Redshirting/Waiting a YEAR to start KINDERGARTEN- how common?

[havoc315]

"But it must be becoming more common, I've heard rumors that Mt. Vernon (extreme lower Westchester) is thinking of changing the cutoff from Jan. 1 to Sept. 1. Yes, September 1 !!!!!"

Actually, I heard there is consideration to making September 1 the statewide standard.

[streetsmart]

There is at least one private school around here where the cut-off is JUNE 1st. Crazy. However, in many parts of the country the cut-off is September 1 - as in, you must be 5 on the day school starts to enter Kindergarten. It's not that uncommon.

[nadia32]

There are actually only a few states that do not have a sept.1 or earlier cut-off date. NY and CT are a rarity with the dec.1 or later cut-off date. In NY- it is for economic reasons. Many NYC private schools have June 1 cut-off date. I agree with dma- that while there are exceptions to the rule- most boys who start kindergarten at 4 or recently 5 may struggle. It is a whole new kindergarten and no one wants their child to struggle or start to be disenchanted w school and learning at an early age. The reason I said "boys" is because girls are "typically" 9 months ahead of boys in development during the early elementary school years. It is a tough call- but no one wants to have the youngest, smallest boy in the class- because it may be tough for them. Some may not be bothered a bit by it. I think it hits their self-confidence though. Boys are fragile little creatures. But ultimately- it comes down to the child. I have heard that in Westchester schools,CT and I think nationwide- there are not too many boys starting kindergarten at 4. was just wondering how true it was. will be a tough call. thanks!

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by nadia32

There are actually only a few states that do not have a sept.1 or earlier cut-off date. NY and CT are a rarity with the dec.1 or later cut-off date. In NY- it is for economic reasons. Many NYC private schools have June 1 cut-off date. I agree with dma- that while there are exceptions to the rule- most boys who start kindergarten at 4 or recently 5 may struggle. It is a whole new kindergarten and no one wants their child to struggle or start to be disenchanted w school and learning at an early age. The reason I said "boys" is because girls are "typically" 9 months ahead of boys in development during the early elementary school years. It is a tough call- but no one wants to have the youngest, smallest boy in the class- because it may be tough for them. Some may not be bothered a bit by it. I think it hits their self-confidence though. Boys are fragile little creatures. But ultimately- it comes down to the child. I have heard that in Westchester schools,CT and I think nationwide- there are not too many boys starting kindergarten at 4. was just wondering how true it was. will be a tough call. thanks!

Because of a fall birthday (today!) I started kindergarten at 4 (albeit 37 years ago!) and was fine (of course my 5th birthday was only 1 3/4 months away).

I'm curious, what would be the "economic reasons" in NY for not having a Sept. 1 cutoff date? And havoc315, my wife says she heard it may be statewide too, thanks for correcting.

[dma1250]

Originally Posted by 7 Wishes

Because of a fall birthday (today!) I started kindergarten at 4 (albeit 37 years ago!) and was fine (of course my 5th birthday was only 1 3/4 months away).

37 years ago Kindergarten consisted of building with blocks, drawing, pretend play, and dress-up. The curriculum was open-ended exploration, learning about the community, and developing self-esteem and social skills. 20 years ago (when I taught Kindergarten) that was still the primary focus. Today Kindergarten has daily direct and intentional instruction in sound/letter correspondence, vocabulary and grammar, concepts of print, spelling, writing, reading comprehension, and fluency. Most schools have weekly assessments beginning in K. There is small group differentiated instruction for additional practice on critical skills. There are Intervention programs for kindergarten students who are falling dangerously behind. In short, it bears absolutely no resemblance to the kindergarten you--or I--attended.

[nadia32]

7 wishes- I have heard that in NY there is not a statewide cut-off date due to large metropolitan areas, with families that would not be able to afford another year of daycare. Many say it is unfair to hold a child back, because there are many that are not able to do so, but would like to. California has the late cut-off date for the same reasons.

[ally2]

We recently started our daughter with an October birthday in public Kindergarten at age 4. At her school I'd estimate that 2/3 of the fall birthdays are held back and one-third start at age 4. Girls are more likely to start than boys. I really do think it's a case-by-case situation. I think we made the right decision for our daughter because she's bright, mature, and has always preferred hanging out with older kids. She loves Kindergarten and finds it easy, and I think she would be bored if she were doing this a year from now. But it does seem to be more common to hold fall birthdays back (especially the boys), and I think you have to decide which would give your child a better Kindergarten experience. I think the only downside you have to weigh is that if kids are held back and become bored, they can act out and do worse in school. Good luck - it's a hard decision!

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by dma1250

37 years ago Kindergarten consisted of building with blocks, drawing, pretend play, and dress-up. The curriculum was open-ended exploration, learning about the community, and developing self-esteem and social skills. 20 years ago (when I taught Kindergarten) that was still the primary focus. Today Kindergarten has daily direct and intentional instruction in sound/letter correspondence, vocabulary and grammar, concepts of print, spelling, writing, reading comprehension, and fluency. Most schools have weekly assessments beginning in K. There is small group differentiated instruction for additional practice on critical skills. There are Intervention programs for kindergarten students who are falling dangerously behind. In short, it bears absolutely no resemblance to the kindergarten you--or I--attended.

Didn't think about that (and should've, as I know Kindergarten was very much like that for my own kids (now age 8 and 6) and not like I remember it). Thanks for noting.

Originally Posted by nadia32

7 wishes- I have heard that in NY there is not a statewide cut-off date due to large metropolitan areas, with families that would not be able to afford another year of daycare. Many say it is unfair to hold a child back, because there are many that are not able to do so, but would like to. California has the late cut-off date for the same reasons.

I didn't think about that. Would make sense for CT too (which I know also varies the cutoff). My sister-in-law lives in NC and used to live in NY and MA (in fact she taught in MA and at least back in the 90s when she did there was a variable town-by-town cutoff) and she was annoyed that the Sept. 1 cutoff meant her daughter (born in Dec.) had to either be in pre-K or just stay home another year (she's a SAHM right now).

[CoolaTroopa]

Sometimes, if you're lucky, it can work the other way around.
I was born on January of 1982 and got to start Kindergarten in September of 1986..
My parents had to petition to the school board that I was ready for kindergarten..
I don't think it really matters how old you are when you start- some people mature intellectually faster than others though..