Kinder angst
Will holding your 5-year-old back a year lead to success in kindergarten, and later, in life?
A study says not really.
But my husband and I did give Firstborn Son an extra year of preschool. Joseph entered kinder at his Arcadia school when he was 5 but he turned 6 three months later. All but 5 of his classmates also turned 6 before the year ended, and his kindergarten teacher said the difference in maturity is noticeable.
I think we made the right decision. When Firstborn Son was one of the youngest in his preschool class, he was easily swayed by the "older boys," who were markedly more assertive and confident. Everything they said was gospel to Joseph. ("Mama, Eric said he saw a sea monster!" and nothing I said could convince him otherwise.)
A study says not really.
But my husband and I did give Firstborn Son an extra year of preschool. Joseph entered kinder at his Arcadia school when he was 5 but he turned 6 three months later. All but 5 of his classmates also turned 6 before the year ended, and his kindergarten teacher said the difference in maturity is noticeable.
I think we made the right decision. When Firstborn Son was one of the youngest in his preschool class, he was easily swayed by the "older boys," who were markedly more assertive and confident. Everything they said was gospel to Joseph. ("Mama, Eric said he saw a sea monster!" and nothing I said could convince him otherwise.)
I wanted Joseph to have a higher level of confidence going into kindergarten, and he did. Because he'd been in preschool since he was 3, he was also a seasoned student, able to follow instructions, sit still, manipulate the social challenges of a class. I made sure he remained challenged academically and that the curriculum never bored him. He sailed through kinder academically, and loved every minute. And the fact that most of his class are his age is a big plus.
I've also spoken to other parents who now regret pushing their sons as "young kinders." Of five boys, three were told they needed to repeat first grade. (Only one actually did, the parents of the other two protested the retention because their sons were keeping up academically, if not socially.) My friend Robert tells me if they had it over to do again, they would have had Josh start kinder later.
I think this matters most with boys. But as always, every child is different. I could see mine would thrive as an older kinder and I believe I was right. Whether this is the edge he needs to uber succeed, I don't think so. As parents, we want to give our kids every advantage. I'll let you know when Firstborn Son graduates from elementary school in 2016.
Meanwhile, with a bow to summer, here's Firstborn Son displaying an ice cream sundae he made on the last day of school. Can the first day be far behind? Egads!
I've also spoken to other parents who now regret pushing their sons as "young kinders." Of five boys, three were told they needed to repeat first grade. (Only one actually did, the parents of the other two protested the retention because their sons were keeping up academically, if not socially.) My friend Robert tells me if they had it over to do again, they would have had Josh start kinder later.
I think this matters most with boys. But as always, every child is different. I could see mine would thrive as an older kinder and I believe I was right. Whether this is the edge he needs to uber succeed, I don't think so. As parents, we want to give our kids every advantage. I'll let you know when Firstborn Son graduates from elementary school in 2016.
Meanwhile, with a bow to summer, here's Firstborn Son displaying an ice cream sundae he made on the last day of school. Can the first day be far behind? Egads!
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