Have any of you held your child back from starting kindergarten?

Question

My son is only 2 (he'll be 3 on June 24th) but I've been told that since he's a younger 3, and a boy, I might want to consider waiting a year before starting kindergarten. I know I will have to decide when the time comes, but have any of you done this? If so, what do you think of the outcome? Thanks.

Answer 1

No, but I wish I had. I just didn't feel he was ready to leave Kindergarten once he finish and was pushed along to the first grade and at the end of first grade I knew he wasn't ready to move on. So I ended up holding him back in the first grade. His understanding was there and he knew his classmates had moved on with out him. He was so disappointed and upset with me. he eventually adjusted. He was also the baby of all my children and the only boy. So think long and hard and go with your gut.

Answer 2

My son is 3 and i was told the same thing, his birthday is the end of August, however he is doing good in preschool and really likes it, so when the time comes, I'm enrolling him.

Answer 3

My son's birthday is the cutoff day for starting school. We had him screened for kindergarten at the age of 4, but he was definitely not ready to start. This year, he has no choice but t start and when he was screened, there was a much bigger improvement. He is more ready this year. The extra year really helped. What I can say from experience is, have him screened, then go from there. The guidance counselor at his school can help you to make a desicion as to what to do. Best of Luck!

Answer 4

Wait until you are closer to time for him to start kindergarten, and your choice will be easier. It might be good to enroll him in like a 2 day or three day preschool (we did it with my daughter from 9-12 three days a week) when he's 4, and the'll be able to help you evaluate if it's necessary. It's more common for boys, but it's really on a child by child basis. It won't be an issue for him at all, socially, but don't do it just to do it!

Answer 5

The age cut off here is in the beginning of January for the children to be able to start Kindergarten for that year. My son made it by only 2 weeks as his birthday is the end of December.  I wish i had waited - he was still too young and struggled as much as he did enjoy it.  The result - he repeated the year and has jumped forward now in leaps and bounds.

Answer 6

My son started Kindergarten at age 4 and turned 5 two weeks later.  He did fine that year, but he wasn't quite ready for 1st grade (they do a lot more work and a lot less play then they used to do).  Luckily our school system had a transition class for those younger kids who needed a little extra time to mature but would have been bored to tears repeating Kindergarten.  I say hold him back, there's not a whole lot of negative to one extra year with Mommy at home, but there can be a lot of long-term issues with maturity, size (sports) etc, especially for a boy if he is the youngest in his grade or close to it.

Answer 7

My brother went to preK because he was very little and now he is SUPER TALL AND SKINNY- 6'5 and 125 lbs but no one thinks it matters http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

Answer 8

I held back my daughter- it gave her extra time to mature and learn a few more social skills-I read an article that children who are held back before starting have a few advantages and do better academically- I wish I had made the same choice with my son.