was anywhere from 1-15 months ahead of his classmates. In fact, his age was never an issue after repeating 1st grade, because he was really at the point he should have been all along.

This was back in the 70s, mind you, and our cut-off date was December 1.

All this to say that it really depends on the child, and parents should have leeway to decide what's best.

well said

Agree- your parents were responsible. BUT, there are some parents out there holding kids back for less than ideal reasons (sports for one...). They should not have leeway to hold a normal May back simply b/c they are looking for their child to excel in sports (not discussing the validity of that... Just that is why this person did it.) having that May in a class with my September is over a 16 month age gap. For those of you with non aug/sept birthday children. Try and imagine a kid 16 months older in school with your child and think about who your child might appear by comparison....

[Anonymous]

I taught school. There is always diversity in a class. Let the parents decide what is best for their own children. You decide what is best for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I entered kindergarten age 4, turned 5 that fall and did fine throughout school and college.

My brother entered kindergarten having just turned 5 (August birthday), had a tough year and was told he should repeat kindergarten. My parents resisted and then sent him to private school for 1st grade...where it was recommended he repeat 1st grade. Which he did. After that he did fine, even though he was the oldest in class and was anywhere from 1-15 months ahead of his classmates. In fact, his age was never an issue after repeating 1st grade, because he was really at the point he should have been all along.

This was back in the 70s, mind you, and our cut-off date was December 1.

All this to say that it really depends on the child, and parents should have leeway to decide what's best.

well said

Parents do have leeway. Kids may enter school at age 5 and must enter at age 6.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OK, here we go, again, HOW MANY NON Aug/Sept kids are being red-shirted? Not many! This is just a non-issue and the only ones complaining are the ones sending their AUG/SEP birthday kid. And to that I say, make a choice and respect others' choices. Amen! If your kid is not an Aug/Sep birthday, please stop threading about this issue as it in NO WAY impacts your DC.

Great statement.

Except it's false.

Of course, it impacts my children. It changes the standards and expectations of the elementary school classroom. I'm not wild about my children going to middle school with 15 year-olds and to high school with 20-year-olds.