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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Friendly acquaintance posted a "back to school" pic of her son complete with his age (6.75 years) and grade (Junior First/ Prep First/ whatever your private school calls it).  This little boy has a late fall birthday!!! He is going to be almost 8 years old when he starts first grade.  Meanwhile, my child has a July birthday and I cannot afford private so he will be starting K right after he turns 5 and starting first right after he turns 6.  He and this child are going to be almost 2 full years apart while in the same grade.  I KNOW, it doesn't affect me in the slightest especially since he isn't even at my child's school.  But it makes me so angry!  My child is a little socially immature and I am worried he is not only going to be chronologically the youngest when he starts real school but he is going to be socially young for his age too, making it so much harder for him if his classroom is full of kids who are 7 when he is only 5.  Ugh.  Vent over.  Side note- does anyone know if redshirting is as prevalent in public schools? [/quote]

This is not about the kid redshirted, this is about your insecurity about you kid being too immature and you too cheap to give him the gift of a year. Your kid will be be behind and that's your choice.[/quote]

That's just a cruel thing to say.  Some people can't afford that! [/quote]

It's also backwards.  Sending a child to kindergarten on time won't make them "behind".  Holding them back a year will make them "behind".  [/quote]

You say this like kindergarten is the only source of knowledge and learning in the world.  Be honest.  The sum total of kindergarten academics could probably be taught to an average five-year old in a week in a one-on-one setting. I'm exaggerating of course but you get the point. [/quote]

It always baffles me that people think K is about the academic content that the children will learn.  You're right- it could be taught in a week, by a patient and motivated teacher and a motivated and eager child.  K is about socialization, group activities, learning how to be in a school environment and follow classroom rules, etc.  You can't teach that in a week.  And it absolutely matters if one kid is over a year younger than everyone else- they will be unable to fully benefit from this transition into formal schooling because the teachers will be forced to tailor the class activities to the interests of kids who are 6.5-7 years old instead of 5 years old.  A 7 year old isn't going to be interested in sitting in a circle singing the "Hello" song from Music Together, or dancing to the ABCs as a group.  A 7 year old will say that's babyish, and make fun of the babies who would actually enjoy something like this- something geared towards 5 year olds- like K should be.  [/quote]

Exactly.  That is why K is reserved for 5 and 6 year olds, so the 7 year olds are not bored -- not only that year, but every year thereafter![/quote]

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