If you had a bright little boy with a birthday at the end of April, would you consider holding him back a year and starting him in kindergarten when he is 6 or would you stick with convention and start him in kindergarten when he is 5? What if he were born in May, June, July, or August?
I'm really curious to find out what my friends think and why. For the longest time I've been sure that I'd send Luke to kindergarten this next year, but now I'm rethinking a few things. Thanks in advance!
11 comments:
I went to Kindergarten when I was five, and I was way more of a sissy than Luke. I was surrounded by three sisters! But in all seriousness, I think he'll be fine either way.
I've always thought of April birthdays as being just fine to start school at age five and turn six towards the end of the year. Luke certainly won't be the youngest in his class either. Joe had a birthday in April. Lauren in May. They handled it fine. :)
Now... August is the month I'd start considering holding a kid back a year just because a year can make a big difference for things like physical growth for sports, but also dating and driving, etc. However, I think I'd check out who Reddic's potential friends might be. My bro-in-law has a birthday in August and he was the youngest in his class. He started that young because his parents saw better opportunities for friends in that particular class... and they were right! He turned out just fine too. Although, everyone thinks he might've won State Wrestling if he had another year to grow. Who knows?
That's just my two cents. We'll see what happens when I put my kiddos in school!
Well I don't have a boy but Elodie was 4 when she started kindergarten. She didn't turn 5 until september 3rd. She had done preschool the whole year before and would have died if she would have had to repeat preschool again. She was ready. I think it's personal. I don't think you will regret any decision you make.
I have been pondering this same question about my oldest son as well. I mean I still have a year to even worry about it but I am already worrying! He will turn 5 next May. I wish I could tell you which way I have been leaning cuz I am not sure either. I am thinking of holding him back just because they are in school for the rest of their lives. Also with Capri having a sept 8th birthday it would put them 3 grades apart and I am not sure I am a fan of that either. But I also don't want to hold him back either - ahhhh it's such a battle in my head!!! What are you thinking about doing??? My sister has a boy who turned 5 the first of August. There was no doubt in her head for keeping him home with her for another year. So I wonder is 3 months really that different?? I also read an article on how holding back kids with birthdays after Jan - give them more of an advance in school rather than starting them in the "typical" grade. It said they have more confidence and better self esteem. but ahhh I am torn - hahaha!!
With Luke's birthday it is a tough choice. One thing to think about is if you hold him back he will leave on his mission right after he graduates high school which I think is great. Chad left on his mission in july after he graduated and he has said he was glad it was that way. Also I was reading an article in one of my parents magazines that said holding back boys is a good thing because they are not really ready to sit in a structured classroom . they need hands on activities and freedom to be active. Ecksen won't start school until the year he turns 3 because he has a late birthday but if he had an earlier birthday I would be holding him back. You will know when the time comes what feels right.
This is just my personal opinion but the older the boy the better. Boys just tend to need a little more time to mature than girls do and like LeMae said...consider their mission. But if you feel he's ready then send him. Its a big decision and its hard but whatever you decide...will be the right one. Save him one more year and Ridge and him will go together :)
I started Derek when he was 4... he handled it great. It just depends on the kid... I ended up having him repeat Kindergarten again anyway more for social reasons because he was the youngest one. It was the best thing for him and gave him a great foundation having kindergarten twice. Paige and Kevin have June birthdays and started Kindergarten. They too are doing great, but I am considering having them repeat so they will be among the oldest and not youngest.. I would start him, you can always have him repeat...
I think it really depends on the kid. Bode turned 5 last March.
He was so ready to go. He needs to be kept busy and he was getting bored at home. And worse I was getting so worn down by this little boy who constantly needed something to do, literally all day long or he would find things to to that would get him into trouble. Now that he is being challenged at school we are both having a much better time at home.
But I wouldn't have thought twice about keeping him home if I thought he wouldn't handle school well.
I also agree with the comment that someone made about the friends your son will be going to school with or just social reasons. My mom held my oldest brother back in the 6th grade because she didn't like the boys in the grade he was in. It made a huge difference with him in school, with friends and in sports.
Go with your gut. You knew what is right for him.
I don't think there is anything wrong with sending him to school if you think he is ready. You know Luke better than anyone. I had a brother that has an August birthday and my parents held him back. It seemed to work well for him. My sister has a son with a June birthday and decided to wait a year for him also. April is a bit older though. Tough choice. Good luck!
I can give advice because I was born in August and my mom started me anyway. As far as school went, I was totally fine, but when I hit sophmore year in high school things got hard, socially. I couldn't date and all my friends could. Thinking of that from a boys standpoint, I would totally wait. Having all of your friends dating, driving, doing all the things you want to do but can't yet is really frustrating. Everything is so much easier when they are the oldest in their grade. Also, unless he is really SUPER mature, I'd wait. You don't see the difference as much when they are young, but when they hit 4th grade I've had more than one teacher tell me that the younger students usually have a really tough time adjusting. Felicity (my oldest) is a June baby and we started her anyway. We had no problem until she hit 4th grade. UGH. I could talk for an hour, but basically we've had a hard couple of years. I wish I would have waited to put her in. School wise she is doing fine, but she isn't as mature as her other classmates so socially she doesn't fit in as well. It's hard.
I can give advice because I was born in August and my mom started me anyway. As far as school went, I was totally fine, but when I hit sophmore year in high school things got hard, socially. I couldn't date and all my friends could. Thinking of that from a boys standpoint, I would totally wait. Having all of your friends dating, driving, doing all the things you want to do but can't yet is really frustrating. Everything is so much easier when they are the oldest in their grade. Also, unless he is really SUPER mature, I'd wait. You don't see the difference as much when they are young, but when they hit 4th grade I've had more than one teacher tell me that the younger students usually have a really tough time adjusting. Felicity (my oldest) is a June baby and we started her anyway. We had no problem until she hit 4th grade. UGH. I could talk for an hour, but basically we've had a hard couple of years. I wish I would have waited to put her in. School wise she is doing fine, but she isn't as mature as her other classmates so socially she doesn't fit in as well. It's hard.
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