Age Cutoff for Kindergarten

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Stop trying to wedge your four year old into my almost 6 year old's classroom because you INSIST that s/he is ready for school because s/he is reading somewhat and can do more than simple addition. Does your kid no longer take a nap or need quiet time in the afternoon? Can s/he sit still for long stretches and pay attention to the teacher? Is s/he starting to socialize with peers on a 5/6 year old level? If the answer to those isn't yes, your kid doesn't belong there yet.

If it's an "almost six-year-old", then it's an "almost five-year-old". My child did early entrance to kindergarten (EEK). She turned five three weeks after school started. If we lived across the river in Virginia, she would have been starting kindergarten on time.

In any case, it's up to the school district to decide who's ready . Not you, or me, or any other individual parent.

[Anonymous]

Some parents do prepare their kids academically for school, teach them to sit when appropriate and play when allowed

Sad that we have come to a place where a four year old can only "play when allowed."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't people just follow the cut offs?? Why is this so complicated??

Because some kids are ready to go to K, when they are at or slightly over the cut-off, like September birthdays. Some parents do prepare their kids academically for school, teach them to sit when appropriate and play when allowed. A child who is easily reading and ready to learn waiting another full year for school is a waste given then they have to start learning basics like letters, numbers, colors, etc. when they have known it for several years.

Everyone needs to stop assuming that an Oct. 15th or whatever birthday will be the oldest kid in class. S/he probably won't. And people definitely need to stop comparing their child's imagined experience with their own, when "cut offs were Dec. 30th!" Well, they're not around here and K is nothing like it was when you were a child. Your child's teacher will teach to the abilities of the class. Not individually, but as a whole. Stop trying to wedge your four year old into my almost 6 year old's classroom because you INSIST that s/he is ready for school because s/he is reading somewhat and can do more than simple addition. Does your kid no longer take a nap or need quiet time in the afternoon? Can s/he sit still for long stretches and pay attention to the teacher? Is s/he starting to socialize with peers on a 5/6 year old level? If the answer to those isn't yes, your kid doesn't belong there yet.

I say this as someone who (a) started K at age four with a fall birthday and (b) has a kid with a fall birthday. My kid has a birthday a week after OPs and has always been somewhat precocious. I spent too much time worrying about trying to push him up a year early (in MoCo). He just started K last week. Guess what? He has three other kids in his class of 17 with birthdays BEFORE his.

If a child meets the cutoff, they should be allowed to go regardless of whether they fit in with your almost 6 year old. Redshirted kids and early entrance kids should adapt if they decide to hold back or push forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Some parents do prepare their kids academically for school, teach them to sit when appropriate and play when allowed

Sad that we have come to a place where a four year old can only "play when allowed."

Why do you assume kids only sit and do work at school. And, why can't they play at home. My kid went to an academic preschool and they had work periods - about half the class was play and half was work. The work was simple, too simple. If you challenge kids, most rise to the occasion. If you dumb them down, don't be surprised if that is how they act, fighting school, refusing to sit, etc. Your attitude goes a long way.

6 is far to old to start K. We didn't push for early entrance and went private for a year. I completely regret not pushing it as I was basically told if your child has any minor delays, they will not take them so I didn't bother trying. A year later those delays are gone, he is the oldest in his class and complaining about what he is learning as its not challenging enough. So, now we are trying to get him moved up. It is far more complicated than age and size. Kids need to be challenged. Kids need to learn expectations and the earlier you do it where it becomes their normal, the easier it is for them to adjust. I send my kid to school to learn. I don't expect him to play at school. He can play before school, after school, weekends and summers. Elementary school is not preschool. If your kid still needs or wants to play, hold them back till they are ready. But, don't hold other kids back who are capable and want to learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't people just follow the cut offs?? Why is this so complicated??

Because some kids are ready to go to K, when they are at or slightly over the cut-off, like September birthdays. Some parents do prepare their kids academically for school, teach them to sit when appropriate and play when allowed. A child who is easily reading and ready to learn waiting another full year for school is a waste given then they have to start learning basics like letters, numbers, colors, etc. when they have known it for several years.

Everyone needs to stop assuming that an Oct. 15th or whatever birthday will be the oldest kid in class. S/he probably won't. And people definitely need to stop comparing their child's imagined experience with their own, when "cut offs were Dec. 30th!" Well, they're not around here and K is nothing like it was when you were a child. Your child's teacher will teach to the abilities of the class. Not individually, but as a whole. Stop trying to wedge your four year old into my almost 6 year old's classroom because you INSIST that s/he is ready for school because s/he is reading somewhat and can do more than simple addition. Does your kid no longer take a nap or need quiet time in the afternoon? Can s/he sit still for long stretches and pay attention to the teacher? Is s/he starting to socialize with peers on a 5/6 year old level? If the answer to those isn't yes, your kid doesn't belong there yet.

I say this as someone who (a) started K at age four with a fall birthday and (b) has a kid with a fall birthday. My kid has a birthday a week after OPs and has always been somewhat precocious. I spent too much time worrying about trying to push him up a year early (in MoCo). He just started K last week. Guess what? He has three other kids in his class of 17 with birthdays BEFORE his.

If a child meets the cutoff, they should be allowed to go regardless of whether they fit in with your almost 6 year old. Redshirted kids and early entrance kids should adapt if they decide to hold back or push forward.

For me, the issue isn't they are starting too young, but too old. The almost six year old should have been going at 5 and then it would not be an issue. Kids should not be held back or redshirted - they should be provided the supports they need, including special education to succeed. Early intervention has proven successful, so how is holding back kids who "need more time" beneficial?

[Anonymous]

If a child meets the cutoff, they should be allowed to go regardless of whether they fit in with your almost 6 year old.

Who says they are not?

[Anonymous]

6 is far to old to start K. We didn't push for early entrance and went private for a year. I completely regret not pushing it as I was basically told if your child has any minor delays, they will not take them so I didn't bother trying. A year later those delays are gone, he is the oldest in his class and complaining about what he is learning as its not challenging enough. So, now we are trying to get him moved up. It is far more complicated than age and size. Kids need to be challenged. Kids need to learn expectations and the earlier you do it where it becomes their normal, the easier it is for them to adjust. I send my kid to school to learn. I don't expect him to play at school. He can play before school, after school, weekends and summers. Elementary school is not preschool. If your kid still needs or wants to play, hold them back till they are ready. But, don't hold other kids back who are capable and want to learn.

And, Kindergarten is NOT first grade. Kindergarten should be mostly directed play. Little desk/table time. But, thanks to changes and demands, it is not. That is the problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

6 is far to old to start K. We didn't push for early entrance and went private for a year. I completely regret not pushing it as I was basically told if your child has any minor delays, they will not take them so I didn't bother trying. A year later those delays are gone, he is the oldest in his class and complaining about what he is learning as its not challenging enough. So, now we are trying to get him moved up. It is far more complicated than age and size. Kids need to be challenged. Kids need to learn expectations and the earlier you do it where it becomes their normal, the easier it is for them to adjust. I send my kid to school to learn. I don't expect him to play at school. He can play before school, after school, weekends and summers. Elementary school is not preschool. If your kid still needs or wants to play, hold them back till they are ready. But, don't hold other kids back who are capable and want to learn.

And, Kindergarten is NOT first grade. Kindergarten should be mostly directed play. Little desk/table time. But, thanks to changes and demands, it is not. That is the problem.

Preschool is for play. Kindergarten is to prepare you for you upper grades. They need to be taught how to sit, work in groups, and the foundations. That is why our kids are falling behind. Kids do not get the foundations at home or preschool and so they have to make up for it in K. Kids transition better if they learn those skills early on. K. is a waste of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

6 is far to old to start K. We didn't push for early entrance and went private for a year. I completely regret not pushing it as I was basically told if your child has any minor delays, they will not take them so I didn't bother trying. A year later those delays are gone, he is the oldest in his class and complaining about what he is learning as its not challenging enough. So, now we are trying to get him moved up. It is far more complicated than age and size. Kids need to be challenged. Kids need to learn expectations and the earlier you do it where it becomes their normal, the easier it is for them to adjust. I send my kid to school to learn. I don't expect him to play at school. He can play before school, after school, weekends and summers. Elementary school is not preschool. If your kid still needs or wants to play, hold them back till they are ready. But, don't hold other kids back who are capable and want to learn.

And, Kindergarten is NOT first grade. Kindergarten should be mostly directed play. Little desk/table time. But, thanks to changes and demands, it is not. That is the problem.

Preschool is for play. Kindergarten is to prepare you for you upper grades. They need to be taught how to sit, work in groups, and the foundations. That is why our kids are falling behind. Kids do not get the foundations at home or preschool and so they have to make up for it in K. Kids transition better if they learn those skills early on. K. is a waste of time.

That makes no sense. If US students used to be ahead, and have fallen behind now that K is using the curriculum of 1st grade, then the change to K isn't helping. (I suspect K doesn't matter that much, one way or the other, and that US students have historically not been advanced, no more than they are now. American exceptionalism is not built on academics.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Boyd School in NOVA will let them into kindergarten if they turn 5 by December 31.

Feeling sad for those kids whose parents let them do that.

Why? Maybe the kids are more mature and can handle it? It is not fun to be the oldest also when the rest of your classmates are younger than you, especially if puberty starts early for your child.

[Anonymous]

The studies indicate the opposite - children who are allowed to play are creative thinkers, better prepared to learn, less anxious, and they do a better job navigating socially with peers. Play isn't pointless - it teaches children to create, solve problems, defend oneself, speak up, resolve personal differences, learn normative rules, listen and respect rules. As we strip that away, we are stripping away children's ability to learn and grow and cope. It can't be taught in a classroom lesson.

[Anonymous]

The studies indicate the opposite - children who are allowed to play are creative thinkers, better prepared to learn, less anxious, and they do a better job navigating socially with peers. Play isn't pointless - it teaches children to create, solve problems, defend oneself, speak up, resolve personal differences, learn normative rules, listen and respect rules. As we strip that away, we are stripping away children's ability to learn and grow and cope. It can't be taught in a classroom lesson.

+1000

Plus, in the past, American kids did not learn to read until first grade for the most part. Reading early does not indicate that you will be a better reader by fourth grade. (Of course, there have always been those who "picked" up reading early. But that is a long way from the kids who are being "taught" to read at four.

We need to back off. Most European countries still wait to teach reading until six or seven.

I taught first grade. The PP above is correct. There is nothing sadder than a child who can call out words but is not able to tell you what he just read.
I also taught K before the big push to teach reading. Most of my kids could read some by the end of the year. But, the thing that probably benefited them the most were the creative and critical thinking skills developed by the other experiences. For example, we had the most wonderful large blocks. At the beginning of the year the kids would sit in their group and build towers. By the end of the year, they were constructing cities together. What did they learn? Teamwork--and, hopefully, a little physics. They learned to solve problems and many other things. The kids also painted in my class. We taught them how to set up the painting center-put newspaper under the easels and wash up the area when they were finished. That translates to a good work ethic, following basic directions, and consideration for others.
These are just a couple of examples that kids are not getting in Kindergarten today. Sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The studies indicate the opposite - children who are allowed to play are creative thinkers, better prepared to learn, less anxious, and they do a better job navigating socially with peers. Play isn't pointless - it teaches children to create, solve problems, defend oneself, speak up, resolve personal differences, learn normative rules, listen and respect rules. As we strip that away, we are stripping away children's ability to learn and grow and cope. It can't be taught in a classroom lesson.

+1000

Plus, in the past, American kids did not learn to read until first grade for the most part. Reading early does not indicate that you will be a better reader by fourth grade. (Of course, there have always been those who "picked" up reading early. But that is a long way from the kids who are being "taught" to read at four.

We need to back off. Most European countries still wait to teach reading until six or seven.

I taught first grade. The PP above is correct. There is nothing sadder than a child who can call out words but is not able to tell you what he just read.
I also taught K before the big push to teach reading. Most of my kids could read some by the end of the year. But, the thing that probably benefited them the most were the creative and critical thinking skills developed by the other experiences. For example, we had the most wonderful large blocks. At the beginning of the year the kids would sit in their group and build towers. By the end of the year, they were constructing cities together. What did they learn? Teamwork--and, hopefully, a little physics. They learned to solve problems and many other things. The kids also painted in my class. We taught them how to set up the painting center-put newspaper under the easels and wash up the area when they were finished. That translates to a good work ethic, following basic directions, and consideration for others.
These are just a couple of examples that kids are not getting in Kindergarten today. Sad.

Sorry have to call you out on this big mistake. MOST European countries start teaching reading at 4. Scandinavian countries start at 7. Small part of Europe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The studies indicate the opposite - children who are allowed to play are creative thinkers, better prepared to learn, less anxious, and they do a better job navigating socially with peers. Play isn't pointless - it teaches children to create, solve problems, defend oneself, speak up, resolve personal differences, learn normative rules, listen and respect rules. As we strip that away, we are stripping away children's ability to learn and grow and cope. It can't be taught in a classroom lesson.

+1000

Plus, in the past, American kids did not learn to read until first grade for the most part. Reading early does not indicate that you will be a better reader by fourth grade. (Of course, there have always been those who "picked" up reading early. But that is a long way from the kids who are being "taught" to read at four.

We need to back off. Most European countries still wait to teach reading until six or seven.

I taught first grade. The PP above is correct. There is nothing sadder than a child who can call out words but is not able to tell you what he just read.
I also taught K before the big push to teach reading. Most of my kids could read some by the end of the year. But, the thing that probably benefited them the most were the creative and critical thinking skills developed by the other experiences. For example, we had the most wonderful large blocks. At the beginning of the year the kids would sit in their group and build towers. By the end of the year, they were constructing cities together. What did they learn? Teamwork--and, hopefully, a little physics. They learned to solve problems and many other things. The kids also painted in my class. We taught them how to set up the painting center-put newspaper under the easels and wash up the area when they were finished. That translates to a good work ethic, following basic directions, and consideration for others.
These are just a couple of examples that kids are not getting in Kindergarten today. Sad.

Sorry have to call you out on this big mistake. MOST European countries start teaching reading at 4. Scandinavian countries start at 7. Small part of Europe.

Actually many Scandinavian children learn to decode before starting school. It isn't a big emphasis before 7 though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The studies indicate the opposite - children who are allowed to play are creative thinkers, better prepared to learn, less anxious, and they do a better job navigating socially with peers. Play isn't pointless - it teaches children to create, solve problems, defend oneself, speak up, resolve personal differences, learn normative rules, listen and respect rules. As we strip that away, we are stripping away children's ability to learn and grow and cope. It can't be taught in a classroom lesson.

+1000

Plus, in the past, American kids did not learn to read until first grade for the most part. Reading early does not indicate that you will be a better reader by fourth grade. (Of course, there have always been those who "picked" up reading early. But that is a long way from the kids who are being "taught" to read at four.

We need to back off. Most European countries still wait to teach reading until six or seven.

I taught first grade. The PP above is correct. There is nothing sadder than a child who can call out words but is not able to tell you what he just read.
I also taught K before the big push to teach reading. Most of my kids could read some by the end of the year. But, the thing that probably benefited them the most were the creative and critical thinking skills developed by the other experiences. For example, we had the most wonderful large blocks. At the beginning of the year the kids would sit in their group and build towers. By the end of the year, they were constructing cities together. What did they learn? Teamwork--and, hopefully, a little physics. They learned to solve problems and many other things. The kids also painted in my class. We taught them how to set up the painting center-put newspaper under the easels and wash up the area when they were finished. That translates to a good work ethic, following basic directions, and consideration for others.
These are just a couple of examples that kids are not getting in Kindergarten today. Sad.

Most schools have full day K now. Why can't there be a timeframe where the kids construct?