[nadia32]

How common is redshirting or waiting a year for kindergarten in Fairfield County and how early does it usually start? I have been hearing different things- but mostly that it is very common- even for boys with summer birthdays. Is this an exaggeration- that about a quarter of a class is redshirted? I know CT has latest cut-off date in the country, NY is a close second. Anyone have first hand experience- kids in elementary school or preschool with any knowledge of this? thanks!

[arielmina]

yep = it's very common though my kids had October b-days (twins) and I sent them with no problems so far (they're in 2nd grade now). There is only one other boy younger than them, the rest of the boys latest birthdays are in the early summer. So yes, its common, much more so with boys than girls however. My kids had several boys who were a year older, but only one who was a late summer b-day, the rest were fall b-days that stayed out the extra year.

[andthentherewere3]

Yes, very common, especially in areas with all day kindergarten. Many feel all day kindergarten is too hard on a four year old. We held back our first son because of that, and all his friends but one were also held back a year. He is in college now.

Our current town has half day kindergarten, and our youngest child is in elementary school. I've noticed that many enroll their 4 year old with a late birthday in a "pre-kindergarten" school instead of kindergarten. Then the following year they start kindergarten. Editing to add that you shouldn't place too much emphasis on what others are doing though, and go with your own instincts.

[laulob]

In my son's class 3 of the 20 kids were ones that started late - all boys. When my daughter was in kindergarten it was about the same. You have to do what you think is right, normally your pre-shool techer should be able to give you a good indication if your child is ready. Just remember they may not seem ready when they are just turning 5 in the fall or December but 6 months later they could really show a jump inmaturity and development but by that time they will be stuck for the rest of the school year in pre-school. I had a freind who faced that dilemma with her son.

[JayCT]

Because most (if not all) towns in Connecticut allow 4 year olds to attend kindergarten as long as their birthday is before the end of the calendar year, there will always be kids that are held out because their parents feel they are not ready. Every kid is different so I think it is a good practice to allow the parents to decide. Our child has an early fall birthday and he was so ready for school because he went to daycare and preschool. Jay

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by JayCT

he was so ready for school because he went to daycare and preschool. Jay

I think most children in Connecticut do attend some kind of preschool, so that's not always a factor in choosing to "redshirt". But preschools tend to be a few days a week, for three or four hours, not a full day. Daycare, yes, if kids are used to full-time daycare I do agree they'd probably have no difficulty adjusting to kindergarten, time-wise.