Kindergarten at 5 or Wait Until 6? - New Albany,IN

Oh Gosh, I was in your shoes not long ago.
This is VERY personal, so whichever decision you make, know that you did it with love and only love.
I have three children. All very different.

My oldest is a Sept child and I opted to wait. He would have been 41/2+ when beginning school (year round begins in summer). So I held him and started him when he was 51/2+ turning 6 in September!

This proved to be THE BEST year EVER!. He was so prepared. He yearned to learn more! He was confident and social, more than he was at 41/2.

He just completed his Kindergarten year at 61/2 and is excited to begin first grade in a short bit. I do believe that given all that you say your school will offer, it would be a GIFT for your daughter to have one extra year to GROW socially & emotionally. Of course our children are bright and the material offered can be made more challenging. Our decision wasn't so much based on the "now" but more when he is in Jr and Sr High School and can make good choices because he can reason what's good and what's not, with his maturity level. (currently; he's also not a big kid, he hasn't lost a tooth, you get the picture?)

On the other-hand, I have my third child just turning 4 on Friday, who I believe will be one that will begin as soon as he's five, because he's already in preschool 5 mornings and very "on his game" having two older sibs to learn from.
There is just a huge difference in personalities and preparation for school.

On any decision, I would like to err on the side of caution. I have yet to hear anyone regret holding their child back and too many that only wished that they had done so.
Whatever your choice, she'll adapt and flourish because she has you as an involved, loving, and insightful mom.

=D Best Wishes!!!!

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In my humble opinion, it would be wonderful to keep your daughter at home one more year. Delaying her formal schooling will only put her at an advantage, and being at home with you for another year will be great for your relationship and for her developement. As I said, just my opinion. I just believe that our kids grow so fast, we should savour the time we have with them while we can.

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Hi E.! I am sure you are getting plenty of responses, but just wanted to throw my advice in there! I am a former 1st grade teacher, and also have a child with a summer birthday. My advice would be to WAIT! I hear parents all the time saying that they sent their child to school too early, and that they should have waited...you NEVER hear anyone say that they wish they had sent them earlier. Also, the way I look at it - I would rather have my child be the OLDEST in her class than the youngest. Think about later in her life, not now - if you send her now, she would be the last in her class to drive, the youngest when she went off to college, etc. I would much rather my child be the oldest. These are important factors, especially with your child being a girl.(Also, I am a June birthday, so I speak from experience!) And if you are just now not working 5 days a week, that would be precious one on one time with her. Enjoy your last year with her - you will never get that time back! Good luck!

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My opinion is that she needs to go to Kindergarten. In my school district they give kindergarteners about a 30 minute nap everyday for the first 3 quarters. The last quarter they cut it out. She will have to get used to getting up early and going to be earlier as a result of not having that nap. I think everyone would agree that this "naptime" is not a reason to hold her back another year. Is she excited about going to Kindergarten? What does your husband say about it? If you are doing this for your own selfish reasons then that's not going to benefit her. Seems to me if she is mature enough and intellectual enough to go then she should go. I think this is anxiety on your part more than this is about her not getting a nap. Take it from experience, the first day she starts school and you walk her into her class you will cry, you may bawl, you will be proud but sad all at the same time, you will want to stay, you will be nervous and worried all day, the day will drag by, and when you pick her up she will be happy. All of those anxieties because your little girl is growing up. What an emotional milestone in life. My advice is to start a bedtime routine where she goes to bed around 7:30 - 8:00 at night then get her up early around 7-7:30 in the morning. Keep her busy. Only let her take a 30 minute nap and wake her up. You have 2 months to work this schedule out. Don't look at this from an already defeated and won't work standpoint and that she's not old enough. There will be children there that aren't even 5 years old doing what you want her to wait til she's 6 years old to do. Now that's my advice but this is a personal preference situation. Everyone will have their opinion. You have to do what's best for her.

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I would send her, she will adjust. My daughter's birthday is in June too and I sent her to Kindergarden at 5. A few days a week she would have a small rest period after school, but she was not the terror I was expected. The routine ended up being: right after school she ate (they had lunch at 10:30/11 so she was starved by the time she got home), we reviewed classwork/homework then played,had dinner, baths, bedtime routine, etc. She was in bed by 7:30/8:00. I think it will be a terrific transition for the two of you.

Good luck

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Hello, E.,

Let me start by saying that this is of course just my opinion ok?
If I were given the chance to do it all again, I would opt for letting my son wait. Yes she appears ready for kindergarten academically but emotionally? She clearly still needs her naps. She has been fostered by her mom and dad up until this point (as she should have been)and while she may fare perfectly well in Kindergarten, the emotional gap will start to show at about the 3rd grade. That being said, I see no harm in opting for the chance to add one more year of emotional security into your daughter, she will be better able to handle the stresses and expectations of her while in the school system down the line a bit.
For me, hindsight is 20/20. I hope it's different for you and yours.
Good Luck!

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Oh, E., I do understand wanting to wait and enjoy her for another year. My son has been home with me for the past 6 months and it's been my first time working from home and enjoying any of my children...however, you need to think about her and her future. If you delay a year, children in the future will be mean because she is a year older and not in an earlier class. You should really consider that. Also, don't they still take naps in Kindergarten??? All of my girls did and my son will this year when he begins. I think 1st grade is when they phase that out. Please consider the benefits it will give to her. As parents we have to let them go sometime...I say that as I sit crying at the thought my oldest is going into 8th, the next into 5th and my baby into Kindergarten! Break out the wine to either celebrate or grieve!!!! Good luck!

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Hi there! I too have a child with a June bday. Our son went on to kindergarten b/c his preschool teacher's also told us that he was ready. He is very smart and very social. We sent him on and he did fine. He was not top of the class but was not the bottom either. We were on a waiting list for another school that will not allow children to start K until they are 6. We got the call that he is in so after much thought we have decided to repeat him. Our reasoning is not just the school change. We have spoken to many, many teachers, princ, directors, etc who have said that it is amazing the difference between children who start school at 5 and the children who start school at 6. Our son's Kindergarten teacher even actually said that she started her son at 5 and he did well. She said he did well all the way until high school when his immaturity really started to show. By college, she felt he needed another year of growing and maturing before he attended college but she could not hold him out of college or he may not go. I started K when I was 5 and once I got to middle school and high school I found that I always got along better with the grade below me. I also was frustrated that my grade friends started everything before me...shaving legs, monthly cycle, kissing, driver's license, etc My parents went by my age, not my grade, when allowing me to do certain things...like shave my legs. So I was again behind everyone. I think that my son is ready to go onto 1st grade BUT I think he would be an average student if we did that. I think that an extra year of school can only help with maturity and focusing skills. He will be more attentive, he will be more apt to pay attn, he will get an extra year of learning how to read, write, etc He will also start college at 19 instead of 18. he will have a better self esteem b/c he is top of the class and top of the age with others. He will get his license the same time as everyone else, etc This school does not allow the children until 6 b/c they feel they are more mature and more ready for school. It is over 100 yrs old and has been a very important educator in our town. I think they might have something! :o)
As far as you spending a year home with her.....absolutely!!! I am a stay at home mom and I kept my son home from preschool until 3 just so I could be alone with him. Now, our daughter is 2 1/2 yrs younger than him so I get time alone with her while he is in school. I completely do not think you will regret holding her back. June is a summer bday and the teachers even have a name for those kids...when they see them they call them "summer bdays"...nothing bad, they just say that you can tell a difference in the 6 mos that they have a chance to catch up.

Whatever choice you make will be fine but what couldn't be good about waiting a year to start school?? Once you start, that is it....then work! I hated for my son to start K b/c I knew from then on, 5 days a week he would be gone 7 hours a day. No more sleeping in, no more days with mommy. Just a thought.

W.

Hi E.,
If you don't have to go back to work yet, I'd wait. She obviously needs that rest. That sleep is sooo important. I don't think kids get enough sleep, and her body is telling you something. My daughter was 6 when she entered, and she felt good being a little older. It boosted her self esteem. N.

PS Wow, I just read the other responses. There are a lot of moms with strong opinions about this! Each child is different and has different needs. I am one of those who believe that listening to the needs of the child (to a point) is a good thing. They are forced to grow up very quickly once they begin school. Their lives are so structured that there isn't much time for creative play, quality family time, etc. (No, this is NOT being selfish for myself. Mine is a handful (ADHD). It would've been easier on me to send her earlier. But I did what was best for her and that was to wait. She needs the sleep. She just turned 8 and she is asleep by 8 pm, sometimes sooner. She sleeps through till 7 am. If your daughter does go now, she will probably need to go to bed early (7 or 7:30). The question is, are you prepared for that on a regular basis? Our lifestyle is pretty limited right now, but we make sure that our daughter stays on a schedule and is in bed at the same time every night, even on weekends. That helps all kids behaviorally and also keeps them healthier.

I have decided to wait to put my daughter in school. She is a little younger than your daughter (will be 5 in Sept) however, all the teachers and parents that I've talked to reccomend waiting. The teachers say that even if the younger ones keep up for kindergarten, everything catches up around 3rd grade, and they can tell in an instant maturity wise who the younger ones are. I've not talked to one parent that regreted waiting to put their child in school a year.
You have to consider, also, the effects further down the line... she'll be more mature going into HS and college, first to get her license, and by default be more of a leader than a follower.

Hope this is helpful.

Hi, my son went daycare from the age of two all the way to pre-school......then he went to kindergarten at 5 years......what i did was make his bed time early as possible so that he can get enough rest at night......his bedtime is between 730 and 8pm.......most kindergarten get out at 210pm.......maybe you can let her take a nap as soon as she get home if that is most of your concern or early bedtimes so that she get enough sleep......my son enjoyed going to school and look forward to go everyday......you also believed that she was ready only thing to be was your concern was naptime.......so an early bedtime or nap right after so should works........going to kidergarten would prepare her for first grade and there is no naptime there......I hope that help......my son will be in first grade in August and is looking forward to that.......

L.

I have a son that turned 6 in April. We did send him to kindergarten this past year because he had passed all of the entrance tests (private school) and no one mentioned holding him back a year. When the school year started, I noticed that several of the kids with spring birthdays would all be turning 7 so I began to wonder why it wasn't mentioned to us. He loved kindergarten, other than the fact that it was a huge transition from preschool. His biggest complaint in the beginning was that he had to work at his table all day and their wasn't much free time at all. He was also aware that everyone was much older and could already read. He did well with the academics and always received high marks on his report card. However, after several discussions with his teacher, we decided to hold him back and send him to kindergarten again this coming year. She thought he would be able to make it in 1st grade, but that he would have to work harder than the others. His work habits were behind and he wouldn't stay focused as long as the other kids. We've noticed a huge difference with his behavior once he turned 6 and are very happy with our decision to have him repeat the school year.

Hi E., my son has a late September birthday and barely made the cut-off for our school district (he was four when school started). I knew early on that I intended for him to go to kindergarten as early as he was eligible, but a few months before school started, I heard other parents debating the issue. One mom in particular had a son whose birthday was only a couple days away from my son's, and her reasons for holding him back included the "last one to get his driver's license" issue. Frankly, I don't understand what difference it makes *when* a person gets his or her driver's license - who cares?? And why are parents thinking about that in regards to kindergarteners? Seems like nonsense to me.

Too, when we did the kindergarten readiness testing, two of the teachers administering the tests were trying to convince me to instead enroll my son in the Kindergarten Readiness Program (basically a year of Pre-K in the school system), saying that they didn't think he was ready. As soon as they saw his file and his birthday, they immediately started suggesting this Pre-K program, even *before* their evaluation. I couldn't understand what these teachers had seen in my son after only a 10-minute observation that would lead them to make that recommendation. I asked them what their basis was, but they couldn't give me an explanation. My son had been in full-time preschool since he was two and I knew he was ready academically. I stuck to my guns and sent my son to kindergarten. His teacher told me TWICE during the year how glad she was that we sent him on to kindergarten because he was more than ready. He would have been bored and probably easily distracted had he sat through an extra year of Pre-K. He had NO problems during the year - academically, behaviorally or otherwise - and his scores have all been average or above average. (I have wondered in retrospect if the teachers recommended the Pre-K program to keep it full. It wouldn't surprise me if funding for the program were tied to enrollment levels.)

Thinking back to when I was in school, all the younger kids were labeled "mature for their age", while the older students (some of whom were held back by their parents) tended towards having a chip on their shoulder and resenting their parents' decision. I think a lot of it has to do with what the parents expect out of their children, and we've all seen how expectations can influence a child's behavior and choices.

Oh, and the mom who didn't want her son to go to kindergarten? I ran into her at a birthday party and she lamented not having sent him half-way through the school year.

Hope this helps!!

My son started kindergarten at 4. He didn't turn 5 until Sept. 1st. He'd already been through 2 years of preschool and I thought he was ready. A lot of people assumed I'd hold him back because of his late birthday and even tried to convince me I was wrong to send him. I didn't care and he's done great. He's made the honor roll every grading period but one and he'll be in the 4th grade this fall. There have been several kids in his class who were older and held back. It all depends on the child. Our school still has nap time in K but he never took one. He stopped napping at age 2.

My younger son turned 6 at the end of April and he's been fine in K as well. He's been in preschool for 3 years and did fine. He never napped at school either.

I think she'll adjust to everything. Once you get into a routine and she knows what to expect she may even want an earlier bedtime. Good Luck with whatever you choose.

I know how tough this can be. I have 3 daughters ages 11, 8 and 3. With my oldest we waited untill she was 6, but with my middle child we actually sent her early(she did not turn 5 until Oct.) It is such a personal decission, and I mean personal acording to the child. Both of my girls have done great. I would trust your daughters past teachers and what you know of her. As fa as the rest time. With my middle one all I did was make her lay on the couch after school far about 30 min. sometimes with the TV on sometimes not. As the year went on she needed it less and less until we could do without it.
As to something you mentioned. I would be worried that the school does not allow a rest time, but is willing to let a child fall asleep at their desk. I don't know if anything can be done, or if it's a public school or not. It was just something that jumped out at me.
Good luck and remember no matter what your decission is your daughter will be fine.

My son was born Oct. 4 2002 - the cutoff date for entering K was Oct. 16 until recently. We really debated what to do; I talked to 3 or 4 different principals and K teachers. We finally decided to go ahead and start him the year he was eligible, thinking that if it didn't work out we could pull him out and put him back into preschool. It has worked out great. He's definitely one of the shortest ones in the class (although that's also partly his genes), and sometimes I can see some immaturity compared to his classmates, but overall it's been great. I think some parents start their kids late for the wrong reasons - the kids are ready, but the parents want them to have an advantage in being older. You have to do what's best for your child. I can't believe her school doesn't have a rest time for kindergarteners - that's crazy! My son stopped napping at age 3, but I believe that having a 45-min rest time for the 1st semester in K was really good for him - and all the other kids, too.

Since your daughter has been in preschool... I think she would be fine in kindergarten. I didn't send my daughter to preschool (which is a half day here)... we started with kindergarten (whole day), but I didn't send her until the state said I should. The child must be a certain age before a certain date in the school year in order to start.

My daughter was really tired after school but managed.
I set her bedtime at 8pm... I told her she didn't have to go to sleep but she had to be in bed. To help this work... that was my bedtime too (she thought) and I would read to her every night so she would have some interest in going to bed to start with.

So... by 8pm we were in bed and I would begin reading. Usually before 8:30pm she was asleep. I got her up in the morning for school with plenty of time for her to bath and have a good breakfast. The bath would wake her up and she almost always had a good day at school. I could always tell which kids got a bath in the morning because them seemed more alert.

Since you are a stay at home mom, like myself, maybe you could set aside reading time after school (after homework is done of course- that was one thing we insisted on, that homework be done as soon as she got home, and she still does that to this day and she's going into 7th grade). If you cozy up and read... your daughter may take a nap then with no problem. Just be sure not to let the nap last too long so your bedtime routine doesn't get screwed up.

Hope this helps... I know it's rough making decisions when it comes to your kids. I was extremely picky, and still am, over my daughter.

Go ahead & send her if she is both academicly & emotionally ready. My son is 5 & I'm sending him. I know it's a hard choice but u need 2 remember if it's the best choice for her. On the weekend's take family time with her no housework give you're children 100 percent of you're time. Let her take an hour nap after school while cooking dinner

I would most definately put her in kindergarten this year instead of when she is six... she is the right year as all her classmates are and she will be the oldest one in her class if u wait ... start to cut out her nap time and start with a earlier bedtime as u get closer to school and this should make her adjustment easier ...

I think her maturity level is what you need to look at. My son went to school when he was 4(for 1 month) and he is now going into 5th grade happy and with friends. My brother in law (years ago) went in right after he turned 5 even though his mother was told he wasn't quite ready. Well he has had some trouble through the years, failing a grade and acting out. He is 17 now and just starting 11th grade(where he would have been had she waited!!) So if your daughter is ready and her level of maturity is there, you should send her. Good luck.

Hi E.,
We are waiting to put my younger daughter in Kindergarten. When she was in 4 yr old preschool her teachers just didn't think she was ready. She's shy and timid at times and she just didn't seem like she was mature enough. Plus she could have cared less about the alphabet. So instead we put her in a program for 5 yr olds. We recently moved here to NC in December and I have found there is "Transitions" classes out here for 5 yr olds. The one we picked was in Cary at Greenwood Forest Children's Center. It was an awesome class and it was from 9 -1 pm. It really helped her with letters, numbers and handwriting. They even had a mock lunch peroid to show the students what it will be like to have lunch when they go to kindergarten. My daughter just turned 6 in June and I'm glad we waited to put her in school because I feel she would have struggled every year. Just FYI, my mom held me back when I was younger as well so I think my daughter sort of took after me. If your daughter is still taking naps waiting a year might be just what she needs. When school starts up we plan on putting the girls to bed no later than 8 and sometimes earlier! When they used to take naps I made sure they didn't sleep past 4 pm so I was still able to put them to bed around 7 or 8. That's just what worked for us. I hope this helps you somewhat and good luck making your decision. Corinna

Both of my children enrolled at 6. My son I held back because he was not ready academically. My daughter had a late Oct birthday, so she had to be held back a year.

Personally, as a teacher it can only do them good to be held back. There is never any catching up to do. Instead, if they are doing well academically, there are plenty of chances to be challenged. However, if she is still napping, she will be totally wiped out in K. Is there any change the pre-school she currently attends could change her schedule for next year to where her naps are shorter next year, and then eliminating them totally toward the end of the year? You may find that she ends them on her own as well.

Hi,
I sent my son to school very early. Matter of fact he started preschool when he was 4 (just turned 4 in Aug. started in sept)So therefore he was a young 5 in kindergarten. There was a couple of pros and cons to that. Intellectually he was fine, that was part of the reason we deceided to send him, if we waited any longer he would have be soooo borded that behavior would have become a problem in school. Maturity wise he was a little behind, also he is an only child so that played some part in it. My son was ready and LOVED going to school, soaked up everything they were doing like a little sponge. So in our case we had a wonderful outcome my son will be 7 in Aug and in the 2nd grade come fall...still the youngest in his class but also at the head of his class.

My son has an early Sept. birthday, and we were able to enroll him in half day kindergarten the year he turned 5. It worked out beautifully, and he was very much ready to go - even though all the naysayers said "boys blah blah blah" and "6 is better blah blah blah". I think it having been half day kindergarten helped a lot, and he did occasionally fall asleep on the bus on the way home. He just finished first grade at the top of his class, and when I told his teacher (earlier in the school year) that he went to half-day K, she was stunned, because she said you could usually tell which students had - but not with him.

Personally, having had an August birthday, the thought did occur to me a few times over my youth that had I been born a month later, I would have been a year behind, and that would have sucked big time for me. I was eager to leave home once I finished school. But that's just me. I would really have resented my parents if they had held me back, and I would have felt like a big idiot in my class (I grew up in a small town and had the same classmates all through school - who knew everyone's business and who had been held back and such), and would have been defensive about not having been held back (flunked).

But, I can understand the family time issue as well. I would say go with your heart, but is there a possibility of finding a half-day K in your area, maybe even a private one? That might be a reasonable compromise.

Send her to kindergarten. No matter what year you send her there will be transition. She will adjust and so will you. She will be tired but if she is allowed to stay out this year and continue her routine she will be the same next year after school. My daughter went to kindergarten at 4 turning 5 at the cutoff in Sept. She made it just fine and graduated cum laude in college. Girls have a tendency to be more ready at 5. If this were your son, I would definately hold him back. Boys don't mature as fast as girs, as I had a son and know the difference. I know you would like to spend the year with her; but is that for you or for her. If she is intellectually ready, I believe it would be in her best interest to send her on.

hello,
I am not sure what school you are planning on sending your child to, a private school or public? My son goes to southside and he was in kindergarten last year, I chose to wait until he was 6 to start him. He never attended pre-school and was always home with me so I knew it would be hard. I waited as long as i could! I am glad I did b/c it was extremely hard! His first day was horrible, he did not want to stay (which I expected) but it still broke my heart. He adjusted quiet well, i think having the teacher he had made a big difference. She had a lot of patience and was very good with the kids. She even let him call my husband on the second day of school so he could say hi and, it made him feel better! I was wondering about the school you were sending your child to b/c my son's teacher had rest time every day after recess. She would make them lay down on a blanket that we had to send on the first day. They had to lie down for 30 min. and if they fell asleep that was fine, if not that was fine too! They had to lie there quietly either way. I was kinda concerned at first b/c my son didn't take naps so I thought that would be a problem but, I think he liked it! If they fell asleep sometimes she would let them sleep longer than the 30 min. I loved his teacher and I know if we had a different teacher it would have been a lot harder to transition him from home to school! Good luck on your decision!!!
S.

shes at the perfect age and sounds like shes ready. with my daughter we had to wait because her birthday was in november. it sounds like she will do great and learn alot. about the nap thing i have never heard of a school not letting kids have some down time. what school is this? you may want to look in to another school that fits her needs. but at the same time im sure they have reading time where she can relax a little. good luck have fun!

If your daughter has been to preschool and is ready intellectually she should be fine. She has already adjusted to being away from you because of preschool and will adapt to no nap. An earlier bedtime has been suggested and I agree. My little guy started kindergarten last year and it was an adjustment. He was a late sleeper often sleeping till 10 or 11 so he had to change his routine. He started going to bed at 7:30 and it helped him alot. HE had not been to preschool and did fine in kindergarten and he is a very young one. He did not turn 5 until September 22nd. He was in school for 2 months at 4. SO only you know your daughter. IS she ready? That is what you need to look at. The nap will work itself out.

I have 3 children my oldest and youngest sons all have July birthdays. I sent both of them to school the year they turned 5. My oldest is a straight A student in middle school now and age has not hampered him at all. My middle child, a daughter, has a November birthday so she had to wait and is one of the oldest of her class. Being older there were times she was bored because she was ahead socially and academically. My youngest was the one I had this same thoughts as you . I wasn't sure he was ready for kindergarten. I sent him anyway with the thought in my mind he could repeat K if needed. Well he matured so much in K and learned so much more then he would have at a pre-school program. His K teacher really instilled in him a love of school. He will be in 2nd grade next school year. Being the youngest has not bothered either of my sons.
This really is a personal choice. You need to do what you feel is best for your child and your family life. Kindergarten classes have a wide variety of students: some have pre-school experience, some know their ABC's and can count and others do not. A great teacher can work with all these children at their abilities and help them grow.

I really suggest, you go ahead and keep her home, if you want her to be able to move into 1st the following year, you could homeschool her through Kindergarten. More and more research shows that all this early education does not affect long term outcomes (ie high school performance) but you will never get another chance at 5 again. I'm a mom of 4 ages 11-4 and have homeschooled from the beginning. yes it was intimidating at first, but there are wonderful resources available and like you said, you don't want the few hours you'll have with your daughter to be spent negatively. And it already sounds like your momma instinct is raising some serious flags.

When my kids cut their nap I started putting them to bed around 7pm. No regrets and surprisingly, no problems! Turns out, they were really tired!

It will be a big transition & she will probably fall asleep on the way home. I would get her all registered & start on a reasonable schedule for bedtime right now to get her ready. If she is not doing well, you can pull her out. But if she makes the leap in the next few months & you dont have her set up to go, you may be sorry.

Try earlier bedtime. : )

P

My daughter Jamie went to pre-kindergarten class at age 4. She did well in elementary school and middle school. She was in the honor society and did sports. By 11th grade she was so bored and tired of going to school that she dropped out. If you can wait and keep them home and prepare them a little more on your own, that is what i would do. Staci(my oldest by 3 1/2 years) would "play teacher" to Jamie and i thought she was ready so I enrolled her. Staci was right at the cut off age of waiting til the next year but she wanted to go to school. She did well but struggled a little. She just graduated from college this year. Jamie is 19 and realizing she needs to get back in school.

S.

You should go ahead and send her. My son was a June baby also and I wondered the same thing about him 10 years ago. He is now a Sophmore in high school and has done really well over the years. I have had no regrets over the years on my decision and he is even small for his age. She will be fine!

Last year we debated over the same thing with my son, who's birthday is June 28th. After speaking with my sister, who is a Kindergarten teacher of many years, we decided to go ahead and wait one more year.
She said,
1. That's it's becoming more and more common for children to be held back until they are six because of how academic Kindergarten has become over years (they now have nightly homework and must learn to read, instead of all the playing and crafts we did as a children) They're calling it "the gift of time".
2. Boys mature less quickly than girls and struggle more with concentrating etc.
3. She said that as the school year begins, kids begin turning 6 pretty quickly, so that she winds up with a good mix of 5 and 6 year olds.

I would say you could go either way. On one side: she's a girl and is able to listen and concentrate better at this age. (I wouldn't worry about her acting up too much because of her lack of nap. She'll be too busy with school and will prolly have a new appreciation for your company and being home in general)Also--if she's a tall girl--I would recommend her starting. I was taller than most as a child and it was hard on me. Somehow in our society it's perfectly ok for boys to be tall but not girls.

But on the other hand, she'll have a much easier time of it if you wait and it IS becoming more common.

Anyway, I hope this helps in the decision making. I'll be going through it AGAIN in two years when my daughter starts school, since her birthday is also June 28th <bites nails> lol!

Good luck!
M.

This is a tough situation, as you definitely want the best. My mom put me in kindergarten when I was 4 (turned 5 in the same month I started school), and i was the youngest in my class. Aside from not being able to drive when my other friends did, it was no big deal, and I would have not liked it much if I had to wait (that is, once I got older). I would have been bored out of my mind!!! Not only was I ready at 4, I was put in honors classes when I was in 1st or 2nd grade - I don't remember. I did really well. If I would have waited, I would have been to far ahead of the class, and that could have caused other problems.
On the other side - my best friend since kindergarted was the oldest in our class - her parents decided to hold her back. She was also in honors classes with my, and ended up graduating 3rd in our class. She was friends with almost everyone - but got along with the older classes better. I have always thought she may have been more socially comfortable if her parents wouldn't have held her back - especially with how extremely smart she was!

I can understand the nap situation - and that would be an issue for me. However, I do think kindergarten would stimulate her differently, and, she may end up not needing that nap as much as she does now. Kindergarten wouldn't be as much play as what day care is, so, she would be stimulated differently, and have new interesting things to be involved with.

But, in the end - do what you know is right in your heart. If you're not going to be comfortable with it, then wait another year.

My daughter's bday fell on the first day of school this year. She was 4 turning 5. After talking to her Pre-K teacher and deliberating with family I decided to go ahead and send her to Kindergarten. She is definately the youngest and I'm sure that when her friends are turning 16 she may be a little upset, but she was ready for the transition to K. If she would have stayed in PreK another year she would have been bored. This past yr she did excellent. She was student of the month, on the top Accelerated Reading list, Outstanding Art student for the 9 weeks, and she was satisfactory on everything on her "report card" all yr long.
I think it all depends on their academic and social level. and a mom's intuition :) if you feel like she is ready then i say go ahead and send her. Also, transition can be hard such as the nap time, but children really adapt very well and I think after a short period of time she will be fine.

A good friend of mine had sons who were in the same boat. They turned five before school started, but would have been younger than most of the kids in there. Her pediatrician advised her to wait to send them because, in spite of the common wisdom to send them to school as soon as possible, it would actually benefit them more to be older when they got to school. He said that it would give them an opportunity to be leaders at school, and that they would have more confidence in themselves instead of looking to other people to see how things should be done. It turns out that he was right. Even though they have very different personalities, both boys have shined at school, and not just academically.

Keep her home. As a former teacher I have never seen that not be in favor of the child especially if she gets another year of irreplaceable time with you. My daughter is a late september birthday and I waited to send her. That extra year has greatly benefitted her. Also, I don't likr the idea of college at 17 either.

The question is are you wanting to wait for your benefit or for your daughters? This child has already been in a childcare environment and is ready for school, if anything you maybe holding her back. I have two that will be entering the school doors this year one to Pre-K and the other straight to K and not only am I looking forward but I am very excited for them, I can now see new direction in my own life. This is only a short walk in the world compared to the other things she is gonna have to face in life, I have a 15 year old girl as well. Just pray about it and God will give you peace and direction.

Stefanie

More than intellectually ready, I would go ahead, unless, she is very immature socially, or there is a real problem. My granddaughter managed without the naps. They do get quiet time.Sounds as if it is your problem, not hers. This will give you time to spend with your little one, 1 on1.
I read the other responses, and liked what Amanda had to say. I would follow her advice. Good luck.

Hi E., My son turned 5 on July 31 of the year he was supposed to start K. Pretty much everyone except his preschool teacher said to hold him back, including my aunt who was a long-time teacher. They said esp. with boys, not as much with girls, they are too immature. He still took naps and to this day (he's almost 7) still gets sleepy sometimes in the afternoon...he is my big sleeper, but it hasn't been a problem.

We also debated because we have another boy who is 23 months younger so that would have made them closer in school (now 5 and a June birthday.) The oldest boy's PreK teacher said he could have handled K in December of the 4 year old year so I sent him. I didn't want him to be bored and cause behavior problems, even though he is not super-wild or anything, he can be silly if bored. I decided if he has trouble, he can repeat K without much difficulty.

Well, sorry this is a long story but I put lots of thought into and agonized...Results: He did GREAT! His school does "Flex" reading and math and he was ahead in both. I remember getting newsletters from the homeroom teacher saying they were now working on "letter G" or something and I thought oh goodness, my poor son would have been miserable even in that K reading class. He is not developmentally behind at all, now almost 7. All of his friends have birthdays before him and he has to wait until late summer, but otherwise you would never know he is still 6. He is not small or uncoordinated, keeps up and even exceeds many students...and he is just a regular boy (no super-brain or anything.) He plays sports and really likes school.

Now he was tired after school, but I would not say we had any more behavior issues than normal. Just give her an earlier bedtime if she is tired. I don't even remember seeing much of a change in his sleep or behavior at all really. My son still goes to bed at 8 as normal. He really adjusted automatically right along with everyone else. He can even handle after school activities.

We also have a 5 year old now coming up for K this fall and we are sending him (with the June birthday.) Same reason. Some students who have not been to preschool at all are starting from the beginning. But also, if you prefer she is the older one in the group and want her home another year, I don't think you will harm her to hold her back. I guess she could skip a grade if necessary. I just don't think it is necessary unless you prefer it, she isn't ready, she is very small or uncoordinated. Eventually they all catch up to the same basic level. It's just that the first couple of years you have many different levels. People still tell me about holding children back and after this experience I just can't agree. I can't imagine what he would have been like for mine to have started a year later. There were many students with late spring/summer birthdays in my son's class. It was definitely the right decision for us to send him, but it is a family decision. Make sure your husband agrees. She'll adapt either way. Don't let people scare you. Is she emotionally ready for school? Do you think she'll have separation issues? I cried when my son went, but he did not. He was excited and has never looked back. They have to be ready as a whole person.

We also have a girl who we planned to start school 3 years after our second son, who will now get held back against our wishes because they changed the deadline and she is a September birthday so I guess I'll get to experience that side one day. I know how you feel too, as I am happy to have my last child home another year and am not in a hurry to rush them all off...school does make them grow up fast, but given the choice, I'd rather have her go on in 3 years behind her brother if she is ready.

Hope that is helpful to you. That is my story...but your daughter being in full-day preschool, she is probably more than ready to go! I think you'll be glad you sent her once she is there and doing well. My boys both went to half-day preschool. Feel free to email me if you have questions. Sorry to ramble on. Best Wishes, M.

Hey E., where I live it depends on when their birthday is. My youngest daughter will be 4 this Sept. She won't be able to start school until she is 6, that's preschool now. She will be 7 going into Kindergarten because her birthday is Sept.27. If she was born before Aug. 25, she would start when she was 5 and not 6. I hope this helps some. When I was in school the cut off date to start school was Oct. 16. Now that school starts earlier, the cut off date is Aug. 25. School's have changed so much since I was in school.

E.,

I think that there is a lot of great advise out there. But truly you are the only one that knows your child and you know what will be best for her. Some times all the advise gets you confused. Good Luck with your decision!

S.