Did you send your late summer birthday son to kindergarten that Fall?

[Anonymous]

Once again, it depends on the child. Most "hold backs" are unnecessary and a huge disservice to the children held back, however. In few cases, it is right for the child.

[Anonymous]

We sent our June birthday DS to pre-k instead of K this year, principally for social reasons. It's still relatively early in the year, but we are really happy with our decision. Obviously, we don't know how it will play out over time, but he is doing exactly what we hoped he'd be doing this year - gaining confidence socially and really interacting more with his peers. I share the concern about him becoming bored down the road, but given his personality (extremely curious and diligent), I tend to doubt that will happen. We did look around for pre-k options that would be more stimulating that a preschool setting, so I'm sure that's helped as well. I will say that I agonized over this decision for a long time, and I agree with those who say it really does depend on your kid. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Still not clear on why people redshirt. What is the big secret? Typical.

To gain an advantage socially, athletically. The redshirts at our schools are/were from sporting families or aggressive families but all are in the high income group. So if the child is able to gain admission to a private or gifted program then one can infer that the child was not lagging behind in basic kindergarten curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did redshirt (end of August bday) and DS is also loving K at our local DCPS. It seems like a really good fit socially, he is a bit ahead academically. I'd take a look at the school he would be in, talk to current teachers and talk to the future school to find out what the expectations are. I don't think this is a decision that can be made in the abstract. We moved DS from preschool to another school with a JK program so he didn't feel like he was "repeating" or being left while the other kids moved on. It's a totally kid dependent decision - good luck!

We did the exact same thing. It was just what DC needed.

yes. I am the one with the son's bday that is 1 day before the cutoff for K. I am leaning towards sending him to a new preK program for 1 year. We moved away from his current Montessori (though I am still driving him there for this year). Most of his friends in that school will not be back next year--moving to publicK or privateK. I am going to start his little brother and him in a new playbased program a few blocks from our house. First year for little brother and older brother will feel like it is a 'new' school.

My main motivation---he is only 1 day before cutoff. I am not so concerned about his ability to keep up in K or his size (he's always been 95%)...what I am concerned about is his ages in High School and starting College. I do not feel most boys are ready for the freedom and responsibility of starting college at 17!! Most teenage boys are not emotionally ready for all of that temptation. I would rather send him off to college at 18 (soon to be 19). Plus--if I sent him ontime he'd start his Junior year in High School at 16----again sounds young to me for a boy.

I will continue to evaluate because academically he is advanced. My mother thinks I'm crazy not to send to K next year. My MIL who taught K and 1st grade for 35 years and has 2 red-shirted Sept. boys is definitely in the red shirt club.

One last thing--if I do hold back he and his younger brother will only have 1 grade between them throughout their schooling and I really liked that my brother and sister all had 1 year btwn us. It was nice to have family in school with you.


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