PSA for the kindergarten red shirters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't redshirt my july bday son, but ONLY because I found a public Montessori program for him. There is no way in hell I would send my barely 5 year old into a k classroom of today with its rigid focus on accelerated academics. A k class of the 1970s and 80s, absolutely. Here's the thing, K has changed a lot since we were in it and it is no longer developmentally appropriate for a good portion of kids with summer or later birthdays, boys especially. No way would I set up my kid for a lifetime of hating school because we happen to live in at the end of a pendulum swing toward inappropriate too-riguous academics. When K is again 1/2 day of play-based education (as it was for me), redshirting will disappear.

We want rigorous academics. I do not find them rigorous but very basic. School is to learn. Play is for home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gee, much better to have an 18 year old senior than a 17 year old going off to college.

Why? Surely it depends on the particular 17-year-old or 18-year-old?

Generally, 18-year olds tend to be a year more mature than when they were 17-year olds. When it comes to college, more maturity is better than less maturity.

I agree. I don't think people should go to college until they're in the early 20s and have worked full time at low-skill jobs for several years. Actually, that might still be too early. I'm middle-aged, and I'd get a lot more out of college now than when I was in my early 20s, let alone 17 or 18.

Kids can work summers. No way would I allow time off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine redshirting. The kindergarten curriculum is so slow to begin with.

So don't do it. There, end of discussion.

We had a September birthday so we had little choice. My kid is reading very well and can do basic math. He is so bored in his new pre program.

That is not redshirting (assuming your system has a September 1 cut-off). That is starting him on time and wishing you had started him early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't redshirt my july bday son, but ONLY because I found a public Montessori program for him. There is no way in hell I would send my barely 5 year old into a k classroom of today with its rigid focus on accelerated academics. A k class of the 1970s and 80s, absolutely. Here's the thing, K has changed a lot since we were in it and it is no longer developmentally appropriate for a good portion of kids with summer or later birthdays, boys especially. No way would I set up my kid for a lifetime of hating school because we happen to live in at the end of a pendulum swing toward inappropriate too-riguous academics. When K is again 1/2 day of play-based education (as it was for me), redshirting will disappear.

We want rigorous academics. I do not find them rigorous but very basic. School is to learn. Play is for home.

It's interesting that you seem to think that "play" is the opposite of "learn". There actually is such a thing as learning through play.

[Anonymous]

It's interesting that you seem to think that "play" is the opposite of "learn". There actually is such a thing as learning through play.

I did that as a K teacher--and guess what? They were all reading at the end of the year--except for one. We did the occasional worksheet--but most of it was done through fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't imagine redshirting. The kindergarten curriculum is so slow to begin with.

So don't do it. There, end of discussion.

We had a September birthday so we had little choice. My kid is reading very well and can do basic math. He is so bored in his new pre program.

maybe you should have considered sending him early? In MCPS - they will consider kids up to Oct 15 birthday for early admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But the upside is a 15 year old freshman that can dominate JV!!

Another "upside" is that then get their driver's licenses earlier and get in the cue for a parking space at the HS earlier- thus more likely to actually get a parking space.

A downside is that they turn 18 before/when Senior Year starts and they can sign everything and you are out of the loop unless you take extra steps. They can call themselves in sick, sign forms, not have you get their grades.......

...and they'll hit 21 before most of their classmates which will turn him/her into the 'cool go-to kid' to buy alcohol for the youngings and be held liable when the drinking goes wrong.

[Anonymous]

How far back to people usually redshirt? My son was born April 5, and I don't want him to be the youngest in the class. Are most April boys held back?

[Anonymous]

How far back to people usually redshirt? My son was born April 5, and I don't want him to be the youngest in the class. Are most April boys held back?

Unless he is exceptionally immature, I would not hold him back. And, I seriously doubt he will be the youngest in the class. It's not as pervasive as those here would have you think. I did not reshirt my April kid. I might if I had it to do over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How far back to people usually redshirt? My son was born April 5, and I don't want him to be the youngest in the class. Are most April boys held back?

June through September are the usual ages for waiting an extra year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, gee, thanks for letting us know.

Jerk.

Huh? Wow, that's an overly aggressive reaction to OP.

Oh, I don't know. I found OP's post to be just a millimeter this side of concern trolling.

Actually, PP, you are the one who sounds like a troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Why not just admit the redshirting?

Because people are sanctimonious jerks about redshirting. Read any thread about redshirting on this board for an example.

Reading DCUM has made me actively support redshirting.

Um, no, the reshirters are the sanctimonious jerks. They have to be, to support their gaming of the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Why not just admit the redshirting?

Because people are sanctimonious jerks about redshirting. Read any thread about redshirting on this board for an example.

Reading DCUM has made me actively support redshirting.

Um, no, the reshirters are the sanctimonious jerks. They have to be, to support their gaming of the system.

"Gaming the system"? People who redshirt are following the rules. If you don't like redshirting, then work to get the rules changed.

And no, I didn't redshirt -- I sent my kid early. Also following the rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Why not just admit the redshirting?

Because people are sanctimonious jerks about redshirting. Read any thread about redshirting on this board for an example.

Reading DCUM has made me actively support redshirting. [/quot
Um, no, the reshirters are the sanctimonious jerks. They have to be, to support their gaming of the system.

You clearly have issues. If the school system allows parents to send their kids one year late, how is that "gaming the system"? A lot of kids who start K a year late have social or articulation problems, as PPs have discussed.

[Anonymous]

Believe me, the school would rather have kids who are "ready" than those who are immature and not ready.