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Georgia Babies
Pre-K
My son's birthday is in October so he miss the cutoff for school year.
He's currently in a private school Pre-school program with daycare. He will be going there for Pre-k and Kindergaten. The Director of our daycare suggested that William's aptitude is at par with all the 3 year kids at his room and she has no concern with him moving to pre-school ahead. Since they are not private, they can do this. All up to us.
Anybody been in this situation? What did y'all do? Pros? Cons? TIA
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Re: Pre-K
I think you have to look at a few factors. He may be "educationally" ready, but is he emotionally, socially and physically ready to be with the older kids?
We are dealing with this right now with Grant. His birthday is Aug 8th, so right before the cutoff. We have decided to hold him back. I have talked to teacher's, friends and my Pedi about this, and have heard from the teacher's that they can always tell the kids (especially boys) that have the late birthdays, and my Pedi told me just yesterday that he's never heard anyone complain or regret their decision to hold back...but has had plenty of people regret sending them early.
Really you have to look at your situation and William and see what's best for him.
After teaching for 8 years...most of the time I could spot the kids with late birthdays who squeaked by the deadline date (both boys and girls) They were still a little more immature than their peers. Now...when it came to their education, most of them were just fine. They just had a hard time when it came to structured time and following instructions. I also think that boys who start early and have late birthdays are at a disadvantage when it comes to sports. I know that sounds very shallow....
You know your little one best and I am sure you will make the right decision for him and your family.
Abigail Taylor 09.18.2008
We have this issue. I'm actually surprised they recommended you moving him ahead. We go to private preschool with a pre-K and I asked up front about moving Colin up b/c he's only 5 days after the cutoff. They said they don't allow and only a few private schools will allow it. We'd then have to keep him in private school until 2nd grade so you might consider that if you're thinking of public schools.
Anyway, all that said, everything I've read and all the teachers, parents, etc. say not to push ahead, esp. for boys. It seems most kids with birthdays July on 'hold back' and those with September on stay in the grade they should. Hayden is the opposite, his birthday is today actually and so he's a few weeks before the cutoff. We'll hold him back so he won't be the youngest.
DH's bday is 7/20 and my sister's is 8/25. Both of them started with their classes and both did fine! They were the youngest, but they'll tell you it never really mattered.
I, however, always resented that I was the oldest in my class and probably would've been fine in the grade higher if it weren't for my Oct. bday.
FYIW, Connor's birthday is August 8th (just turned 3), and we're already planning to hold him back next year. He's physically on the smaller side so I think that will help. I also think the extra year will help him develop emotionally. Plus, the majority of kids in his daycare class have birthdays after the cutoff, so more will be staying. We've talked to a ton of people about this - his teachers, other educators and parents facing a similar situation. I'd say 90% of them told us to hold him back. We're planning to keep him in his daycare for pre-k, then to public kindergarten. That said, that's what works for us ... every family and every child is different!
Julie
Yes, its possible
I don't know how other schools do it, but Grant's school separate the Pre-K classes into birthdays (early birthday, mid year and late) and treat the classes accordingly (the class for the early birthday kids--the ones who turn or already 5 when school starts--is run just like a Kindergarten class, and the one for the later birthday's moves at a little slower pace. That works for us since we are holding Grant back a year he will start in the late birthday class, then move to the early birthday class when he's 5 and start Kinder. when he's 6.
Yep, and it does seem weird when they are this young! There is a big difference in maturity between 4 and 5 yr olds.
Donna, we have the same situation with Kate being Oct 3rd bday. For the longest she was the youngest in her class because she was always emotionally and educationally good with the older kids, but now she's moving up with the Pre-K school year kids, so she is one of the oldest in her classes.
I've talked to alot of people about this now and from everything I've heard, I think it will be to her and William's advantage to be the oldest ones!
Donna, I would go with your gut on this. I personally think children thrive when they are challenged. I wouldn't want my child to be bored in a classroom. But at the same time, you don't want to push him too far if he's not ready emotionally--just need to find the balance.
My nephew is beyond bored in his first grade class. His birthday is in Oct--he should really be in 2nd grade. He also has an older sibling and is very tall for his age (he looks 2 yrs older)
Both DH and I were always the youngest in our classrooms. His birthday is late Oct and I'm early Nov. I turned out better than DH grades-wise
but I think that can be attributed to the quality of my education versus his.
OK, the part about this thread I am not understanding is the part with kids who DO make the cutoff. Why on earth would anyone put them in the class AFTER theirs (unless there was a real academic need for it)? I am an Aug. 22 birthday. (Happy birthday to me, by the way, next weekend--LOL!) Anyway, I was one of the younger ones in my class and did just fine, I think. I would not have liked being in a grade lower than my peers. Back when I was in school (which was a long time ago, I know), the cutoff was Oct. 31. Yes, there was a guy in my class who had a Halloween birthday. He was the youngest. I NEVER would think of holding Kate back another year--her birthday is July 8. I am really confused by this.
My niece has a Sept. 21 birthday. She was not held back. I can't remember what the cutoff is (end of Sept???). She is very bright, so no issues there (or with maturity), but she is the smallest. I honestly don't think there are any other issues other than her size. So I guess she won't be the playground bully. LOL! Not her personality, anyway.
ETA: OK, I hadn't read all of the responses, and I totally get that it is a family decision and you make the decision that's best for your child. But there is part of me that says a cutoff is a cutoff. So go with the group you should be in. KWIM?
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I have birthday late sept also and my parents started me early as well. Totally agree......I had self esteem issues, I was smart enough academically though but I was immature. SC had a birthday in Nov and we are going to Prek NEXT year, so she will be the oldest...which is fine by me!