Redshirting question (DD with bday 4 days before cutoff)

[Anonymous]

DD's birthday is 4 days before the MoCo cutoff. We're sending her to public school, and the school is pretty diverse socioeconomically (not a Bethesda school where everyone redshirts). DD is super verbal, but not reading or anything yet (we haven't focused on that). No special needs that we're aware of. The only reason I'd consider delaying a year is that she's socially on the younger side. She gets really scared watching shows that even younger kids enjoy (think PJ Masks), enjoys playing with younger kids, and seems to bear the brunt of mean girl shenanigans already. It's not K I'm worried about; I'm thinking ahead to middle and high school and wondering if she wouldn't do better being on the older end of the class. She's the oldest sibling, and I've read that younger siblings tend to be more mature socially, or at least scrappier (by necessity). She's definitely a sweet, sincere kid, and I don't want to make her grow up too fast. Anyone BTDT?

[Anonymous]

Focus on reading and send her.

[Anonymous]

All my kids started kinder at age 4, and flourished.

Do you give her lots of play dates with kids her age, or do you just have her playing with her younger siblings so that's why she is naturally attracted to younger kids?

[Anonymous]

I would seek out the advice of her preschool teacher to inform your decision.

[Anonymous]

Send on time. The curriculum really hasn't changed much since cutoff was moved from dec 31 to sep 1 anyway.

Absolutely DO NOT put any weight on nursery school opinion. They are always trying to sell another year to anyone who will fall for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD's birthday is 4 days before the MoCo cutoff. We're sending her to public school, and the school is pretty diverse socioeconomically (not a Bethesda school where everyone redshirts). DD is super verbal, but not reading or anything yet (we haven't focused on that). No special needs that we're aware of. The only reason I'd consider delaying a year is that she's socially on the younger side. She gets really scared watching shows that even younger kids enjoy (think PJ Masks), enjoys playing with younger kids, and seems to bear the brunt of mean girl shenanigans already. It's not K I'm worried about; I'm thinking ahead to middle and high school and wondering if she wouldn't do better being on the older end of the class. She's the oldest sibling, and I've read that younger siblings tend to be more mature socially, or at least scrappier (by necessity). She's definitely a sweet, sincere kid, and I don't want to make her grow up too fast. Anyone BTDT?

MoCo is really focused on bringing up the low academic performers through about 4th grade. So holding her back will work if she needs something slower than that slowed down MoCo pace. Usually people seem to have a suggestion to hold back from preschool teachers, plus some support for that from pediatrician.

[Anonymous]

Mcps k teacher: give her another year of preschool. You have the option, why not take it? I have not yet met a parent who took the extra year and regretted it. I have met a number who did regret sending them “on time”.
Every child grows and develops at a different rate. Those who are close to the cut off date (within 60 days, I believe for Mcps) are allowed to waiver for a reason.
Ultimately, you know your child best. Do what your gut tells you is best for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Send on time. The curriculum really hasn't changed much since cutoff was moved from dec 31 to sep 1 anyway.

Absolutely DO NOT put any weight on nursery school opinion. They are always trying to sell another year to anyone who will fall for it.

Are you an Mcps teacher who taught both curriculums? Beachwear I am and the expectations for kindergartens has changed dramatically over 20 years.

[Anonymous]

We’re in the same boat. DD’s birthday is a week before the cutoff. Also the oldest sibling, and she’s small for her age. We’ve gone back and forth on this, discussed with her current teacher, pediatrician, and others, and have decided to go ahead and start kindergarten (private) in the fall. Not an easy decision and really depends on the child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Send on time. The curriculum really hasn't changed much since cutoff was moved from dec 31 to sep 1 anyway.

Absolutely DO NOT put any weight on nursery school opinion. They are always trying to sell another year to anyone who will fall for it.

Are you an Mcps teacher who taught both curriculums? Beachwear I am and the expectations for kindergartens has changed dramatically over 20 years.

What exactly are the expectations for kindergarteners now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mcps k teacher: give her another year of preschool. You have the option, why not take it? I have not yet met a parent who took the extra year and regretted it. I have met a number who did regret sending them “on time”.
Every child grows and develops at a different rate. Those who are close to the cut off date (within 60 days, I believe for Mcps) are allowed to waiver for a reason.
Ultimately, you know your child best. Do what your gut tells you is best for her.

Why, so its easier for you? Send her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mcps k teacher: give her another year of preschool. You have the option, why not take it? I have not yet met a parent who took the extra year and regretted it. I have met a number who did regret sending them “on time”.
Every child grows and develops at a different rate. Those who are close to the cut off date (within 60 days, I believe for Mcps) are allowed to waiver for a reason.
Ultimately, you know your child best. Do what your gut tells you is best for her.

Hey MCPS teacher- Im a new poster. Any advice for me? I have a june 18th boy and dont know what to do bc I hear all July boys are being redshirted!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would seek out the advice of her preschool teacher to inform your decision.

They cannot predict the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mcps k teacher: give her another year of preschool. You have the option, why not take it? I have not yet met a parent who took the extra year and regretted it. I have met a number who did regret sending them “on time”.
Every child grows and develops at a different rate. Those who are close to the cut off date (within 60 days, I believe for Mcps) are allowed to waiver for a reason.
Ultimately, you know your child best. Do what your gut tells you is best for her.

Hey MCPS teacher- Im a new poster. Any advice for me? I have a june 18th boy and dont know what to do bc I hear all July boys are being redshirted!

I saw somewhere that only 6% of children are redshirted. The number is probably a little higher in our area, but the overwhelming majority of kids go on time according to the cutoff. But you have to do what makes sense for your child

[Anonymous]

My kid is also four days before the (DC) cutoff. We sent her on time. Yes, she's less mature than her classmates, but really we haven't had any problems. (She also doesn't like "scary" shows, which is pretty much all of them, in her opinion.) Academically, she was ready, and there wasn't really any concrete reason not to send her.

I was the youngest in my class, too, because I started early. Socially it probably was more challenging, but overall I think it was good. I would have been pretty bored doing the same material at a year older.

If people in your area generally send on time, then she'll be the youngest perhaps, but not by that much. She'll be in the range that the teachers are used to, she'll be in the range of her classmates, etc. Don't make a decision out of fear that doesn't have any grounding in the present reality.