Holding children back = new trend

[Karina]

I was born middle of june, and Mum told me that my primary school didnt want to take me because I was so close to the cut off date. She had to make some special application to the school to get them to take me that year. So, I started when I was 4, and turned 5 in the June of that year. I was ready to start, and mum wasnt keen on having me stay back a whole year as the preschool I was at told her I was ready and it would be best to send me that year. I was able to commnicate well, I could read pretty well for a 4 year old and all that sort of stuff.
In primary school it was not really a bit deal that I was younger. The only annoying thing I remember was that in Kindy, everyone got a Dollarmites account with the Commonwealth bank, but you had to be 5 years old to have one, so I wasnt able to get one till later in the year.
There were plenty of people who were a year (or more) older than me all through school. In high school, some people were 18 months older than me. I have to admit, in year 11 and year 12, I probably was a bit immature... but I think it was also to do with the fact that school was just not a good learning environment for me. I didnt do well at school, but I excelled at TAFE the following year.

Even if the age cut off went by calender year, you'd still have up to a year in age differnce between the kids anyway? Theres really nothing much you can do to remove the age gaps. Also, if you move states, you end up with big age differences too sometimes, depending on where you are going to/from.

If preschool reckons your kids are ready for school, then they probably are. Theyre specialists in that sort of thing so they are able to assess it.

[Astrid]

Even if the age cut off went by calender year, you'd still have up to a year in age differnce between the kids anyway? Theres really nothing much you can do to remove the age gaps. Also, if you move states, you end up with big age differences too sometimes, depending on where you are going to/from.

A year gap is always going to happen, but it is much better than 16 or 18 months, which is what is happening at the moment depending on the state. At least at year 12 all students will turn 18 at some stage during the year, as opposed to some turning 18 and another bunch turning 17.

[Papillon]

But see, she wont. She wont turn 18 until the year after she finish's year 12. She will turn 17 during year 12 (well at the start basically).

So that could work in her favor, or against.

i.e having a car in year 12 would be great, BUT, being able to get into clubs, could distract her away from studies...

hmmmmprh

[Liz]

I was 17 in the January of year 12. I was driving to school, but couldn't drink haha. I didn't feel behind or like I was missing anything.

[Astrid]

But see, she wont. She wont turn 18 until the year after she finish's year 12. She will turn 17 during year 12 (well at the start basically).

So that could work in her favor, or against.

i.e having a car in year 12 would be great, BUT, being able to get into clubs, could distract her away from studies...

hmmmmprh

I found when I was in year 12 those who wanted to go out did, regardless of if they were old enough or not, as that is what their friends were doing. Also not everyone who turned 18 suddenly went out clubbing and neglected their studies, it is really one of those things that depends on personality.

[Trillian]

TBH, not being 18 in year 12 (january baby so I didn't turn 18 till the following year) certainly didn't stop me from drinking and partying...

[Tanya]

I put DD#3 into 3yo fungroup this year and she was 4 in March. So 4yo kinda next year and school in 2011...

I think most teachers see that most parents keep their kids home for longer so recommended that because there would be more than 12 months between her and some of the other kids. I KNow Violet would be more ready for school next year and would love it... but I don't want her to be at a disadvantage because of a few months....

I dunno....

[butterfly_warrior]

I didn't turn 18 until the February AFTER I finished year 12. This didn't disadvantage me in any way, shape or form. I wasn't exactly a socialite so it didn't bother me at all that others were out drinking and partying - I was happier at home with my nose in a book. For all that, I was dux of my year, and pretty bored through most of my early years of schooling. If I'd been kept back things would have been extremely painful for all concerned.

You need to look at where she's at NOW rather than what she may be wanting to do in 12-13 years time. If she's ready for school next year, then send her.

I suspect people are keeping kids back the extra year with private schools so that they're not out an extra year of school fees of their child needs to repeat. But not that long ago I was reading an article that said the "trend" was reversing - that parents were finding it more affordable to put their children in school when they are turning 5 (as opposed to 6 like this school is pushing) because it's cheaper than paying for another year of childcare.

BW