Anyone's child do Kindergarten twice?

[Anonymous]

This study (http://www.econ.wisc.edu/workshop/ELApril4.pdf) seems to be a big favorite of the anti-redshirters in recent weeks, since they've probably cited it 20+ times. But I think it's inapplicable to the situation we're discussing here. This study focuses on families that delay entry to school ("delayed entry simply postpones learning"). It does not address the situation (far more common on DCUM) where a family does NOT delay entry, but rather repeats a grade. Most studies I've seen all say the more schooling, the better. So how can it be bad to give a child more schooling? Especially if he's at the age cusp, and arguably needs more time to mature.

The choice is NOT school vs. no-school, but rather some school vs. an extra year of school.

[Anonymous]

The study does specifically address what happens to students who have had an extra year of parental investment. For the highest income families the study says positive academic performance effects are visible all the way to 8th grade. But not after. The study also shows impact on students who enter "on time". Some are positive (higher test scores) some are negative (more tagged as ADHD).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A similar article was recently mentioned in another thread. Here's the conclusion drawn by the author of that article:

"Schools must adjust their programs to fit the new profile of their students – larger age spans and greater differences in size and capability perhaps. This can be done well if the school and its teachers resist the temptation to simply accelerate their program and truly reframe their curriculum and methodologies to fit the needs of the students they have. If this is accomplished, students can have the best of all possible worlds."



This. And all the kids will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This study (http://www.econ.wisc.edu/workshop/ELApril4.pdf) seems to be a big favorite of the anti-redshirters in recent weeks, since they've probably cited it 20+ times. But I think it's inapplicable to the situation we're discussing here. This study focuses on families that delay entry to school ("delayed entry simply postpones learning"). It does not address the situation (far more common on DCUM) where a family does NOT delay entry, but rather repeats a grade. Most studies I've seen all say the more schooling, the better. So how can it be bad to give a child more schooling? Especially if he's at the age cusp, and arguably needs more time to mature.

The choice is NOT school vs. no-school, but rather some school vs. an extra year of school.

my problem is the kids aren't getting extra schooling-they are given busy work until all the kids are at a similar level. People put their kids into another year of K and those kids are not learning anything, they are in a holding pattern. Parents need to allow their kids' natural path of development to occur. If they legitimately need extra time then fine, but thinking that an extra year for a child that is already at level is going to benefit him/her is well stupid.

[Anonymous]

I didn't hold mine back. He was more than ready for 1st grade this year. He turned 6 last week and some of his classmates turned 7 this week. It depends on the child. OP, only you can make the best decision for you and your family.

[Anonymous]

In the olden days I recall some families doing this to get a better spacing of kids so they could actually contribute something to the kids' college costs. Really. Oh how times have changed.

[Anonymous]

My DS has been held back and went to K last week. It is interesting to see how the view of the parents are changing,
there are few kids in his class who were absolutley positiely sure that kids were ready for K and send them, now
they are dealing with traumatized kids who have already dealing with huge emotional issues and can't function in
the K situation. Then there is bunch of other parents who were worrying aobut sending their kids on time and they did
and the kids are doing fine. Then there is a third group, the kids who are like 4 years old , couple of them,
seemingly smart kids for their age yet absolutely lost in the class situation. My sons is telling me stories everyday
about them crying thousand times a day. Yet.. when i see their parents picking them up they are all smiles,
not because they are so happy at school, they are happy it is over for the day.. and the trauma repeats the next day.

My DS just was not ready last year and now he is going to and coming fro K singing and happy and speaks nothing
but fun about the whole day. Be it last year I would have to force send him crying to and force keeping him all day.

One year made Huge difference for us. Again it is not the same for each kid as many of you pointed. Perent
knows the child best, trust your instinct, feel through your child. K is about being happy and liking school,
if you start with trauma it might last for a very long time and shadow the rest of the academic progress.
Not worth it.

[Anonymous]

"My DS has been held back and went to K last week. It is interesting to see how the view of the parents are changing,
there are few kids in his class who were absolutley positiely sure that kids were ready for K and send them, now
they are dealing with traumatized kids who have already dealing with huge emotional issues and can't function in
the K situation. Then there is bunch of other parents who were worrying aobut sending their kids on time and they did
and the kids are doing fine. Then there is a third group, the kids who are like 4 years old , couple of them,
seemingly smart kids for their age yet absolutely lost in the class situation. My sons is telling me stories everyday
about them crying thousand times a day. Yet.. when i see their parents picking them up they are all smiles,
not because they are so happy at school, they are happy it is over for the day.. and the trauma repeats the next day. "

You are delusional, and an idiot. Do you seriously think that because a child has more separation anxiety than others when starting at a new school, or doesn't know how to function in a school environment at the beginning of the year, that s/he is suffering trauma? And how do you know whether any of this behavior is related to age?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"My DS has been held back and went to K last week. It is interesting to see how the view of the parents are changing,
there are few kids in his class who were absolutley positiely sure that kids were ready for K and send them, now
they are dealing with traumatized kids who have already dealing with huge emotional issues and can't function in
the K situation. Then there is bunch of other parents who were worrying aobut sending their kids on time and they did
and the kids are doing fine. Then there is a third group, the kids who are like 4 years old , couple of them,
seemingly smart kids for their age yet absolutely lost in the class situation. My sons is telling me stories everyday
about them crying thousand times a day. Yet.. when i see their parents picking them up they are all smiles,
not because they are so happy at school, they are happy it is over for the day.. and the trauma repeats the next day. "

You are delusional, and an idiot. Do you seriously think that because a child has more separation anxiety than others when starting at a new school, or doesn't know how to function in a school environment at the beginning of the year, that s/he is suffering trauma? And how do you know whether any of this behavior is related to age?

people tell themselves all sorts of BS to make themselves feel better-her decison is "correct"-let her have it, she needs to make it through the day too you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't hold mine back. He was more than ready for 1st grade this year. He turned 6 last week and some of his classmates turned 7 this week. It depends on the child. OP, only you can make the best decision for you and your family.

our just turned 6 yesterday child went to first grade this morning too-curious to know how your child is doing. Mine was ESTATIC and I feel we made the right choice-but wow I am so anxious to hear about his day!!

[Anonymous]

I agree with many of the posters who are against re-do of kindergarten. In some ways parents should realize that "you get what you get and you don't get upset." By re-do of kindergarten, what are you really teaching your kid? If there are issues, isn't is better to use that critical development time to help them accommodate their quirks that you find to be so insufficient?

[Anonymous]

We have some old friends from our pre-school days who we heard are holding their kid back. So it is interesting to see this thread, as we have been wondering why on earth they would do this??? The kid is nice, smart (they say he can read chapter books), and very tall for his age. So it is very interesting to see that holding kids back is a "big thing" around here. Seems more like parents having issues than the kids, honestly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS has been held back and went to K last week. It is interesting to see how the view of the parents are changing,
there are few kids in his class who were absolutley positiely sure that kids were ready for K and send them, now
they are dealing with traumatized kids who have already dealing with huge emotional issues and can't function in
the K situation. Then there is bunch of other parents who were worrying aobut sending their kids on time and they did
and the kids are doing fine. Then there is a third group, the kids who are like 4 years old , couple of them,
seemingly smart kids for their age yet absolutely lost in the class situation. My sons is telling me stories everyday
about them crying thousand times a day. Yet.. when i see their parents picking them up they are all smiles,
not because they are so happy at school, they are happy it is over for the day.. and the trauma repeats the next day.

My DS just was not ready last year and now he is going to and coming fro K singing and happy and speaks nothing
but fun about the whole day. Be it last year I would have to force send him crying to and force keeping him all day.

One year made Huge difference for us. Again it is not the same for each kid as many of you pointed. Perent
knows the child best, trust your instinct, feel through your child. K is about being happy and liking school,
if you start with trauma it might last for a very long time and shadow the rest of the academic progress.
Not worth it.

I have a daughter who will be 4 when she starts K next year. She will be just fine, and in fact, since her older brother (almost 6, December birthday so missed cutoff last year) started K, she is more upset she cannot go now. I think stereotyping smaller, younger looking children, or those who are upset to leave their parents, is making a big assumption, unless of course you were in the class all day. (though I can almost promise you my 4 year old will not shed tear in K). Kids being upset, or needing time to adjust to a new school is develomentally appropriate for 4 and 5 year olds.
p

[Anonymous]

The choice is NOT school vs. no-school, but rather some school vs. an extra year of school.


my problem is the kids aren't getting extra schooling-they are given busy work until all the kids are at a similar level. People put their kids into another year of K and those kids are not learning anything, they are in a holding pattern. Parents need to allow their kids' natural path of development to occur. If they legitimately need extra time then fine, but thinking that an extra year for a child that is already at level is going to benefit him/her is well stupid.

We will be red shirting our daughter, she's a summer birthday. Kids can always take preliminary college coursework in high school should they get "bored" down the line or if they are advanced. Depending on the school they attend and the school's connections red shirted kids may have the opportunity to do an internship or work on interesting projects... They can also skip a grade if need be. I'm not worried.