When to start kindergarten?

Julie - posted on 05/25/2010

I'm don't know where u all live but I'm from Tamworth Australia. My son Jayden turned 5 in February this year i was unsure whether he was ready cos he couldn't say his abc's or count past 3 but i listened to my guts instinct & sent him but i was lucky cos the school I enrolled him in to has a young starters program for those that aren't quite ready for school but are old enough and for those who are a little younger than their peers. See if there is a school in your town that may offer this sort of program.

Amanda - posted on 05/25/2010

I don't know where you all live... but here in the Houston area, the only part of school that is optional is pre-k.. our kids start K when they are 5yrs old by Sept 1 that year. I don't believe it is an option. My oldest was in a head start program at 3 and at age 4 in pre-k and age 5 K. I believe your son is ready... he is doing great academically. why keep him behind. there nothing wrong with not being confident around a room full of strangers he doesn't know. he's probably just shy. the best thing to do is talk to him. praise him more. encourage him to make friends and set up play dates on the weekends, invite another classmate over to your home. etc. don't worry so much. i'm sure everything will be fine. i do think it would be hard convincing your husband to keep him back

Candice - posted on 05/25/2010

Althought I have girls, I put my oldest in to Kindergarten when she was just 4. I have struggled with that decision until she hit Grade 3. She was academically ready but the social aspect comes in to play so much. She is and always will be one of the youngest in the class but has managed to finally transition after 4 years. Go with your gut, and if you feel the first year of Kindergarten is too much for him you can always hold him back.

Brenda - posted on 05/25/2010

Thanks Shannon. My instincts are telling me to hold him back. My husband would be hard to convince b/c he thinks he needs the chance and could repeat K. Couple reasons I am unsure: 1) Potential sensory processing issue but he's borderline. Although these may not diminish with another year of preschool, which is Montessori, not traditional, his confidence and maturity will be improved. that may help everything overall. 2) The class going in is 75% girls. I suppose that's good from some perpspectives but I was hoping he'd have more boy buddies to choose from. 3) My mom friends all have girls who will be in his class. I worry he'll want to be with them. However, in pre-workshops theyve had for the incoming class, he won't let me leave the room, regardless of which friends are there. Sooo hard. I appreciate your input!

Shannon - posted on 05/25/2010

My son's birthday is September 15th and we were lucky because his school had a transitional kinder, which meant he went to kinder for two years. This helped his maturity a great deal. Now he is successful and focused. He'll be 7 not long after starting first grade, but I think it was best.
If your son has had two years of preschool, he may be ready academically. If you are not against it, hold him back again if you think he's not mature enough for first grade. Ultimately you know your child and what's best for him. You know if he's ready or not. Trust your instincts. That's what it came down to for me.