Okay, I've read (well, skimmed) through most of this thread and I have just one issue. I really don't have a problem with people red-shirting their kids WHEN NECESSARY, but it's annoying that it has gotten to be the norm.
My 12-year old has an August 1st birthday, and we sent him to Kindergarten right after he turned five. We consulted the preschool and the elementary school (where the counselor told us he was scoring at the first grade level on all the academic and social skills testing - basically told us there was no way we could wait another year). His grades are in the high 90's every term, he has many good friends, is very social and is involved in several sports as well as the band and scouting. Each year I bring up the subject of his "youth" with his teachers and they all have agreed that he is where he should be.
However, I am constantly asked by other mothers why I didn't hold him back. I hear that it's "always better to be the older child in the class". And that's what I'm hearing in this thread that's making me crazy!!! It's NOT a given that being older is better. That's making a sweeping generalization that is simply not true. Some children may need an extra year to "be ready" for K (although I agree that it's probably far less children than are actually held back), but don't assume every child needs this. If so, wouldn't the school districts be changing the cut off dates, so that every child WAS older?? It just makes no sense.
FWIW, most boys are held back in our district for one reason - to be bigger and stronger to play sports in high school. The parents will admit to this if asked. I wonder if half the boys will even play sports in high school....
My 12-year old has an August 1st birthday, and we sent him to Kindergarten right after he turned five. We consulted the preschool and the elementary school (where the counselor told us he was scoring at the first grade level on all the academic and social skills testing - basically told us there was no way we could wait another year). His grades are in the high 90's every term, he has many good friends, is very social and is involved in several sports as well as the band and scouting. Each year I bring up the subject of his "youth" with his teachers and they all have agreed that he is where he should be.
However, I am constantly asked by other mothers why I didn't hold him back. I hear that it's "always better to be the older child in the class". And that's what I'm hearing in this thread that's making me crazy!!! It's NOT a given that being older is better. That's making a sweeping generalization that is simply not true. Some children may need an extra year to "be ready" for K (although I agree that it's probably far less children than are actually held back), but don't assume every child needs this. If so, wouldn't the school districts be changing the cut off dates, so that every child WAS older?? It just makes no sense.
FWIW, most boys are held back in our district for one reason - to be bigger and stronger to play sports in high school. The parents will admit to this if asked. I wonder if half the boys will even play sports in high school....