Holding child back in Kindergarten...PARENTS ONLY PLEASE?

Question

Ok, heres my delema...me and my hubby have a 5 year old son, who is about to go into 1st grade. His problem is that he is a slow learner, and nothing eles. The teachers and aides (and etc, say that he just has his own way of learnig things) But... the big problem is when the class moves on to learn a new lesson he forgets what he has learned 3-5 days before. Thus.. not getting anything about the new lesson. I would like to hold him back to let his abilities catch up with him, my hubby thinks its "stupid" to hold back in kindergarten. I would rather hold back now then in 3rd grade or later. The teachers where my child goes to school agree with my hubby, but as a mother, i feel i need this to happen. I dont want the question later, "Well, if we would of held him back in kinddy......." Please, if any of yall could give me your honest thoughts, id appreciate it alot!!! THANKS!!

Answer 1

kids learn things when the are developmental ready. I learned this with my daughter. She's in the first grade and just turned seven. all through the year so far she was really behind on her reading. I mean the teacher and I would go round and round about what to do. Well one day my daughter just pick up this book like 4 levels higher than she was and just read it. She was ready and realized she wanted to do it. Your son seems like that maybe the case. If I were you I would hold him back. He would benefit from another year of learning the same stuff and it wouldn't be to hard to make friends again or be as upset and he could be about the friend thing if he was held back later. Besides his birthday seems really close to the cut off date. He probally wasn't ready yet

Answer 2

when does he turn 6? my step sons birthday is in november, no naturally he is ahead of the other kids in his class a little bit. but he is wayyy behind the 1st graders.  kindergarden is the best to hold him back in. he is clearly not ready for school. and i would consiter an all day kindergarden program! with a small class--i am not religous but i know that private christian schools have great private kindergarden classes.

and primrose school has a great all day kindergarden. its pricey but he might need it!!!  

talk to his teacher, she will be able to help you best with this because she IS A  kindergarden teacher they usually know if he will succeed!!

kindergarden is important for childrens needs, writing and reading skills!!! dont listen to that guy!

Answer 3

As a teacher, I will tell you that I have heard other teachers talk about not holding back "slow learners" because they "aren't going to make much progress anyway".  It seems to me that they are giving up on the child.  I have some first grade students who don't know the alphabet yet.  I think you need to follow your gut.  You know your child the best.  Also, 5 is a young 1st grader.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Yes there is really no reason for him to be held back in the kindergarten. Children forget things all the time. Have you ever asked his teacher about the other kids in the class, if they forget sometimes too? My daughter is seven and in the 1st grade and extremely smart and she forgets how to do somethings sometimes too. Instead of holding him back, you might want to try new techniques to help him remember the lessons. Try to find some activities to do at home to help him put to use what he has learned and then he should start to remember alot better. But holding him back is not the answer.

Answer 5

Well, as they say, "mother knows best". You are your child's only advocate. If you feel this strongly about holding him back then you should. Think about it carefully before deciding. A couple of things to think about:

It could become a self-esteem issue if he's not moving on with friends. And, would you rather him struggle at his current grade level or hold him back and let him be ahead of the class next year? IF he is to be held back now is the time, not later.

You know his maturity and personality better than anyone. Good luck with your decision.

Answer 6

Ok here is my thought on that. It sounds like your little guy has a learning disability, believe me I went through the same thing. What your going to have to do is take more time with him at home. I would not suggest that you hold him back, but he does need some help.

Find someone to help,I went through the same thing as a child. My mother held me back alot but she never had me tested or anything to see if I had a learning disability and to be honest, they really didn't know what learning disabilities were back than. I think it would be best for you to find your little guy some help. There is nothing wrong with learning disabilities unless you don't get anything done for him.

Don't tell him he is special, that hurts kids. If the school where he is going doesn't have anyone to help. Than find a different school. This will last his whole life unless you don't get it taken care of now.

Answer 7

There's really no purpose in holding a child back in Kindergarten. First of all, Kindergarten doesn't really teach anything except social skills and acclimating the child to a school environment. Secondly, you should be speaking to someone in your district about getting your son an IEP and some services to work on his problem. Holding him back is not the answer.

Answer 8

Children mature at different rates.  Some are ready for school at 5 and some aren't.  Here in Missouri, your child would probably not have started Kindergarten this year as he was born on the cut off date.  I have been teaching in public schools in Missouri for over 30 years and have seen many children who were held back in Kindergarten.  It has helped many of them.  If a child is to be held back, the earlier you do it the better.  Considering how young he is compared to the other kids in his class I think it would be a good idea to hold him back and let him mature.  If no one (husband) makes a big issue of it, your child will not be bothered by it and it could make a world of difference in his education.

Contrary to what many people believe, kindergarten is more than just socialization.  We have  full day kindergarten and the children today are basically doing what first graders did when you were in school.  Our kindergarten class is reading and doing easy addition and subtraction by the end of the year.

Answer 9

There so much going through the Kindergarten class at times they do forget. But you can work with him during summer. My mom kept telling me that they going to hold my son who is 6 now and in kindergarten has well. They are moving him to first grade. He learning so well. He has learning disability and ADHD has well. He goes to school all day everyday since at time take him out for Speech therapy Ot at his school. I told my mom that she was wrong. I went through Kindergarten twice because my mom thought she started me early. I would work with him during the summer. I be doing that with my oldest to keep up his memory so be ready to school again.