If you are redshirting, how will you keep your kid stimulated?

[Anonymous]

NP, but I’m so co fused. Isn’t school for learning, be it social skills, time skills, academics, etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about:
https://easternridgeschool.org/kindergarten/

Thank you!!!!
-OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
+1. OP seems to think K is all work, and not developmentally appropriate. There is a lot of play and attention to socioemotional development in the early grades at our school.

I've had one and a half children go through K (one's mid-year) and in FCPS it seems like a pretty miserable experience these days. Only a half hour of outside recess! Maybe we're just unlucky in the school we're zoned into.

OPs preschool sounds exactly like my pre-school (gosh, I wonder if it IS our pre-school, is it in Oakton?), and we will be facing the same decision another year down the line.

In previous years we've seen one family just move their child to a different, slightly longer pre-school. Another family found a part-time, private Kindergarten; their plan was to send the child to a public K afterwards. Otherwise, there's a *ton* of stuff during the day on Parktakes for kids five and under. Swimming, gymnastics, art, etc. Just search for classes at the rec centers & parks near you.

No, our preschool isn’t in Oakton but it’s not far. Thank you for your response. I can’t believe the hateful responses I’m getting on here, especially the ones calling me “unstable” - jeez, was not expecting that reaction.
Thanks to those who offered nonjudgmental and helpful suggestions.
-OP

Ignore the irrational redshirt haters. They are stupid and can't do basic math. Or, if you want a laugh, have them guess the age of your child as a HS senior.

[Anonymous]

We did this with my daughter with a sept bday and put her at country day in mclean for a year. She was able to do all day, but it was more relaxed & play based than K. She still came out learning to read, and it made her K year really enjoyable.
It was the perfect solution. It's probably late in the game to apply but it might be worth getting on the waitlist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uhmm...he's 4. He's stimulated by life. I actually think the time he spends sitting in preschool is one of the least stimulating parts of his day.

So true. Kids do not need official “stimulation” all day to be engaged in learning.

[Anonymous]

We looked at a several transition year programs but in the end just had him repeat a year at his play-based daycare in a different class. Convenience and cost played a large roll in our decision, and we didn't want to move him somewhere unfamiliar and then start K the next year. At first he seemed so old in his class after he had been the youngest in the years before, but by January we had gotten used to the new dynamic. The veteran teachers were really good about challenging each kid at the level they were comfortable.

I also did how to read in 100 easy lessons with him at home that year and is was reading by K.

If you don't think you will be happy with just the current preschool, I like the idea of putting your child in a private k and then deciding next year if you want to start public in K or 1st.

In general I think having a kid close to cut-off is sucky and you just have to try and make the best of it. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Your kid will be fine OP.

I think school is more about socializing and letting to follow protocol until about the age of 10.


My kindergartner(not redshirted-in the middle of the pack in age) is two grades ahead in reading and advanced in Math as well.

Keeping her stimulated has never been a problem. She loves school, loves playing with her friends, loves her teacher etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We looked at a several transition year programs but in the end just had him repeat a year at his play-based daycare in a different class. Convenience and cost played a large roll in our decision, and we didn't want to move him somewhere unfamiliar and then start K the next year. At first he seemed so old in his class after he had been the youngest in the years before, but by January we had gotten used to the new dynamic. The veteran teachers were really good about challenging each kid at the level they were comfortable.

I also did how to read in 100 easy lessons with him at home that year and is was reading by K.

If you don't think you will be happy with just the current preschool, I like the idea of putting your child in a private k and then deciding next year if you want to start public in K or 1st.

In general I think having a kid close to cut-off is sucky and you just have to try and make the best of it. Good luck!

Thank you for this!!!
-OP

[Anonymous]

I'm in MD (Montgonery County), but I'm confident that Virginia would have similar resources.

Our rec centers (city and county) offer great programs.

Local nature centers and libraries often have special events.

Classes in the artsc: In MD we have Glen Echo. Private arts schools (VisArts) offer classes. Music stores (Music & Arts) offer private music lessons.

Athletics: In addition to swimming and ball sports, you might consider alternatives like gymnastics, ice skating, climbing, horseback riding, dance, etc. I don't have direct experience with all of these and I suspect age requirements will vary by provider.

I think a lot of places offer activities for homeschoolers. Local homeschooling groups might be able to offer you additional ideas.

[Anonymous]

I was a September baby, and did fine.. Send him to kindergarten. If your child needs full day stimulation, send him. I do not understand the thinking behind this. My August grandson will start kindergarten in the fall. It’s free and he’s ready. Why pay all that money to keep him back?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Waaaahhhh, my kid needs “the gift of another year,” so I’m going to redshirt him.
.
.
.
Waaaaaahhhhh, my kid is so advanced and bored, now I need to supplement with outside academics so he doesn’t get bored.

It’s almost asinine. If nothing else, the kid gets held back, but has a leg up the next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a September baby, and did fine.. Send him to kindergarten. If your child needs full day stimulation, send him. I do not understand the thinking behind this. My August grandson will start kindergarten in the fall. It’s free and he’s ready. Why pay all that money to keep him back?

This

[Anonymous]

Why can’t you just go to the park in the afternoon like the rest of us do?