My 4 year old son will be starting kindergarten next year i'm not sure if he is ready?

Question

I thought my son would be starting preschool this next year, but recently found out he will have to start kindergarten. He turns 5 sept. 6th, i thought there was a cut off date to where he would need to be in preschool. I don't think he is ready because i have two nephews that are currently in kindergarten and know the type of stuff they are learning.

I haven't really worked with him on reading or anything so i'm just concerned that he won't be ready. I just don't want him to be the dumb kid in class! Is there any suggestions on how to get him more prepared for school?

Answer 1

I started kindergarden when I was four. Don't hold him back another year- he'll be akwardly older than everyone else.

But no one expects a kindergardener to know how to read- they just should know what the colors are, if they see a picture of a cat, cow, dog, ect, to know what it is, and to share.

Answer 2

Over the summer, or whenever you have free time, do some of those little workbooks for young kids. By kindergarten, he should be able to recognize the alphabet and a few numbers. Teach him the little alphabet song, and make sure he can recite it. Teach him to count on his fingers, and recognize numbers. As well as academic skills, kindergarten is also where we learn basic everyday skills, such as writing, using scissors, coloring, and sometimes, kindergartners are given the task of learning how to tie their shoes. Remember that everything you learn in kindergarten sticks with you, especially morals. Sharing is caring; Treat others the way you want to be treated; If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. Kindergarten is the foundation for everything in life, so make sure he has fun, too! Best of luck!

Answer 3

You do not HAVE to send him to Kindergarten.  Children are not required to be in school until the age of six.  My son turned five last July.  We decided not to send him to Kindergarten last year and to wait until the upcoming fall to send him.  He has some behavioral and social-emotional special needs and that helped us with our decision delaying his Kindergarten another year.   I am glad that we waited.  He has progressed so much within the last year.  If you are questioning sending him then wait another year.  You can send him to preschool next fall... they will take him.  Head start will not, but regular daycare preschools will.  You know your son best... I know for mine that I made the right decision.  I would rather have him be the oldest one in the class and doing really well, then to have him be delayed behind the others, and not do well.  Talk to your school district and tell them your concerns... they will be able to help you with the decision.

Answer 4

He does not need to know how to read to enroll in kindergarten.    It would be helpful if he's familiar with his ABCs and numbers, colors and shapes, has good self-care skills (can button his own coat, go to the bathroom by himself, etc.), can sit and listen patiently for 20 minutes, and is able to ask an adult for help if he needs it.

If he has these skills, then he is ready for kindergarten.

Answer 5

Have more confidence in your child. Don't be so negative.

Don't hold him back a year. If you are so worried, then start sitting down and read to him, count with him, say the alphabet with him, etc.

Answer 6

There are pros and cons.  As a parent, you have the right to delay your son from entering into Kindergarten by one year.  It is a very personal choice and not a decision that comes easily.

Here is a good article from Family Fun magazine about whether to delay Kindergarten for a child or not.

An excerpt from the article:

"What factors identify a child as ready or not? Attention span and the ability to focus are high on the list. Even in the most child-centered environment, kindergartners are expected to be able to participate in a discussion or activity for 10 or 15 minutes. Other important factors are cognitive ability, motor skills, and social skills like taking turns and sharing. In some cases, size and extreme shyness are relevant. " (page 3)

And it goes on to detail a 'Readiness List'.

http://familyfun.go.com/parenting/child/...

Answer 7

My son will be having his "Kindergarten Graduation" tomorrow night!!!

At the beginning of the school year, his principal called me into his office.  He believed that Thomas was too young for kindergarten.  He was having a hard time fitting in and not concentrating on his work.  We decided to give him some time to see what would happen.  A few months into the year, he just took off.  All of the sudden, he was engaged in learning.  

Today, my son has learned to read (can sound out simple words) and is one of the best kids in his class.  His teacher gives them spelling lists every week with a test on Friday and he almost always gets 100%.   We work with him on his phonics and help him study his spelling list.

Don't underestimate your son!  Support him, work with him, and help him to learn.  Watch him amaze you!!

Good luck.

Answer 8

As you can see from the variety of answers you have received already, everyone has an opinion. This isn't a decision anyone else can make for you or your son. Only you know what feels like the right thing and it sounds as though you have some reservations. As a parent you have the right to hold him back but certainly discuss with his teachers the expectations they will have before you decide. I did that and I made a decision to put my daughter in PK rather than K even though she will be 5 in August. Not everyone I know supports this but I know I'm doing the right thing for her.

Good luck!

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Answer 9

send him and he will be okay plus he will graduate high school at 17 instead of 18! In the meanwhile start counting and reading and doing colors. He is smarter than you know!

Answer 10

If your state, city gives the option to the parent to hold off one more year, then do it. It's up to you. I've got no issues with that. But if you're going to, make sure for the next year, you're helping him improve so he is ready.

Answer 11

start working with him. the cutting of paper and counting reconizing the numbers 1 - 100 and site words and simple math and reconizing the different coins and colors and shapes and reconizing the alphbet and printing his name, at least his first.

it may seem a lot, but they also start to learn to read in kindergarten now too.

good luck and he will be as ready as a lot of kids that didn't go to a preschool or headstrt.

here is a site for a list of site words.

http://www.sandi.net/dingeman/kgrade/sit...

Answer 12

I would put him in a program for a couple of weeks this summer just to help him get ready. You will be so surprised how fast he will pick it all up! If you cant do that just work with him at home this summer. You have plenty of time. I do suggest preschool but it sounds like its too late for that. But definately check into a summer program for him.