Calm yourself. I'm not redshirting my September boy. This 'holding kids back' business is out of control and nonsense.

As a teacher, I put more credit in my own anecdotal observation. Each child is different. Some benefit from another year. Maturity is a difficult thing to define--you know it when you see it. Don't keep kids back because they are "slow".

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people don't red-shirt. Send him on time unless he has a learning disability.

As a teacher, I will tell you that the Last reason you should redshirt him is a learning disability. Maturity is the only reason I would redshirt him.

Can you elaborate? TIA.

Maturity wise, it has been shown to even out by grade 3. No evidence points to any benefits to holding kids back when they are in the range of normal and that range is wide at age 5.

If your child is currently in pre k - are you considering putting them a year back to be with 2-3 yr olds when they are 4-5? You would be unlikely to do that - why do it with school.

I lived in an area where there is no red shirting and the cut off to start K is Dec 31st so there are many 4 year olds in K. Shocker but they all manage just fine and grow, develop and learn just like their peers. People here have very low expectations of their kids.

Where is the evidence for the bolded sentence? I've read the reports stating that intellectually kids even out by 3rd grade but haven't seen anything about maturity evening out by then.

I can state from my personal experience that my child would not have fit your claim. Also, by 3rd grade your immature child has already been labeled and received a reputation as "that kid". Unless your moving to get a fresh start, you can be sure the playdates are not going to all of the sudden be rolling in when this magical 3rd grade maturity kicks in. The teachers have already heard about your wiggly kid and so have all the parents.

OP, we were in the same situation, on the fence, with a timid and not physically active child (August birthday). Our pediatrician told us if he's ready, you'd be doing a disservice not to send him. A year behind, he'd be bored and might dislike school for that reason. In the meantime, get him active in a lot more physical stuff. He can surprise you and do a lot of growing and coming out between now and next September. We took that advice, and he's doing just fine.

I lived in an area where there is no red shirting and the cut off to start K is Dec 31st so there are many 4 year olds in K. Shocker but they all manage just fine and grow, develop and learn just like their peers. People here have very low expectations of their kids.

Believe me, the curriculum is different when you have a Dec 31 cutoff. I taught K in such a school. Nothing wrong with it, but it is not like what they require here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Most people don't red-shirt. Send him on time unless he has a learning disability.

As a teacher, I will tell you that the Last reason you should redshirt him is a learning disability. Maturity is the only reason I would redshirt him.

Can you elaborate? TIA.

Maturity wise, it has been shown to even out by grade 3. No evidence points to any benefits to holding kids back when they are in the range of normal and that range is wide at age 5.

If your child is currently in pre k - are you considering putting them a year back to be with 2-3 yr olds when they are 4-5? You would be unlikely to do that - why do it with school.

I lived in an area where there is no red shirting and the cut off to start K is Dec 31st so there are many 4 year olds in K. Shocker but they all manage just fine and grow, develop and learn just like their peers. People here have very low expectations of their kids.

I redshirted my late June boy. He has medical issues and was not mature enough emotionally or physically to enter on time. It would have been disastrous for him.

He's doing great now in 5th grade and is right where he should be. He is still the smallest child in the class but it would have been much worse had he gone on time. Socially he is also where he should be and has plenty of friends whereas it would have been harder for him to make friends with the peer group a grade above.

You have to do what's best for your individual child and not worry about what others are thinking or how others are judging your decision for your kid.

He will live. I was a mid-June birthday and not only did I survive, I was one of the top in my class. People need to stop over thinking and trying to control every little thing when it comes to their kids.

Both kids born in summer (June and mid-August) and both are thriving. June one got in GT for next year. Yes, he's one of the smaller ones, but still has great friends. I never for a mili-second thought to redshirt. I think redshirting for no other reason than to give an "edge" is ridiculous. It's dumbing down your child. That's not an edge...that's thinking your child can't hack it amongst his peers so he needs to be with younger kids to stand out. If child is otherwise ready, especially academically, don't you think by redshirting, your child will be bored in class, and then because he is not challenged, he'll just cruise along and think that everything is easy, until it's not when he's older?

Anonymous wrote:He'll be the youngest and the smallest. Are you okay with that? Will you be okay with that when he's 10? 16?

remember -- just because he's small at 4 doesn't mean he'll be the smallest at 10 or even 16. Among my 14 year old son's friends, the smallest 4 year old is currently the tallest and the biggest 4 year old is currently the shortest.

Anonymous wrote:

Most people don't red-shirt. Send him on time unless he has a learning disability.

As a teacher, I will tell you that the Last reason you should redshirt him is a learning disability. Maturity is the only reason I would redshirt him.

Can you elaborate? TIA.

Most people don't red-shirt. Send him on time unless he has a learning disability.

As a teacher, I will tell you that the Last reason you should redshirt him is a learning disability. Maturity is the only reason I would redshirt him.

Most people don't red-shirt. Send him on time unless he has a learning disability.

It depends on the kid. I have two boys - both july. We sent one and held one. It was the correct choice for each child. You will know your own child when the time for the call comes.

Height of the boys doesn't matter after 5th grade - the girls are taller for the next 4 years!!

Good advice. Go with your gut--and don't listen to advice from a forum! Except for mine, of course.

It depends on the kid. I have two boys - both july. We sent one and held one. It was the correct choice for each child. You will know your own child when the time for the call comes.

Height of the boys doesn't matter after 5th grade - the girls are taller for the next 4 years!!