Should we send our daughter to Kindergarten this September?

Question

Our daughter will be 5 in mid August. She is currently in a Montesorri program and is very bright, curious, socialized, etc. Should we send her on to Kindergarten as a very young 5 yr old or hold her back 1 year to give her a chance to just be a child and mature a bit? I've heard that being the oldest in a class is an asset - I'd like her to have a leader mentality once she reaches middle school so she isn't prone to follow the crowd. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

Send her. Another year of preschool won't meet her needs. There's no reason to think making her the oldest in the class will make her a leader . I shudder to think of the pressure such expectations are putting on the child.

Answer 2

Can you enroll her in Montesorri Kindergarten?  Many areas go all the way up to 8th grade.  If she is bright and mature enough she should move on and be challenged by new and exciting curriculum (academics)  Don't hold her back for the age thing -- if she is ready she needs to move up!

Answer 3

I think you should send her to kindergarten.  School is stimulating and fun,  let her do her thing.

  Her teacher will know how to handle the work load to adjust to what she can handle.

Answer 4

If she is already 5 by August, she should go to kindergarten.  Otherwise, she'll be a year behind her same aged friends in grade level.  If she's been in a montesorri and is bright, curious, and socialized, she's ready.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I think being the oldest or youngest doesn't have too much effect on whether they are a leader or a follower. I think it has more to do with the personality of the child.  Some are more shy and don't want to lead and then some are more outgoing and think that everyone is their friend.  I have 2 kids and they are on opposite sides of the spectrum.  My daughter (5 yrs old) is outgoing and leads the pack where as my son (3 yrs old) is perfectly content following.

Answer 6

like duh!! its that the freakin law! u have to send ur kids to school...duh!!

Answer 7

You send her if you feel she is ready and not go on her age or go by what you feel would be an asset. Just because she will be the oldest in her middle school class does not guarantee that she will be the Leader and not follow the crowd. This all has to do with her personality which cannot be changed and not should you try to minipulate that.

Answer 8

yes, you should

Answer 9

That really depends more on her maturity level than anything. If you think she's ready, I would let her go on to Kindergarten. Of course, her opinion counts too. Does she want to start school?

Answer 10

if the kids go in your state at the age she is, I would send her. My birthday was in late June and I went as a young five yr old. I believe that good parenting will keep her from "following the crowd".

Answer 11

Hello - I have a good bit of experience in this area - from what you have said about your daughter she sounds ready to start kindergarten.  I think that holding back another year should be done if there is a specific reason concerning a social or skill development delay.  I'm happy to answer any other questions too!

Answer 12

your question brought back memories, I asked the same question 12 yrs ago.  I held my son back. today I am constantly "reminded" by my now 17 yr old who is a sophomore in high school about this...he hates being the oldest in his class! it may be great when they are younger, but they do grow up. my son even told me "thanks...now I can't even date a girl in high school when I am a senior" as for having a "leader mentality" if you raise her to be confident and know her self worth she will have that...no matter what age. just my humble opinion.

Answer 13

As a teacher and a mother of an April 5 year old, this question has come up in our household, too. I think It's important first to consider if your daughter is emotionally ready for kindergarten. It sounds from your description that she has been very successful in her Montessori program. She most likely has a feel for classroom routines and expectations at her grade level.  Even though the push now is for more academics at the kindergarten level, I have never seen a kindergarten class that does not incorporate fun and play into their curriculum. At this age level, teachers expect maturity levels to be different.

My teaching experience has focused on the middle school level. I can tell you from seeing hundreds of middle schoolers that age plays a very small part when you talk of 'leaders'. Individual personality and the confidence that she builds among her peers and home over a period of time will be a greater factor in whether or not she is a 'leader'.

If after reading your responses, you still have doubts, I would make an appointment with the kindergarten teacher in your daughter's potential school. Share your concerns and I'm sure that no matter what your decision, your daughter will be just fine.

Answer 14

I would send her she's the right age. Besides I was an older kid in school it sorta made me feel funny being older. Like someone else said too age does not matter when it comes to following the crowd it happens to the best of us.

Answer 15

Does she have to go to kindergarten in order to advance to first grade, or can she just enter first grade?

If so, you could keep her at the Montessori school another year if they allow that.

What would she do all year if she stayed out of kindergarten?  Where would she be?  If spinning her wheels, get her into kindergarten.  

The reason I think your daughter should get into the school system is because what if she wants to be a physician?  That's 10 years of medical school/residency.   If she enters school on time, she won't be as old when she finishes her residency.  (consider having babies and the earlier the better)  

My daughter was held back (she has a Jan birthday) after starting preschool early.  So then she skipped third grade.  She was just a smart kid.  But I'd rather she had just stayed on the track she was on of entering pre-school early.

My daughter who is younger by a year than the other kids in her 10th grade class  is a "quiet leader" type.  It is a myth that kids who are older become the leaders of the class.  Nor will your daughter be easily influenced if she is a natural leader like my kid is.  Some kids are more passive than others and therefore more easily influenced, just a fact of life.  

If you want to make her less passive, put her in sports very young. Girls who grow up in sports don't get involved with boys early and take better care of their health (no cigarettes, drugs).   Coping with the competition is very maturing and self-disciplining.  

I'd let her go to kindergarten on time.  Being younger by a few months really isn't going to matter.  Get going on teaching her to read at home, too.  Although surely the Montessori school did that for her already, right?  The one in my town teaches the students to read starting around 3 1/2 to age 4.  

Give your daughter chores to build self-discipline and make her more mature.  Also make sure she gets piano lessons now.  And do what I didn't do, and do kitchen science experiments with her to stimulate her curiosity.

A child can "be a kid" and still go to kindergarten at age 5.   Unless you want to home school her, which might not be a bad idea.  There is a book by Jessie Wise that details the elements of a classical education.  You know, formal learning doesn't have to be boring or rigid.  In fact, I think if you have the option of staying home with her and teaching her, you should home school her for kindergarten and let her start first grade.  That's what I would do if I could stay home.

And get that series by ED Hirsch called What your kindergartener needs to know, etc.  all the way thru 6th grade.  Great series.

By the way, I see some people recommend holding your daughter back.  Bad idea.  The research now shows that kids should not repeat a grade, especially for maturity reasons

Answer 16

Let her go to school as soon as possible. If after the first year you don't think  she is ready them hold her back a year. She needs to start early though. It can't hurt to find out through hands on approach.

Answer 17

I would say if she seems to hev the social skills and maturity to go send her at 5. If no then hold off another year. Being hte oldest or youngest really has no effect once they hit Jr High on if they become a leader or follower.

Answer 18

Does your daughter want to go to School and do you think she would like to go to kindergarten , My daughter was started early and she did great but she could not wait to go to School so it really depends on the child

Answer 19

my dd was a kindergarten baby, as we call it her birthday in in July, she is now going into 8th grade and doing well, (she was also 10 weeks preemie,due sept. 18 born july 3,) she is now in all advance classed and doing great. Although she not as street smart as the other kids, she hold her own. so in my opinion I would send her and if you see she not mature enough to go to first let her repeat kindergarten. But I think she will do fine...

Answer 20

First ask your daughter what she wishes to do.

Second Home School is the only way to go. Everything pertaining to public or private schools at all levels/grades are tied to Satanism. The public and private school system will destroy your daughter.

Answer 21

most children start junior infants at five.do you not think you are holding her back???.   children usually go to an early start programme at age 3--4 years and then junior infants. You cant keep them as babies forever.

Answer 22

I would say it depends on your daughter's development. Our son will be 5 at the end of October and I had every intention of keeping him in preschool for another year, but his teachers said he would on fit in well with that age group because he is mature socially and academically. Ask your daughter's teachers- they see her interact with other children and know more about her readiness.