September Birthday Child Starting Kindergarden Early

It depends on the kid. If she is smart enough and you think she will adjust well then I think she would be ready for it. If you think that she is ready then she probably is.

My daughters birthday is September 31st. I struggled with her being the baby in her class vs the oldest. She did 1 1/2 years of preschool and I left it up to them as to if she was ready for Kindergarten. She was. So far she has excelled so hopefully she does need to repeat Kindergarten but I have always been prepared for it if she does need to. And maybe not in Kinderfarten maybe at a later time she won't be excelling and holding her back is always an option. :-) Hope this helps.

My birthday is like your daughter's and my mom put me in kindergarten a year early. While I was ready academically, I was not ready emotionally or socially. When I started first grade I cried every day because I didn't like being away from my mom and sister all day long. After 2 weeks of crying every day, my mom decided to hold me back and put me back in kindergarten. I AM SO GLAD SHE HAD THE WISDOM and discernment and courage to do that. That must have been difficult to have her child repeat a grade, but I felt much more secure as a result. I just wanted to be with Mommy.

After that I was always at the top of my class as opposed to the bottom and felt very smart and confident and mature. I imagine it would have been a different, less positive experience if I had continued on when I wasn't ready. I ended up skipping a grade in high school (by this time I was ready to advance) and then graduated half a year early on top of that, so in the long run I started college before the people I had originally started kindergarten with. I even graduated as my high school class salutatorian and a valedictorian in college. In the end, being held back (or possibly starting kindergarten a year later in your child's situation) didn't delay or hinder my progress whatsoever, nor was it an indication of my lack of intelligence.

Each child and situation is unique. Do you think she would be fine being away from you? Do you want to spend more time with her and keep her home longer or do you want a break and one-on-one time with your other child? Do you want your kids closer or further apart in school? I loved being only a year apart in school with my sister. It helped us be a part of each other's peer groups and we shared a lot of the same friends. Keep in mind that she'll be starting college and possibly moving out a year earlier if she starts kindergarten now. You may like the idea of her getting a head start on life, or you may want to keep her home and under your influence longer. Is she small for her age as I was? Even though I was a year older than everyone I was always still the smallest kid in the class. My children are born during the summer and I wonder what I'll do regarding kindergarten with them as well. I'm sure you'll make a good decision!

Our son started K-5 this year at 4 1/2. We were hesitant, but he's doing great and loving it. We only did it because he was begging to go to school and where we were going, the K-4 stuff he had mastered. It was a little slow getting started, but he kept up with a little bit of help. He's still totally loving it. If your daughter seems ready, I say go for it. You don't want her to be bored later if she's ready now. I should add, since boys mature a little slower generally, we're still undecided if he should go to 1st grade next year, but the teachers seem to feel he's ready. I'm jsut afraid for Jr. High when all his friends hit puberty and he's still a little boy. Our nephew is going through that now. That's the toughest issue I've noticed for the younger kids in class, both from teaching and from family.

Just thought I would let you know that I was a September birthday, and was sent as soon as I turned five. I did well in school and actually graduated a year and a half early. I now have six children of my own, two of which were September birthdays. The first one is now 19 and has graduated and is working as a fork lift operator, although he just got extended an invitation to attend one of the best schools in the country for heavy duty equipment repair, which he is considering. The second one is 11 and is very bright as well. She gets good grades and loves school. So here is the question I would ask you, does she want to start now? If she is saying she wants to start school, then she is ready, but if she seems hesitant, then she is probably not emotionally ready yet. I firmly believe it should be decided on a case by case basis, and there is more than academics to decide if the child is ready. Whatever you decide, make sure it is a joint decision, there is nothing worse than eating crow for a bad decision you made on your own. Good luck and God bless!

My daughter turned 5 last year on Sept 7th and I put her in early. She was actually not even 5 when school started since it started in mid August. . I had her in Pre K first, I think that is crucial to get them used to knowing structure, listening in class, getting along with other kids, following instructions. Did your daughter go to any type of preschool? The preschool should let you know if she is ready if she did. My daughter had some maturing peer type stuff but academically she left Kindergarten reading on a second grade level!!! She is now finishing up first grade and doing great. I will do the same thing with my son who is almost four now, he will be five in July and I will see how he does in Pre K next year before I decide.
Like the school told me, you can always put her in and if in a few months it isn't working take her out and wait another year....good luck. I can add too that I was a November bday and was the oldest when I went into Kindgergarten and could not stand it. I was taller then my classmates for the most part and it was just not comfortable.
Have your daughter tested by the school too to see if they think she is ready, most districts will do that.

A., I have had the same issue come up when my daughter was starting school. I struggled with the fact that my daughter would be starting Kindergarten at age 5, but turning 6 in November. She did have the opportunity to enroll in the state funded Early Learners Kindergarten program at her elementary school last year (for kids who turn 5 after Sept. 1st, but before Jan 1st). They taught a similar curriculum, but at a slower pace. Honestly, looking back, she would have done just as great if the class was at the same pace as the normal Kindergarten class, but many kids are just not as mature, which is the reason for the cutoff date in Kindergarten. The option was there for me to have her start first grade this year, but I decided not to because she would have been far behind, having not been taught to read yet. Although, I was disappointed my daughter would be one of the oldest in class, I am finding that she is much better prepared than most kids and her reading level is fantastic, as her school offers an accelerated reading program for all grade levels. That brings me to this point, she will grasp her subjects fairly easy in the coming years, and most likely will graduate high school early. She will be able to participate in extracurricular activities without the academic struggle. It will work out better in the end. I hope I could be of help. Sorry for such a lengthy response.

My daughter also has an early sept bday and we started her in kindergarten full time. I did flip flop for months but then decided she was ready. My situation was the opposite. She was emotionally ready but not quite academically. We just caught her up over the summer and she is performing up to speed and loves going to school every day. Of course every child is an individual, but for us it was the right decision. Also keep in mind there are always other children on the younger side in the class and the teacher is used to dealing with the varying levels. You could also talk to one of the Kindergarten teachers at the school she would attend to get their take on it. That's what we did and it was a big help. I find I tend to underestimate what my children can do and handle. They always surprise me. Good luck with your decision!

A.

We moved from Canada this year and my son was 5 in september. When we lived in canada all children start school at 5. My son was getting ready to start kindergarten in Montreal and he would have been going full days also, i think this was basically to deal with the french and english they have to learn. Other parts of canada I know they start at 5 and they usually go half days so he would have really had no choice but to start school at 5.

My son started here in Aurora at 5, he was ready to start and I can see no difference between the 5 and 6 year olds. He loves it there. If the child is used to going to daycare ocassionally I personally dont think the ages make a difference.

Hi A.,

Having been in this position myself (w/ a November child), I am VERY glad I did NOT start her early. While it was frustrating the first year because she already knew everything they taught in kindergarten, she is socially where she is supposed to be AND she is AHEAD of 90% of the class. If she's so far ahead in 2nd grade, you have the option to move her up a grade.

Bottom line is that I would rather have her AHEAD of the class than behind and less mature than the others. Believe me, when she's a teenager, you'll probably want her to be the older child than the younger one...think about that.

Good luck! :)

Everyone has given you some great input. I am a Kindergarten teacher and I think you need to speak with the Pre-K teachers, but you also need to consider long term. I was held back, but a good friend of mine was not. She really struggled because she was the last to do everything. She also said she felt like even though she was the oldest in her family she was the youngest in her class and she was always babied. If she is ready academically then you can always work owth her at home. The social readiness id huge. I can always pick out the young ones within the first day of school, and as many pointed out those are alwyas the ones we suggest repeating Kinder. What's the harm in getting one more year with her at home? It's a tough decision, good luck!

Hi! I am a high school math teacher. I noticed the August and September birthdays were a factor for some of my 9th graders. I saw it most in boys. It wasn't the acedemics they struggled with, but maturity in getting their work done when asked. Most of the kids were bright kids. Two family members of mine have June birthdays. One was put in school as scheduled (a girl) and one waited a year(a boy). The child who was put in as scheduled really struggled through school and the other did not. Hope this helps. It is a personal decision, but it never hurts to wait at this age. It will be harder as the child gets older to hold them back a year.

A.,

I started my son in Kindergarten when he was barely 5 (8/14 is his birthday)...I knew he was academically ready also, would have been bored a year later, but we are having some issues as far as listening/respecting teacher (now in 1st grade) because sometimes he "just doesn't want to" do whatever he's supposed to be doing at the time. So...I think maturity wise he was a bit young (on top of being 6 wks. premature), HOWEVER, I think although I only have boys myself, girls are already becoming more mature and are more respectful and willing to listen and do what they are told, so I think you should go ahead and start her. You could have boredom problems as well if you waited. Good Luck!

A.,
My children are not summer/fall birthdays, but I have several friends/relatives who's children are. I think it's a personal decision and one you won't make lightly. I would recommend sitting down with your child's pre-k teachers and get their insight as this is their expertise.. getting children ready for school.

It does seem that by holding your child, there are only pros, as you're giving your child an advantage both academically and emotionally. Look past elementary school, and think of your child in high school... driving, athletics, etc.

Whatever your decision, if you've taken the time to really think it through, you shouldn't have any regrets either way.

I also had a September birthday and went into Kindergarten when I was four. I always excelled academically, but struggled in the emotional maturity area. My friends all started puberty earlier than me, I drove last, and I found that I was more sensitive. Some of that could have been just my personality, but regardless I always felt I was one step behind.

I now have a son who's birthday is in Sept. We have decided to put him in our districts early learner program. It is specifically designed for children whose birthdays fall between Sept. and Dec. I definitely agree that it is a case by case decision, but you have to think of the grand scheme of things. Your child will only be 17 when going off to college, not even a 'legal' adult and will be making decisions on their own. Will she be mature enough for that? Will she be ready to take on the world? I know you will not know these things now, but it is something to consider. Why push her? They are only little once.

One more thought from a special education teacher. A friend once shared with me that a majority of the children in her special education class were put into kindergarten early. Initially they were with their class, but eventually fell behind. Just a thought. Good luck with your decision(my husband wanted to put my son in early, I didn't)

i don't necessarily have any hints, but i will say that you aren't alone.

my son will be 5 on aug. 31, 2009. the cut off where we are is 12:01 am sept 1. he makes the cut off by less than 4 hours, literally.

my main reservation is that he has always been the oldest of the gang, not the youngest. and i don't really know how he will deal with suddenly being the youngest. he's a pretty gentle, laid back child and isn't terribly overbearing with the younger kids. but he sometimes gets walked on and pushed around when he's the youngest of the group.

i know he is smart enough and has everything he needs academically (and we have another year to work on stuff still). my concern is whether he will be ready emotionally.

he is in preschool this year. again, he's the oldest of the group. but next year he'll be in the kindergarten prep class and will be the youngest. that will be our test year. if he has problems with next year's preschool class, we might decide to wait a year on K. but i doubt that will happen. i just hope that he won't become a rougher child than he is now because of the influence of the older kids.

i don't know that this helps, but at least you aren't alone in the issue.

As a teacher I have never heard of a parent regretting the decision to wait a year to start kindergarten. But I have heard many parents who didn't wait, wish they had.

And I concur with the other teachers who mentioned that they can always tell the August/September birthdays within the first few days of school. This difference is made even more pronounced since there are many families who do wait a year. Some children turn 6 in May-August while your daughter will just be turning five as school starts. That's a big difference.