Social Readiness for Kindergarten

[Anonymous]

What is the social readiness necessary for Kindergarten and how can it be improved in a child? We have a DS in PK4 this year. He was in daycare for several prior years. He has a developmentally delayed sibling who is effectively younger than the PK4 DS. While DS in PK4 is academically on target, we have concerns about the social development of PK4 son. He is awkward at playing with other kids and occasionally hitting or extra touchy with other kids. We assume part of this is that he has had a non-standard relationship with his sibling who he's been able to be dominant over. My spouse is concerned that DS PK4 should possibly be held back from K next fall as he has social awkwardness and has a summer birthday. What are thoughts on this social development level and appropriateness for kindergarten? We are almost a year out, so hopefully he will socially grow this year. Any tips on activities outside of school that can help with DS's social interactions and development for a PK4 child?

[Anonymous]

My unscientific response is that no PK4 kid is ready for K at the beginning of PK4, but by the end of the year, developmental magic happens and they are ready.

What you write could describe our PK4 child as well. Is the teacher concerned about his development?

[Anonymous]

What is the recommendation of your developmental pediatrician? For such an important subject, you should probably take your concerns there first.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't try to micromanage this. Sounds like he is in the normal range of development. You can try to foster a lot of playdates, but the way a kid interacts in school is different from playdates anyway. I have a similar kid and will not be redshirting because he would be far too advanced in other ways if held back. I have just accepted that I have a unique kid with his own pattern of growth.

[Anonymous]

Unless he's a crazy outlier he's going to be fine.

Most if not 100% of young kindergartener's are socially awkward. They're so young and they're figuring out how to relate to other people. Plus they're completely self focused at that age so they don't really notice what other kids do.

[Anonymous]

Early childhood special ed teacher here.

It's too early to tell if your child should be held back from K. As PPs said, a lot of good stuff happens this year that gets most kids ready for K.

If he has a sibling that is delayed, that may be even more reason to send him to Kindergarten on time, to make sure he is doing social-emotional learning among typical peers. That said, there is always the possibility that he may benefit from another year of ECE - mention your concerns to his current teacher and touch base with the teacher throughout the year so you're up to speed.

One more thing - it's pretty hard to hold a kid back in DCPS without an IEP. (I'm not familiar with how charters do things). So unless the child is truly, truly behind, DCPS will push for you to send him to K.