Kindergarten question.

MelBee12 · November 2010

Totally random, but I'm reading that the cut off birthday for kindergarten in NC is August 31st. (or Sept 1st, whatever). DS was born August 29th. WTHeck do I do? Do I really want him to be the youngest in his class and possibly struggle, or wait until the next year where he'll be the oldest in his class and definitely ready. Thoughts? Has anyone been in a similar situation?

raceyrae · November 2010

My birthday is Aug 17th. I started school at 5 and it worked out well for me. My brother was also born Aug 17 (2 years later but my mom held my brother back one year because she didn't think he was ready. It was probably a good move for him. My sister was born Aug. 2nd (it gets cold in November in WI -- lots of snuggling . My mom held her back also and it seems to have worked well for her.

Having been the youngest in my class, it was hard for me to have to wait longer to do things (drive, date, etc.) but educationally it was the right time for me to go to school.

I think it will really depend on how your DS is doing in preschool, whether you think it's better to wait or not.

Mrs.LLG · November 2010

I don't have a choice but DS's birthday is September 11 so he misses the cutoff by 12 days. He'll be the oldest in the class and I'm completely fine with it. In fact, I think I would have held him out had he been born 12 days prior. Boys tend to progress for lack of a better word right now slower than girls and in the long run I believe that it will be better for him to be the oldest rather than the youngest in his class.

My husband was always the youngest in his class and to this day is not happy about it. LOL

alchris · November 2010

Speaking as an elementary school counselor by profession, it totally depends on the child. I strongly believe that children should be 5 by the first day of kindergarten, and the 8/31 cutoff is close enough at 6 days after the start of school. He's so close, I really don't think you should decide until the year before.

Not to scare you, but literally the first thing we asked when considering whether to retain a child was their birthday. Children with summer birthdays were considered "babies" and were a lot more likely to be retained; it's not to say they weren't intelligent and wouldn't do OK in school over the years, but they just weren't ready, and a 2nd year of K (or a 2nd year of 1st) often solved the problem and often they really excelled that 2nd year and from that point on. But it would have been nice not to have to retain the child...they remember that, you know?

Speaking personally, by birthday was 1 day before the cutoff in Washington, and my parents kept me back. I was always the oldest and I'm very grateful.

akspriss · November 2010

I think it varies from kid to kid but with boys I def. thing holding them back will greatly benefit them...i will not have to worry cuz DS is oct. 9th so he will always be one of the oldest.

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