What are the pros and cons of a child starting kindergarten a year early?

Question

My 4 year old daughter was recently tested and they told me she could definately start kindergarten if I would like(school starts up on Sept. 6th).

I'm highly considering it as she is smart and I know that her age wouldn't affect her much.

But I was wondering, what are the pros and cons of this? She loves to learn and adores being in the class room(was in Pre-school last year).

I would like to hear the pros and cons from other parents.

Thanks!

Answer 1

i started kindergarten a year early too...the only thingg that i dont like about it is that im the youngest one in my grade...but that really doesnt matter...the homework is just fine for me it doesnt seem too hard and i think that if i wouldnt have startede early then the work mite have been too easy..i say go for it!!! but do w/e u think u should do and im sure it will turn out fine..good luckk!!

Answer 2

What is the cut off date in your state?  Here they have to be 5 by October 15th (which I think is way too late- it should be before the first day of school).

Every child is different.  The biggest thing to consider is her social maturity.  While she may be able to tackle any academic thing thrown at her, does she cry at the drop of a hat. Can she handle a full day with out a nap?  

You know your child best.  Go with your gut.

Answer 3

WHY would you want to do it?  Think ahead to when the child will be a teenager... the youngest in her class... everyone else getting their driver's license, dating, etc..  If she is the youngest in the class, she will be dating guys older than her - it's worth thinking about.

Why rush her?  Keep her at home another year and enjoy her.  This time will not come back.

Answer 4

when will she be 5?

5 in March, you should probably keep her home this year as she is a bit young.

Answer 5

is she emotionally ready to start?  the biggest con i see is that she'll always be the youngest and when she'll always be with kids older who are doing older kid things.  not necessarlily what i'd want my child associated with.  

our society is so intent on pushing kids these days.  i say to let her wait but get her involved in activities to challenge her: playgroups, cooking school, etc.

Answer 6

for girls.. i myself started kindergarden at age 4, ur daughter sounds alot like me, they actually moved me out of pre-k after the first day because i was way smarter than the other kids. however my daughter who started k at age 4, was not as advanced and i never really took that into consideration when i sent her off to k at age 4, because she made the cut off age by 2 days. last year, her 4th grade year we talked about holding her back. luckily after alot of hard work, she's on track & won't need to be held back.

something else to consider.. her maturity. if she has any baby like tendencies still (blankey, sippy cup, temper tantrums) then holding off a year won't hurt

for boys... i say hold them back, that way  later on they can excel in sports

Answer 7

It totally depends on your child. My friend started her daughter a year early as well and now she's in grade 3 and has had a hard go at it since grade 1. There have been lots of parent-teacher-principal meetings to discuss holding her back a year, but now with the "no child left behind" rule (which I personally hate) they can't keep her back. So, her grades will continue to suffer and she'll likely always hate school.

BUT that said, that's just one girl. You can always put her into school and if you find she's having a hard time, take her out for the year and start her again next year. She may be behind socially if she's not as mature as the other kids. But again, it totally depends on the child - I'm just playing devil's advocate here!  ;o)  

Answer 8

My son didn't start early, but then they skipped him up 2 grades from 1st to 3rd. As far as finding something that he was interested in it worked. I mean he was really bored with the lower curriculum, but I guess in a way it teaches them that they can skip steps. I don't regret moving him up, but I think he would've done better socializing with kids of his own age, instead of the older ones. So basically you can send her and get her started now, just hope that she can keep a good balance in her playtime still. Don't make her grow up too fast but one year won't hurt, probably...