Should a Child's Size Be a Factor When Deciding Between pre-K or Kindergarden?

Hi Kelly,

I would recommend Young 5's regardless of height. Boys especially need a little more time to grow and the extra year would be a good thing.

I have a late Nov. birthday and started school at 4. I did fine, but in the high school years found that being the youngest was a little hard. I didn't get my license until the end of my Junior year. Going to college at 17 was tough too. Maye it was just my personality, but I always felt young and somewhat inferior, even though academically I always did well.

I don't think you should consider his height. You should consider whether or not you think he will struggle not having the greatest of social skills. Kindergarten is very structured now a days and more academic than it use to be(my mom teaches). I have chosen to put my 4.5 year old in the young 5's program (also an August birthday) as I want him to have that one more year of a more play environment before he goes to Kindergarten. Really think about how he will be able to handle it and if you think he will get frustrated easily or not. Kids that age really don't notice height/weight/things like that.

Hi Kelly,
My son also has an August birthday and we are putting him in young fives. He sounds very much like your son, knows his numbers and letters, ect. He also tries to hurry through all his projects. My son isn't the tallest in his class but he is def. one of the tallest. Personally, I am happy he is going to be one of the tallest opposed to being one of the shortest. Our society tends to have a lot of sterotypes for boys so if I can give him an advantage, I want to. Good luck.
Chris

I have a first grader and SHE is the tallest in the whole grade :) She is also a july birthday and we went forward with putting her in Kindergarten. I am happy with having done that. Its a little bit different circumstances than you but just so you know her height has NEVER come up. Little guys dont even seem to notice :) I think had I held her a year and then started no one would have even noticed either! Kids are great :) They really dont worry about what we think they will :)

Aside from that I think social skills come along and it sounds to me personally that he is ready for kindergarten - just my mom of 4 opinion :)

and as far as feeling different - my daughter is adopted and of another race and super tall and still doesnt feel different! Its all in the approach :)

It is an advantage for a boy to the be biggest kid in class. My husband was the smallest and it was a real handicap for him.

Your son can be the leader and the smaller kids will look up to him and follow him around.

It does sound like he has the academic skills for kindergarden.. but the social skill are more important - if he cant focus and complete assignments he will fall behind..

My friend sent an August birthday boy to kindergarden.. He was almost sent to anothe ryear of preschool.. and now he is in 2nd grade- and most likely will repeat the 2nd grade next year due to attentionspan and not turning in assignments..

They have really accelerated the curriculum also.. each grade is much harder than it used to be..

Hi Kelly,

I agree with some of the other respondants, his height really isn't a factor(it will probably be an advantage). My daughter's birthday is a little later than your son's(Nov) and we put her in "begindergarten" instead of kindergarten. Cognitively, she was more than ready, but she had only spent a few months in a structured setting, and wasn't ready for kindergarten in that respect. It was the BEST decision for her. The curriculum is the same, just at a slower pace, and usually there is another adult to help out. She excelled, and has continued to excell. She is now in the fourth grade, and continues to be an all A student, and classroom leader. That extra year helped her to gain maturity and confidence. And there are always several other kids in her class with fall birthdays (who are the same age as her), so she doesn't stand out. Personally, I feel that when she reaches Middle & High School, her extra maturity will only help her to make better choices, and resist negative peer pressure. I know that this is a very personal decision, and I hope that you find the advice you need. Good luck

I know this is an older question, but I just joined today :) My oldest has a Sept. birthday. Academically, he was ready for kindergarten as well. Emotionally - not so much. Sending him to alt-K was THE best thing I could have done for him. I gifted him an additional year to grow and mature. IMO, he will be more likely to lead than to follow now.

I have an Oct. bday and started school when I was 4. Fine up until junior high/high school. Then started doing things the "older" kids were doing.

No, if you let it bother you (his size), then it will show to him. I am a big stickler on if a child can sit for long periods (at least 20 min) then, he will do fine in K, if he can not he may need the extra time. You do not want him to begin school by thinking badly about having to go. If you can read a book or an activity everyday that last 15 minutes or longer and he does okay then consider K, if not try pre-K. You can change at the beginning of next year in some districts. Our district will suggest to take a child out of K and put them in a Pre-K after a month or so in school.

Hi Kelly,
When thinking of sending or not sending a child to kindergarten everyone thinks of "Is he/she ready now?" Even if a child is mature and knows his ABC's at 5, you need to think ahead to high school and beyond.
I was 4 and turned five starting school and did not struggle until high school. All of my friends drove, dated and other things before me. My parent did not want to let me go. My parents always said you are only ...years old. And of course I would say "All my friends are doing it!" I started college at 17 years old. I think I grew up way too fast. All because of that one decision to send me to kindergarten because I was "ready".

Further more, as a parent, are you going to be ready to send him to college or do you want him hanging around one more year. They already grow up fast.

I am a teacher (currently 5th grade, used to teach 2nd) and I have never had a parent tell me they were sorry they waited on Kindergarten. I have had plenty that were sorry they started their child before they turned 5. I vote for young fives/pre-K. That way you know for sure he'll be OK academically and socially. Height - don't worry about it. Chances are he'll be tallest (or close to it) anyhow, and a year doesn't usually make that much difference. Good luck!!

I wouldn't think size would matter at all. If you feel he is ready for kindegarten then i would enroll him. We held our son back and I think we did him more harm than good. Good Luck, Jen