Education Discussions

While it does depend on a child's development. A normal "age' is 5, however, some school's advocate waiting till 6 -- especially for boys. In my case I demanded they test his abilities and they found he was far above the development of other 5 yr old boys (boys do develop a little slower than girls - eventually they even out). But I had homeschooled him so he already had K down pat when he went. Course all that has changed now and I am teaching a 3 yr old what I thought she wouldn't need until K. I recommend doing some "home schooling" or a pre-K program with your child to help them better prepare. The disadvantages of being a great deal different in age really do show up later. For example I was younger, started early so everyone was dating and driving before I was. Both my husband and I were only 17 when we went to college. It does cause some social situations. ECI programs in many school districts are available to help you with assessing your child's learning level. The assessment is free -especially if you have some concerns. Additional assistance is available either for free or a small charge should you need them. Hope this helps!

Lisa is right, age does matter and will make a difference down the line.  I remember one girl that was held back and started later.... so everyone always kind of teased her for being a year older.  Some didn't understand why she was a year older than the rest of us.  Unless your child is really challenged, it's best to get them into K by the age of 5 so at least t hey are about the average age of everyone else.

I also was 17 when I started college and my youngest daughter who turned 18 in September was one of the younger ones throughout school but I thought she was ready. I could have held her back but didn't. She's a doctor now:) Jo

I started kindergarten when I was 4 years and 8 months old. That made me the youngest kid in my high school class and I also started college at 17. I don't think I was unusually disruptive in kindergarten or elementary school, although I was almost always intensely bored in school. I was a little smaller than the other kids in my class but not so much that I thought about it at the time.

--Bob

I work for Head Start (preschool) and we deal with this every year about this time with parents wondering if their child is ready to go on to kindergarten or not.  Sometimes we are able to keep the child for one more year as it is in their best interest.  There are also times when we say to ourselves... he's not ready for kindergarten, but there's nothing we can do as it is basically a fault of their environment and nothing we can assist with.

A lot of it really depends on the child.  In most states the "legal" age is 5 (though some have 6).  It varies from state to state whether the cut off is September or December but generally it's 5.  For the vast majority of children this is the time they are ready for school.  Most schools are now going to a full-day model... here in Michigan it is actually becoming mandetory through state regs.  Some children are now ready for a full day yet.  This also means that fewer and fewer schools are offering a "young fives/developmental kindergarten" program.  Many districts also have testing to determine if children are ready or not.  Things to look for and think about include

- the children's social abilities: is the child socially and emotionally immature? more than likely they could use another year of preschool style programming.

- the child's cognitive abilities: does he/she catch on to things or do you feel there is a delay?  if you feel there is a delay make sure to contact the school district as they all should offer Special Education services for that age.

- can the child handle a full day?  some of that goes back to soc emo development  but it is a question that should be asked.

Remember many times children will respond diferently in a school environment than they do at home.  I have a preschooler and I have no doubts he would follow a school schedule and complete teacher activities, but if I try to get him to do certain things at home he wants no part of it.

One of the things we learned recently is that it is actually better for children to wait to go to kindergarten, than to be retained for any grade - even kindergarten. 

I think 6 is a fine age to start. In my experience some 5 year olds may not be ready just yet.

I think that it is a parents call rather they start their kid at 5 or 6. I personally felt my child was ready at 5, which she did go to pre-k. Some parents felt that their children were not that were the same age as my child.

I guess the age to attend kindergarten is 5years old.It is also like that in most countries. I've always allowed my kids to stay home with me and when they are 4, they attend pre-school and at 5, they go for the test and get into Kindergarten.

It's only when a child is born after the school resumption date like say October or November that there would be the age difference. Otherwise, they should be allowed to go at 5. It could also be a parent's decision too to allow their kids stay behind if they feel he's not developmentally ready.

I agree with you that each child is different. Each state has a recommended cut off age for entering kindergarten. As for preschool I feel that most parents can be the judge if they think their child is ready. A younger child can benefit from the social aspects of preschool. Some children do need gentle encouragement. Some may be able to have a trial period to see how the child does and going slowly to ease the transition or speeding things a little if the child is advanced.

When the child is ready. I realy wish they'd do away with kindergarten "redshirting." I just don't feel the state knows best, since they don't know every child. Let the schools do what they used to do years ago, which was test the children to see if they are read or even what grade they should enter. This would benefit everyone. The gifted would be identified earlier rather than too late or not at all, which would keep them from getting bored in class and zoning out or acting up.  The learning disabled would be itentified earlier too, because the school could do further testing on children who are 6 and still can't pass the kindergarten entrance test.

Another thing to consider is that other countries start their children in kindergarten at 3 or 4 and some countries don't even have a kindergarten. I started kindergarten when I was 4 and college at 17. (My parents would let the school skip me 2 grades like they wanted to.) My son started kindergarten at 4, just skipped a whole grade, skipped 3 grades in math, and takes college classes in the summer. Who says boys mature slower? (That only holds true in puberty.)

My oldest daughter started at age 4 and my middle girl started at age 5. My oldest fell asleep all the time, did fairly and her concentration was very bad. My middle did very well and loved school. She went 2 days one week and 3 days the next week rotating days each week for 8.5 hrs. They had an hour nap after lunch and she did very well. They both are very bright girls now one in 3rd and the other in 1st. I think starting kindergarden at age 5 is appropriate. Kids learn a lot of things at a young age just look at babies and what a brain can truely do.