Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you want your child to be a leader or follower? Being the youngest or oldest in class does have a heavy influence on their character and the traits they develop.

That’s a huge generalization. My DD is one of the youngest, and I’ve heard from every teacher that she’s a leader in class. That’s just her personality.

No one is talking about your daughter specifically. It is a generalization. Not a huge one, one that is true more
often than not. The youngest kids in class are generally looking for cues from others: be is social, academic, behavioral..opposite for the oldest.

Would you rather have a leader in first grade (redshirt) or a leader in later school years (youngest) -

https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/youngest-kid-smartest-kid

There are advantages to being the youngest...

Both you and this article are conflating “leadership” with performing well on standardized tests.

I posted at 9:22 and am back again. There are so many generalized blanket statements on this board. Worrying about your kids being a leader or a follower because they are either a few months younger, or a few months older, is silly. I was always the youngest at school, and I had many leadership roles...in high school and in college. I had no problem saying no to things that I did not want to do. I also had not a problem with my kid being one of the youngest kids in class. Not everyone is trying to pit their child against others. Just take a look at your kid, and really think about whether or not another year of preschool would benefit them now. Do not worry about going to college at 17 or 19, being the first or last to drive, being smaller or larger than the other kids. Honestly, all of these things balance out. They do! Talk to your spouse and ask why they want to redshirt. Are they considering your child's current emotional state and trying to give the kid another year to mature so that they will like school? This comes down to ignoring everyone else's opinions (mine too if you want to!) and having the two parents sit down and really talk about what they want the kid's school experience to be. What would be the dream? What do you each think it would be like next year based on the kid's temperament? If you start to talk this out and really listen to why the other thinks the way they do, you can figure it out.

My Dd is a late late august bday. Shes going on time because shes ready (second kid). And it terrifies me a little that by HS there will be boys a 18 months older than her in her class.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m about to enter the DC private school scene with my early April birthday DS4. Redshirting didn’t occur to me until recently when I was asked about it.

-he was a late talker and still has some OT issues
-no behavioral issues
-very tall
-loves sports but is only okay so far

Is this a scenario where locals would redshirt ? Would schools even allow it?

I would consult the school about academic placement. I would not redshirt an April kid though unless he was tested and determined by that specific school to not be eligible to start K

My son was also late talker and born on March 30th. We are in private school and some of the other moms suggested redshirting him. The school did not however. I am all in favor of redshirting July and August birthdays that need it, but March or April? No. Plenty of Spring birthdays in my other kids’ classes and I would not want my son to be over a year older than some of his classmates.
In our private schools also it every July and Agust birthday kids are redshirted. Many June birthdays too. A couple of Mays birthdays. I have never heard of March or April kids being redshirted.

A late talker talking fine by 3 or 4 is no big deal. People push others to hold back their kids to justify their choices.

And people push others to not redshirt because they are terrified of their kid being the very youngest, despite all the benefits they tout on here.

I like the idea of letting the child attend K this year. If he seems at a disadvantage, have him repeat at a private school the following year. That being said, I do not know your child. My husband (an August birthday), my son (a late July birthday...currently a senior in high school), and I (a December birthday...I started K at age 4) all attended school on time as some of the youngest in our classes. This worked for us. My nephew (a late June birthday...currently in middle school) was redshirted for a year due to his emotional immaturity and it was the best thing that could have happened to him. In my son's case, there were two other boys who born the same week in his preschool class. The teacher suggested they be redshirted. In our case, she suggested that our child start school on time. I think that it really depends on the kid. Is your child mature enough to spend a full day at school. Does he want to learn, can he control his feelings? If so, send him. If you take the birthday out of the equation, do you think that your child will be successful (I am not talking about grades) in K next year? Do you think they will be happy there? These are the questions that I would consider. I know that this seems like a huge decision now, but someday you will look back and realize that it all works out. Worse case, you end up having your child repeat K at a private for one year. Either decision will have pros and cons and you and your spouse have to come to an agreement together. Just remember that you both have your child's best interests at heart, and are both trying to set your kid up for success. Best of luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you want your child to be a leader or follower? Being the youngest or oldest in class does have a heavy influence on their character and the traits they develop.

That’s a huge generalization. My DD is one of the youngest, and I’ve heard from every teacher that she’s a leader in class. That’s just her personality.

No one is talking about your daughter specifically. It is a generalization. Not a huge one, one that is true more
often than not. The youngest kids in class are generally looking for cues from others: be is social, academic, behavioral..opposite for the oldest.

Would you rather have a leader in first grade (redshirt) or a leader in later school years (youngest) -

https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/youngest-kid-smartest-kid

There are advantages to being the youngest...

My redshirted kid was high school valedictorian

Getting good grades and being a leader aren’t the same thing

This means nothing if they are older and take easy classes.

NP. Are you making up scenarios? No one said anything about taking easy classes. Regardless of age, kids need a challenge. There are plenty of AP classes, dual college enrollment, gifted programs available to challenge. Or parents can provide that at home as well. Not being challenged shouldn’t be part of the red shirting conversation- since there are always avenues available to provide academic rigor

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m about to enter the DC private school scene with my early April birthday DS4. Redshirting didn’t occur to me until recently when I was asked about it.

-he was a late talker and still has some OT issues
-no behavioral issues
-very tall
-loves sports but is only okay so far

Is this a scenario where locals would redshirt ? Would schools even allow it?

I would consult the school about academic placement. I would not redshirt an April kid though unless he was tested and determined by that specific school to not be eligible to start K

My son was also late talker and born on March 30th. We are in private school and some of the other moms suggested redshirting him. The school did not however. I am all in favor of redshirting July and August birthdays that need it, but March or April? No. Plenty of Spring birthdays in my other kids’ classes and I would not want my son to be over a year older than some of his classmates.
In our private schools also it every July and Agust birthday kids are redshirted. Many June birthdays too. A couple of Mays birthdays. I have never heard of March or April kids being redshirted.

A late talker talking fine by 3 or 4 is no big deal. People push others to hold back their kids to justify their choices.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you want your child to be a leader or follower? Being the youngest or oldest in class does have a heavy influence on their character and the traits they develop.

That’s a huge generalization. My DD is one of the youngest, and I’ve heard from every teacher that she’s a leader in class. That’s just her personality.

No one is talking about your daughter specifically. It is a generalization. Not a huge one, one that is true more
often than not. The youngest kids in class are generally looking for cues from others: be is social, academic, behavioral..opposite for the oldest.

Would you rather have a leader in first grade (redshirt) or a leader in later school years (youngest) -

https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/youngest-kid-smartest-kid

There are advantages to being the youngest...

My redshirted kid was high school valedictorian

Getting good grades and being a leader aren’t the same thing

This means nothing if they are older and take easy classes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you want your child to be a leader or follower? Being the youngest or oldest in class does have a heavy influence on their character and the traits they develop.

That’s a huge generalization. My DD is one of the youngest, and I’ve heard from every teacher that she’s a leader in class. That’s just her personality.

No one is talking about your daughter specifically. It is a generalization. Not a huge one, one that is true more
often than not. The youngest kids in class are generally looking for cues from others: be is social, academic, behavioral..opposite for the oldest.

Would you rather have a leader in first grade (redshirt) or a leader in later school years (youngest) -

https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/youngest-kid-smartest-kid

There are advantages to being the youngest...

My redshirted kid was high school valedictorian

Getting good grades and being a leader aren’t the same thing

PP said there are advantages to being the Youngest. The other PP is pointing out there are advantages to being older. We all know this which is why people are up in arms about the idea of redshirting. They think people are "cheating" not that they are actually harming their kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you want your child to be a leader or follower? Being the youngest or oldest in class does have a heavy influence on their character and the traits they develop.

That’s a huge generalization. My DD is one of the youngest, and I’ve heard from every teacher that she’s a leader in class. That’s just her personality.

No one is talking about your daughter specifically. It is a generalization. Not a huge one, one that is true more
often than not. The youngest kids in class are generally looking for cues from others: be is social, academic, behavioral..opposite for the oldest.

Would you rather have a leader in first grade (redshirt) or a leader in later school years (youngest) -

https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/youngest-kid-smartest-kid

There are advantages to being the youngest...

My redshirted kid was high school valedictorian

Getting good grades and being a leader aren’t the same thing

Send him to a private K to see how he does. Then if he needs remediation, enroll him in public K.

When in doubt, red shirt them…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m about to enter the DC private school scene with my early April birthday DS4. Redshirting didn’t occur to me until recently when I was asked about it.

-he was a late talker and still has some OT issues
-no behavioral issues
-very tall
-loves sports but is only okay so far

Is this a scenario where locals would redshirt ? Would schools even allow it?

I would consult the school about academic placement. I would not redshirt an April kid though unless he was tested and determined by that specific school to not be eligible to start K

My son was also late talker and born on March 30th. We are in private school and some of the other moms suggested redshirting him. The school did not however. I am all in favor of redshirting July and August birthdays that need it, but March or April? No. Plenty of Spring birthdays in my other kids’ classes and I would not want my son to be over a year older than some of his classmates.
In our private schools also it every July and Agust birthday kids are redshirted. Many June birthdays too. A couple of Mays birthdays. I have never heard of March or April kids being redshirted.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you want your child to be a leader or follower? Being the youngest or oldest in class does have a heavy influence on their character and the traits they develop.

That’s a huge generalization. My DD is one of the youngest, and I’ve heard from every teacher that she’s a leader in class. That’s just her personality.

No one is talking about your daughter specifically. It is a generalization. Not a huge one, one that is true more
often than not. The youngest kids in class are generally looking for cues from others: be is social, academic, behavioral..opposite for the oldest.

Would you rather have a leader in first grade (redshirt) or a leader in later school years (youngest) -

https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/youngest-kid-smartest-kid

There are advantages to being the youngest...

My redshirted kid was high school valedictorian