Seeking Advise for Child Who Misses Kindergarten Cut-off

I teach at a private school for grades 7 through 12. The kids who are much younger than their classmates are sometimes fine, but more often I think they are at a disadvantage. Since some of these kids have come up through private schools that were not strict about cutoff dates, they can be a year ahead of the grade they "should" have been in. At this level, you really can see the differences in physical, emotional and academic maturity that a year can make. Geometry is a good example. Some very bright kids who are young for their grade struggle with the proofs and the abstraction required because they are just not there developmentally. Also, the social situations and opportunities are better managed by more mature students. I know you don't want him to be bored now, but maybe look for a more challenging preschool environment rather than trying to squeeze under the kindergarden cutoff. Best wishes.

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As a teacher, I recommend keeping your child in the class he belongs in according to his birthday. What's the rush? He'll be in school the next 18 years! Less than 1% of all children truly qualify as gifted, even though there are many very smart kids out there, there isn't any need to push the cut-off date. There are plenty of ways to challenge him at home if he is bored at his pre-school. Besides, most of preschool is for social development and to learn self-control which is a bigger predictor of success in life than grades or intelligence. Kindergarten and primary grade teachers, even up through 4th grade, can often tell within days or weeks who the youngest kids in class are. Not because of their academic ability, but because of their maturity level. I would give your child an advantage by enrolling him in kindergarten according to state guidelines.

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DONT SENT HIM!! You will never regret this decision. Trust me. You never hear about parents regreting holding their kids but you ALWAYS hear about parents who wish they did. It will be the BEST DECISION YOU WILL EVER MAKE. Hold him back!!!!!! dont give it another thought.

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Our son's birthday is Aug 4. We did start him at a parochial school because daycare couldn't offer him any challenges and he gets bored easily. He is now in 5th grade and part of me wishes we held him back. He does extremely well academically. The teachers love him but emotionally, I don't believe he was ready and may have done better socially if we had waited. Montessori schools do take children born after July 31 and our son was enrolled there for one year. He did quite well at the Montessori. But our parochial school now honors the public school cutoff. I would visit a few of the private schools in your area. It is my understanding that in Missouri, you must be enrolled at least 2 years in a private school before you can transfer to public school and avoid the cutoff date. Good luck!!

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My son was similar only right at the cut-off. I had the choice and followed advice of educators and other moms who said let him just be older in his class (even socially they said it was better as boys mature slower than girls). And am I glad I did! He has excelled - now a junior in highschool he ranks 4th in his class of 469. His being older was definitely an advantage. That's my experience and I hope it helps you.
Good luck with your decision!
M.

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Have you talked to the school and or looked into private school? My daughter's birthday is July 30th and there is no way I would have held her back like so many of her friend's with July birthdays. She is in 2nd grade now and still bored some of the time (but they give her more advanced work in various areas as she needs it) and rarely studies for tests and gets everything correct! If you really think he is excelling that fast I would look into all your options now. Surely even the public schools have exceptions (my child goes to private now and it definitely helps!) Good luck.

I have to agree with those who say wait. Being the oldest in class is an advantage. My oldest daughter was born on 8/31...she went to three years of preschool(started in private as soon as she turned 3) and is now a great student. You can still challenge your son and keep him interested...speak to his preschool teacher about ways to keep him engaged and learning. Good luck!

Public schools will not budge on the cut off date. So, many parents send their kids to a parochial or private school. I believe you have to keep them there for 2 or 3 years, before they can transfer back to the public school.
Hope this helps.

My son missed the cut off my 27 days and we did not challenge the date. It was the biggest blessing EVER. We found a wonderful preschool program that was just for kids that missed the cut off. I think he learned more that year than in kindergarten. Plus think he will be one of the older kids in the class which has advantages too. Also think he will be one of the first driving so you can control that situation rather than him being the youngest of the group NOT driving. Same thing when he graduates from high school. It is much easier to challege a child and than help them keep up. Good luck.

My son's birthday is Sept 7th. He is now 19 and a Freshman in college. Like your son he was always one of the oldest in his class. This really worked out well for him. He excelled in school and I really believe it was because he had that extra year of maturity it really can make a difference, especially in boys. Even the extra year of social skills will make a difference. Consider it a good thing!! Why worry about them stuggling being one of the youngest. Just remember, he'll hit a lot of milestones, like driving and such before his friends and you won't have to worry about him riding with his friends until your comfortable with his own driving skills. I know that seems like a long time away right now, however blink and he'll be there. Good luck!

As long as he can do all the things he suppose to you could go talk to the district. It's really a tough situation. My nephew is the same way. But his birthday is in July. My sister really didn't pursue it. Now he is in third grade but they pull him out of the class part of the time for 5th grade reading and math. That's the way its been since he started but he is really intelligent. It's tough.