Would you rather your kindergartner be close to the youngest in her class, or oldest?

Question

My daughter starts Kindergarten this year and will be the youngest in her class, so I'd like to hear from you...

Answer 1

I'm pretty sure that once your child is in kindergarten for awhile, she'll adjust and get comfortable. (Don't expect these results overnight.) HOWEVER, she is still at that "stage" where people make friends without much effort. Have you ever seen a young kid walk up to another, and immediately become best friends? It'll kind of be like that in kindergarten. I think she'll be fine....

Answer 2

oldest younger ones get picked on and feel left out. older kids are cooler kids so they can brag a little. and theyll b ahead of the rest of the kids in school. unless the child is totally ready and brilliant. i was. but i was 4.

Answer 3

It really depends on your child's maturity level.  Can they sit for extended periods of time?  Can they attend to a task for 10 minutes at a time?  Are they articulate enough to be able to ask for help when they need it?  Kindergarteners nowdays are expected to be able to complete first grade type work.  They have to be able to know their ABCs, count rote to 100, write their name, and be able to read by the time they leave kindergarten.  If your child has a good head start on these academic things, (ie went to a good preschool, had help from home) then you need to worry more about the maturity level of your child.  Can they separate pretty easily from you in unfamiliar surroundings?  Its a little more up in the air for girls, since they mature faster than boys, typically.  If it were a son, I'd tell parents to wait and let the boy be on the older side to go to kindergarten, just based on the maturity level required.  Girls tend to do better in traditional school settings where lots of sitting and listening is required, but it really depends on your individual child's temperment and cognitive level.  Age only means so much....  Another option is to wait until half the year is over, send her for half of kindergarten and then have her transition to first the following year with the rest of her class.  For my oldest daughter, she missed the cutoff date by a month, but had gone to a quality preschool for 3 years prior and was already beginning to read by the time she was allowed to go to kindergarten.  Had I known that I could have entered her into kindergarten halfway through (as soon as she had her birthday and was 5- in CA) I would have done that.  She was bored stiff in kindergarten, was not challenged at all, and was starting to be a behavior problem.  What we did was halfway through kindergarten that she attended, we had her tested and moved up to first grade.  The next year, she went on to second with her peers.  Now, she is on the younger side, but she is cognitively where she is challenged and is doing great.  She is moving on to fourth grade next year, and while she is near the youngest end of the class, it was a good move for her to be with the kids that were more her cognitive level.  So, really, it just depends on your child.  Hope this helps!  I know it can be confusing and worrisome trying to decide when to enter your child into kindergarten.  Good luck!

Answer 4

Well, it's a very difficult question,because while she can learn more from older children, there's also the risk that other children can abuse of the superiority of their age. I really think that depends a lot of the child.

In my case I will rather my son to be with children same age or younger, because he is very shy, completely passive, she don't defend himself of bully children.

You can observe her at the park from distance to see if she feel secure around older children, does she prefer to play with younger or older? if some children show some aggression, does she cry and look for your support or speak out and defend herself?

Also, it could be very stressful if she is very behind, if the other children can write her name and she don't, etc. Talk to the teacher, I feel she can tell you better.

Good luck!

Answer 5

It doesn't matter what age is your daughter, what matters is her grades & what is she learning right now.

Answer 6

It really depends on the child. Generally, older is better but that is more true of boys than girls. If she seems ready to you then send her. Does she separate from you easily? Can she sit in a group long enough to listen to a story? Does she know colors and shapes? Does she understand concepts such as in/out, more/less, before/after? Can she wait her turn? Does she know a few letters and numbers? Has she had a good preschool experience? Only you really know your child. By the way, the school will administer some kind of screening. Take the results into consideration but don't depend on them to make your decision. Lots of young children are frightened by the testing and don't do as well as they should. The school may not use the screening results to keep her from entering school.

Answer 7

My mom had the same decision to make me because my birthday was a few days before the cut off date. Ultimately, she decided to send me to school a year later, so that I would be one of the oldest students. To this day she has had no regrets and I am happy that she did it because I have had no problems in school and i am always one of the smartest kids in the class!

Answer 8

The answer is based on maturity.  If your daughter is mature for her  years, she will relate to kids who are likewise.  And, vice versa.

Answer 9

I would definitely wish she were one of the oldest.  That extra year makes a big difference and gives her an extra edge.  There is a huge difference between a four year old and a five year old. That's a whole year of extra learning and growing.  I'd rather she was more than ready than not quite ready.  Plus I would love to have her at home with me for that extra year.  Time with her is precious if you can keep her home for an extra year you will both benefit!  Enjoy this time, it goes fast!

Answer 10

Generally girls are more mature at this age then boys, so a younger girl would not concern me as much as a younger boy.

Preparation for school, knowing how to write your name, knowing your abc's, numbers and basic skills is something that will help your daughter.

Also keeping in constant contact with your daughter's kindergarten teacher, and finding out what progress she is making and what areas you might need to reinforce will help her.

If the teacher find that she is not making adquate progress don't be afraid to hold her back and repeat kindergarten. I am not saying that, that will happen.

Kindergarten is the best grade to repeat, and its best to address any problems early verus later.  

I think that if your daughter has your support and the basic skills that she needs she will be just fine.  Your concern and involvement is the best thing she has in her corner. :)

Answer 11

it depends if u think shes ready for school. if she's not i would hold her back a year

Answer 12

I would rather have my child close to all the kids  in the class.This exposes her to all stages of development.Children mature and become aware at different times in their lives. It is good to have her deal with all of them.

Answer 13

She will be better off as near the oldest!   She will be more mature, better able to sit still, and her brain more attuned to acquiring knowledge.    

I know I was one of the youngest and had a horrible time sitting still (If I remember being told to sit still 50 years later you know I would have been better off waiting a year!!!)

Answer 14

It depends on the child.  If you think they're ready for kindergarten then send them.  If they're not, then hold them back.  I was 17 when I graduated high school, but I was always an excellent student, so it worked for me.

It's a personal decision.