January - April children: start kinder/school earlier or later??
Hi everyone, DS's birthday is Feb 25 2009 and I'm not sure whether the norm would be for him to start prep in 2014 - he'd be 4 years and 11 months, or the following year - and I'd assume he'd then be one of the eldest, if not the eldest.
I ask, because I've been calling around enquiring about enroling him into 3yo kinder next year and numerous places have told me I'd probably be better off deferring and waiting an extra year - but then he'd be turning 4 only a month after starting 3 yo kinder...does that matter?
Apparently it is becomming common for children born in the early months jan-april to wait an extra year before starting kinder/school, even though the cut-off is 5 years old by April 30. And then this would mean, while DS would be turning 6 at the beginning of prep, some kids will still be 4 years old!!
you know my thoughts
fwiw in DD1 4 yr old kinder class this year (she will be 5 in november) shes one of the youngest !! we've had about 6 or so birthdays and they have allllll turned 5, not 4.
im all for giving them the bonus year at home...whats the rush, check out Kathy Walker, shes a big advocate for going later than earlier, i dont see any bebefit in going to school young
ETA DD also has a boy in his class this year turing 6 in october...they need to emotionally and socially ready for school
My ds2 was born feb 27 2009 and he will be starting 3yo kinder in 2013, 4yo in 2014 and prep 2015. He's just way too young to be starting next year so we have made the decision to keep him back and do lots of activities with him next year- eg. Playgroup, swimming, soccer.
DD1 is April 1st.... shes turning 4 on Friday. I am keeping her home this year (she does do occassional care 8 hours a week). Next year shes off to 4 year old kinder and she will be turning 5 at the start. Its been a long thought out decision.... I just thought whats the hurry? and if she started school next year it just seems to me she would be so young. Im glad I am keeping her home this year, she doesnt quiet seem ready. Good luck on your decision
I too am another one who thinks the extra year at home is more beneficial.
At lot of the children in my sons kinder group are all turning 5 around now. In fact one little girl turned 5 in December. She comes across as a very mature and social little girl, but the year prior she was anything but so her parents kept her back the year and I think it benfited her greatly as she certainly has a lot more confidence.
My other son started Prep this year and the teachers have actually acknowledge that they have had a fairly smooth transition with all of the prepies and they said that part of that was due to having so many kids turning 6. Socially it must have its benefits.
well im going to say hold him back....when he's at school, he'll be at school till he's nearly 18!! cherish that extra year at home. but i also say that because i do think that kids tend to go better at school when they're held back that little bit. if he's at a pre school with a good education program, he will be getting all he needs until he starts school. i held DS back a year (he will be turning 6 in may) he was soooo not ready last year, but this year, he is going so well at school. he's just picking everything up right away, and he is absolutely loving it. but i know that's just my son, every kid is different....if you're still undecided by the end of the year,take him to orientation at the local school and see what they say?
My parents are both teachers, and my two brothers and I are all born in the first half of the year. We could have gone "early" but my parents, as educators, believe that the extra year at home is far far more beneficial than heading off to school early.
My little guy started at 4 years and 11 months. He would have gone crazy if he had an extra year at home. He was so excited about going and he was so ready for it. He's settled in really well and he's pretty much the same age as all the other little folk in his class. He was in pre-school last year and when I asked his teacher about holding him back for a year she had a bit of a giggle at me and told me that he was ready so I went with her judgement since she's the professional. My other little guy was one of the youngest in his class because he started under a different system and he has had no trouble. On the contrary, his teachers have never had anything that wasn't positive to say about him, he's excelling in maths and public speaking and he takes a leadership role whenever he can. Another little girl that was in his class who is older than him has been held back to repeat kindy so really it comes down to the individual child.
I think that holding a child back who is school ready just because you want them to be the oldest is silly. There isn't much benefit in being the oldest and it would be a bit depressing being the same level as kids who are a year younger. That said I think sending a child who isn't ready just because they are eligible is silly too.
The NSW education department used to have a school readiness check-list. It was stuff like being able to put their shoes on and their own clothes and being able to raise their hand to ask a question if they needed to and cutting in a straight line and so on. IMO if they tick all the boxes on the school readiness then you send them and if they don't then you keep them back.
January - April children: start kinder/school earlier or later??
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