September Born

Hi!
I am a mom and was a kindergarten teacher for 7 years. I ask--why rush it?? In my opinion it is better to have him be the oldest in the class instead of the youngest. For the early years you don't want them to struggle and be the youngest at everything. Let them wait the year and be the oldest in the class. They will be more mature and ready!! They make the dates for a reason! As they get older and the work gets harder the extra maturation time is only a positive thing! Also do you want them to be the last to do everything--driver's license, etc?? Don't be in a rush to make your child grow up. Let them enjoy the time in preschool and go full time at the "correct" time. They only get to be little once!!
My daughter has a September Birthday and I wouldn't even think of trying to get her in early!

Good Luck!
L.

I am answering as a teacher and a daughter of a first grade veteran teacher of 25 years. We have this discussion with about 20 parents or more a year. The answer has always been the same from my mother and me. Kids mentally can be ready for school, but emotionally they usually are not. I always say wouldn’t you rather your child be the oldest in the class instead of the youngest. We can always spot the youngest kids and they 95% of the time tend to have more issues. I was a September 8th baby and I am thankful every day that my mom held me back. I loved being the oldest and I was at the top of the class because of it. I noticed a difference in my maturity especially in High School. I had a lot more confidence and seemed to have better decision making skills than my younger friends. I here this from a lot of parents who seem to be so upset by this age limit. Times have changed and school is much more demanding for even kindergarteners. This is not a race to see who finishes first; it is about taking time and giving your child every opportunity that will help them to be successful.

My daughter is in kindergarten right now and she will not turn 6 until June, she is well within the age limit but I've noticed a lot of her classmates turned six early in the school year and I can really see a difference in their maturity and behaviour. If you do wait your son won't be the only "older" kindergartner and I think it would only benefit him.

As a mom and a school based speech therapist my advice would be to keep him home! In my experience no child has ever suffered from being one of the oldest in the class but being the youngest in the class is difficult. In the long run I think you will be very happy if you start him with the rest of his kindergarten age peers the following year.

My kids are mostly grown now...when my oldest missed the date...I started teaching her at home. I would go to the "Calkboard", the store with all of the school supplies, and start teaching her what I thought she could learn. It was great because I actually taught her to read and write and my younger ones joined in...when she did go to school she was ahead of the class from then on. Your money would be better spent at the Chalkboard and the time you spend is priceless.

I am a teacher and have worked in a pre-kindergarten class for children who miss the school cut off. They must turn 5 between sept. 1 and dec 1 to be in this classroom setting. As a teacher I find that some kids in this age bracket may be ready for kindergarten academically but rarely socially. They need the extra year to mature. I have never met a family who has been disappointed in letting their child have the extra time to grow. I have 3 children and my last child fell in this category. I was glad to give her the extra time and she now excels in school academically as well as socially. In summary as a teacher of pre kindergarten children and having a child fall in this category do not push for kindergarten. Find a preschool in your area that offers the prekindergarten classes for children who just miss the kindergarten cut off. I know that Trinity Lutheran School in Roselle offers an excellent for this program but not sure if that is convenient for you.

I am a September born, passed the test and went to school early. My parents and I regretted it, but not until junior high was it so apparent that I was immature and I'm female. I ended up going to college for 5 years, to catch up. I wasn't ready to face the real world at 21. My little boy was born two weeks early, on August 28th. I desperately wish he wasn't, so I didn't have to explain to anyone why I am not sending him to school for another year. Most professionals will tell you to hold him back, they are now recommending all summer babies boy or girl wait a year. In my graduating highschool class, the most sure of himself, class president etc. etc., shares my birthday but he's a year older. I'm hoping my little boy will have advantages being the oldest. Hope this helps, besides what's the big rush to have the kids grow up so fast!

Look at your local preschools and visit some of them and determine if you want to enroll your child in private kindergarten for the classroom experience. The preschool we used explained about kindergarten readiness testing.
My kids were born in April, June, and October so my October baby was always one of the oldest kids in her class. I don't think she was ready to attend kindergarten any earlier. It is also possible to get workbooks and enjoy working on numbers, letters of the alphabet etc at home even before kindergarten is ready for your child. I've purchased educational materials from local Chalkboard store.

Hi-How "ready" is your son for kindergarten? Does he know his colors, numbers, ABC's, name, etc? Is he social with other children his age. For the most part kids who miss the cut off date and have to wait a year do better. Both of my daughters and son missed the cut off. It doesn't hurt to hold them back. A few hours at a pre-school would help prepare him also. Good luck. B.

I know this is far in the future but think of the age you will send your child to college if you start him now. Just turning 18 or almost 19 if you wait a year.

Keep him home one more year. It will only benefit him. Otherwise he would be one of the youngest kids in his class.

I agree with the prev.post.I have a 15 yar old and I have seen many boys struggeling later on,because they are emotionally behind a little.Waiting is better.

Hi S.,

If it were me, I would wait until the following year. That is a very expensive test with not promising odds of passing. I have heard that boys are a bit slower to develop than girls, so it might be a blessing that he missed the cut-off. My son's birthday is October 2, and I'm glad he'll have that extra year before starting kindergarten.

I would wait -- the school district really doesn't want children who are younger than the cut off date. He will always be the youngest in the class which will be a drawback later unless he is truly an exceptional student. Instead, I suggest focusing on finding a really good pre-school program for him this year. Maybe a 4 or 5 day a week program that will really stimulate him, or other fun things to keep him busy and learning. I have a daughter whose birthday is 9/24 and she was socially and academically ready to go to school a year before she did. However, she is absolutely thriving in school now, even though I wished she could have gone earlier. She is the best reader in her first grade class. Many children in her class are on the old side, so if she had gone early she would have been significantly younger than her classmates. Good luck!

Wait Wait Wait
It is so much better to be the oldest in the class rather than the youngest. It even makes it difficult when they get to high school and they are the very last to get their driver's license, and when they go off to college they'll just be turning 18. I had a friend who started early, and she has always felt like she was the youngest and had to work harder to keep up. Especially in high school. I know all kids are different, but I think spend another year at home with him and enjoy the year. He'll be in school for what will seem like forever and you can't get this year back.

My son was born September 1st- we did get choice and my husband wanted to start him, but we are not and I am really glad. He probably could handle it but I truly believe that at some point the younger kids (especially boys) will struggle just to keep up.

i would suggest saving your cash and enjoying one more year of having your child at home!

I would not pay or push for a $500 test. I have never heard of such a thing. Is this for private school? Most of the time even if your son is very smart, he may not be emotionally ready for kindergarten. There are many good pre schools that are academic as well as fun. If your child excells in first grade they may promote him, that would be better than falling behind and having to be held back. By the time they leave kindergarten children are expected to be reading around 80 sigth words, count to 100, blending letter sounds to sound out simple words, sit still for more that 15 min and work independently. They also have to do all the old stand bys like cut color and paste. Not to mention Zip/button coat, take care of all bathroom needs, share, ect. I have one child that is young for the grade and one that we waited to send to kindergarten. You must know your child and how well they adapt to new situations. He may be one of those 2 that can pass the test but ask yourself is it worth it. If so then more power to you. You are your sons best advocate. If not please know many children do not start kindergarten at 5, and he will not stand out if he waits.

Best of Luck, Peggy. P.S. I am a mom of 3 and a Title I reading assisent that works with around 50 K - 2nd graders every day.

Does your District have a preschool within their school? If so, I'd suggest signing him up for that to start in September. Our school district has this for the little ones and they go for 1/2 a day, just like they were in Kindergarten. It's 5 days a week so they get what they need and they also get accustomed to being out of the house. This is also good because it's alot cheaper then if you were to enroll him at a daycare. If you can't, then let him stay at home for 1 more year and you teach him. Make it the same time each day so he gets accustomed to it, just say "Time for School". We have a "Brainstorm" by us and they carry a lot of school stuff for the kids. You can go there and speak to someone there to help you out. Don't fret about it, you know your son and know what's best for him. Sometimes boys take a little bit longer to mature so the extra year might be good for him. Good luck.

Unless your little boy seems to be a genius, the extra time in preschool etc. will provide him with an advantage down the road. I really don't think that it would be beneficial for the testing.

My daughter's birthday is beginning of October and she was ready academically. We did not try to get to her in early and it was the smartest thing we did. They mature so much in that extra year. Girls and boys! My daughter has so much confidence and has excelled in school. She's a jr. in highschool and is in the top 10% of her class. I would wait.

I would wait. One other thing to think about is when he gets into middle school and wants to start trying out for sports. He will be a year younger than all of the other children and that much shorter and less skillful. I am sure any decision you make will be the right choice. You are the mother and know your son best!

I would just wait and send him to school when he is old enough. It is a big advantage, especially for a boy, to be one of the older ones in the class. He will be better able to handle the academics and bigger for sports. Many parents with summer babies wait an extra year to send their kids. I did. I was a second grade teacher and saw the advantage the older kids had. They are more mature when they get to college, too. My oldest son is a summer baby and I waited an extra year. It was a good decision. My daughter has a Sept 6 birthday and she is one of the older kids in her class. It has done nothing but helped her. He will grow up fast enough and leave home. Keep him with you an extra year! I would suggest a good preschool if you feel he needs that.

I have a son born in September as well as one born in July and August. I held all of them back and they all started Kindergarten when they were 6. I also volunteered in the classes. The teachers commended me for holding them back instead of sending them when they are 5. This allows their fine motor skills to develop and they just do a better job in school. They are all out of elementary school now and are doing fantastic in school. I would recommend holding him back, after all, this is your child and you want make all of the right choices to help him be successful.

Hi Sampda,
My elder son is a Sept. 10 birthday and was 6 entering kindergarten. I didn't care and neither did he. I wish I had done the same for his brother, a July birthday. Let your son have the extra year, and if he gets bored once into grade school, get enrichment or even let him skip a semester or a grade. There isn't a boy out there who can't use an extra year of maturity in school!
Good luck,
S.

As nice as it would be to have him in school, it's probably best to wait. Youmay think he's ready, but he will be much more confident waiting a year. I know several parents in this situation, and they were all happy they waited. You'd hate to see him struggle in a few years. It may not happen immediately, but eventually it catches up!

My suggestion is just wait a year, which I think is best for the child. My son made the cut-off in one day. We did start him off going to school, but I noticed he was too immature for starting him off. He was the youngest in his grade. I could tell he just matured slower. I held him back now he is the same age as the other kids. He is now a leader instead of a follower, which I prefer. He also is extremely good at sports, and I felt sorry for him before because he was competing with boys one year older. Therefore, I would wait...what's the rush?

Testing it OK, but it doesn't really give a full picture of the child. Many other children will be his age when he does actually start school. My grandson entered school as he turned 5 (his birthday is the end of August). At first it seemed like a good idea...but by the end of first grade, it was clear he was not ready. He repeated 2nd grade. He is now very happy and fitting in nicely. Perhaps you can seek a pre-school program for your son that will provide a better fit. (1/2days 2 to 5 days per week?) It will make him feel important as he is going to school and should reduce your anxiety as well.

It's funny what we fret over. Please don't think I'm making light of your question. I see mothers on here worried that their child born in August will not be mature enough to start school and here you are worried that he needs to go ahead and start.

I have two daughters born in winter. One just started kindergarten and turned six in the middle of the year. I think she is way ahead of her peers (I have experience in the classroom), but not because of her age. I worked with her all the time before she started school. I wish she could have started earlier, but I don't think the cost is worth it. And even if they do start him, they won't work with him if he's advanced regardless of the time he starts.

Enjoy him as long as you can would be my advice and don't worry about him starting school now.

Best advice I've heard regarding this from a professional: when children start school a year early or skip a grade, they usually "make up" for it sometime later in life by taking a year off either after high school or college. In my case I did take a (professional) year off from work after college and my career suffered. I was also socially behind, always. Good luck!

Enjoy one more year in pre-school, it is the best thing we did for my youngest son. (Oct birthday) He is so much more mature and ready for Kindergarten, and he even helps his friends in class with their words etc. I can see a big difference from his brother who had a July birthday. I'm glad we waited.

I have one daughter born 8-30 who is the youngest in her class, and another daughter born 9-19 who is the oldest. Both are on high honor roll and doing great in school. I feel their success depends on the relationship between home and school and how you teach them to handle their schooling (i.e., read with them, study with them, prepare for tests, teach respect and good manners), and basically be involved with them everyday. However socially, the youngest in the class child is shy and quiet and the oldest in the class is very outgoing. My advice would be to wait until next year to send your child to school. Better have them the oldest in class than the youngest.

I used to teach and now a parent of an 11 year old August birthday. We held my son back. I will never regret it. It doesn't matter how smart your child is. It is how mature will he be when it really matters like in middle school. Do you want him to get teased? It is always better to be the oldest in the class instead of the youngest. Boys are more immature that girls especially going through puberty. Do you want him to be the last to do everything or the first? My nephew is actually 12 days younger than my son and they sent him to kindergarten when we didn't. He ended up repeating kindergarten which was hard to have his friends move up and he didn't. Your son probably wouldn't know the difference now. I hope this helps.

To chime in with the others - yes, wait. I'm in your shoes 17 years in the future. My oldest son, who will be 23 on August 26, could have gone to kindergarten at 5 because he meets the cutoff. The year he turned 5 school started the day after and I just couldn't see sending him, he didn't seem ready. It was such a good decision to wait that year with him that with his brother who is 3 years younger and has a May 31 birthday, we also purposely held him back until he turned 6 - another great decision. Their age was never an issue while in school and in college now, it doesn't make any difference at all.

Academics is only one part of success in school. At this age don't lean on a test to show your child's readiness for school, because without maturity, intelligence would do little to get him ahead. He needs to be socially and emotionally ready for school as well and giving a 5 year old another year to play won't deter his future success.

Hi there. My parents were in the same situation with me and I would say, wait the year. You start teaching him the basics at home, which I am sure you already do and next year he will be ahead of the rest. Hopefully, he can continue that lead. Plus he might be a bit more mature than the others. If he does better later on in his school years maybe he can be skipped ahead. Good luck!!

Hi,
I know that is not an easy decision, but it is actually better to hold a boy back (in most cases... they say boys do mature slower than girls). My son was born in August and after speaking with his preschool teacher, we decided to send him to a pre K class in leiu of Kintergarden for that year. Most kids in pre K are in the same situation. Older kids that are too mature for preschool, yet, not quite ready for K. It was the very best thing we could have done.
If you truley feel he is both emotionally and intellectually
ready, then I would go ahead and test. But in our case, it was the emotional reasons we held him back. He was shy and quiet and just really not sure of himself. That extra year really helped with his confidence. I guess I am all for older and easier for my child, than younger and struggling.
You know your child best and you need to talk to his preschool teacher and see what they think. I worked at a preschool and yes, some kids should not be held back. But since that is not the issue, and he is not the age to start, it may be best to allow him to stay home that extra year.
It is hard to say since I do not know your child. That is a very case by case issue. My best friend has an extreamly gifted son, and he has an early Oct. birthday. She did not rush him to get into school and she is very glad she did not.
Good luck! You will do whatever you know is best:)

Wow I had no idea the test was that expensive! Crazy!

Well I'm a teacher (pre-k, kindergarten, & primary school) and in my experience most kids sept. born who missed the deadline are just mature, good leaders in the grade they get stuck in. I've only had one student ever who would've just died if we hadn't moved him up. He was not only unusually smart which isn't really bad-- but he was very impatient and socially slow so he'd get very angry when less bright kids didn't understand what was going on and he'd behave frustrated with them. We moved him up and he has plenty of friends who are as advanced as he is and he's being challenged. But usually I'd say that in most cases the one year doesn't make such a big difference and to me, the clincher is the kid's social life not their intellect because being unusually smart isn't reason enough to move up a grade. You also want them to be happy.

Can your child go to a private or montesory (sp?) school or something?

Hello S.,

You have a lot of options right now. I would suggest not putting him in the public school at all. Educate him at home. If you do it right, he'll be much better off academically. If you decide to put him in a classroom setting ... save your money (for the test) and wait another year. In the meantime, you could do some 'schooling' at home to get him ahead. It's very easy to do in their early years and doesn't require a lot of hours because you are working one on one. :-D. Good luck!

A.

I have to agree that keeping a son home is the best thing to do for him. My son is a September birthday and there are many other things to look at besides intelligence. My sister was a teacher and is a mother of 3 boys and she held all 3 of them back. The youngest had a June birthday. She told me that kids will not always struggle at first but in the later years, and by then, it is crushing for them to be held back in front of their peers. It is far easier for you to do this for him now. BTW, my son is a straight A student and does very well socially. My daughter has a July birthday and I sent her through. We had no problems until 5th grade at which point, her problems are with social issues and maturity. (Yes, these can really hinder academic success). You can't go wrong holding him back, but you could go wrong, sending him through. Good luck to you.

My brother was born at the beginning of October and my mother had the choice to sending him early or holding hime back for another year. She decided to send him early. anyways, my brother now says that he did not like that at all. All of the kids in class were older than him and he also had to try much harder than the other kids to get the same grades.

Check out preschools and what classes they have to offer. I know that the Barlina House in Crystal Lake offers a special class for kids that turn 5 after the cut off date but before December 31st. It's 4 days a week for 2 1/2 hours each day. It's more involved than preschool but not as hard as kindergarden. This is what I will be doing with my son that was born October 27.

Hope this helps a little.

I pushed for my son to go to school "early" he missed the cut by only 2 days and so wished that I would of waited out the year. He struggled both socially and with the school work for entire year, so much that we decided to have him go another year to Kindergarten so that he would not have the same trouble in first grade - what a terrible mistake because all of his old classmates teased him about "flunking kindergarten" which was not true we chose to hold him back but you can't explain that to kids and to this day my son still states that he "flunked" but then became the oldest in his class so that he was one of the first to drive in his class which made him the big man on campus but for the wrong reason so I would say wait out the year unless you have a above average child - my sister waited out the year and my niece will graduate this year as a National merit scholar and full ride scholarships to any college of her choice...... this has more to do with maturity then intelligence when making this decision but just the opinion of a mom that wished she would of waited

I taught first grade for several years. Let me tell you that there is a definite disadvantage to being the youngest child in a class;especially for boys. He will just be turning 5 and other kids are already 6. That is a whole year difference. Think about how much growing he will do it that year. Keep him home for the year and send him to preschool again. You would much rather have a child who is ready for school and able to do well, than one that will struggle (possibly) because of maturity. But, you do know your child best.

My son was born 9-3-04 so I understand where you're coming from. In my opinion, it is much better to be the oldest kid in a class rather than the youngest. I am fully confident that my son is smart enough to be in kindergarden but I'm not sure that emotionally or socially it's a good idea, so why take that chance? I will be keeping him in preschool for the extra year and starting him in regular school the following year.

Dont bother getting tested! My daughter was also born sept 10. we struggled with the idea of getting her tested. we opted not to test and enrolled her when she was supposed to and she is much better off. She is the oldest in her class, but years down the road she will have the world at her fingertips. She'll be older and wiser. Your son will be better off too. good luck with your decision.

Hi there, i taught 4th grade for 6 years before having children of my own...so my advice would be this: dont send him. the reson isnt weather or not he is ready but for his future--esp. highschool and driving.
for a boy the general rule of thumb is hold him back/dont start him b/c you would rather have him be old in the class than younger. so that he wont be the last one to drive sports etc....for a girl it is they can go either way b/c if dating is teh case, generally the boy picks her up....its hard being the youngest. i am an august 31st bday. i just made the cut off. i was the very youngest in my gradeschool, highscool, and college classes. it stunk. i was the last to drive, turn 18 and 21. but as you can see i lived!! hope this helps a little.

mom of 2 kids 3 and 16 months

My son was born September 1. He was a very large child and very smart. I put him in at the time that he was a year younger than everyone. Oh dear. To this day I hear him say he wished I wouldn't have done that. But I figured that if I kept him back he would be way larger than everyone. I myself had an October birthday many years ago and went in early and was fine. But who knows?I am just telling you what I went through. He is now eighteen. He actually didn't end up doing super well in school but I think it was his attitude not his age. I think if you can keep your child back a year why not?

Hi. My son was born on September 6th. He is currently 6 years old and in kindergarten. He's fine. Yes, he is one of the oldest in his class but there are plenty of others born in September and October. Nobody looks at him differently and academically he is right where he should be. The only problem I have is there are some sports I feel he is ready for, but misses the cutoff for them. But that is a very minor problem to me. It's ultimately your choice, but back when I contemplated whether to push him to start school early...most of the feedback that I received implied "no". I don't regret my decision not to push him and am realizing that it's not that big of an issue after all. Good luck.

I haven't read any of your responses, so I'm sorry if I'm repeating something someone else said - but the price of that test sounds outrageous! Really, it sounds like a total racket - taking advantage of parents' anxiety. As a former first grade teacher, I can tell you that there is huge difference between the "young" first graders and the "older" ones - but by the end of 2nd grade, those differences start to even out. Also, as you've probably heard and/or noticed, all children truly are different. I've taught kids that were reading by age 4 or 5, but were not emotionally mature enough for first grade, even by age 6 and children that are emotionally ready, but lag behind academically. (The latter is usually a much better situation for learning). Bottom line - I would skip that crazy test - ask the advice of teachers that know him. If they think he's ready for kindergarten, maybe explore some private schools??? just for a year or two.... If the school district won't budge.

As a parent and a school secretary, this seems like an easy decision for me to make. First of all the state has set this deadline for a reason. I understand that no matter what the deadline is there will be people trying to get around it. If it was Aug 1st then the parents who have kids near that date would be trying to get in. Anyway... you may have heard that boys mature slower than girls. That is a generalization, but is true in most cases. My nephew's birthday is Aug 17. He was one of the youngest in his class and struggled. I have a daughter whose birthday is Sept 7. I did not try to get her in early. I just figured that she will now be the oldest and most mature in her class. This way she starts out as a confident student. Another thing to consider is the test. I've never heard of this test, however it is quite expensive and what if he doesn't pass the test. You have to be careful about how he will feel. If he is really smart and mature and you think he needs something now you can sign him up for 'tutoring' at Huntington Learning Center or some place like that. He will be going to school for the next 16 years of his life I don't really see the need to push them in early. This is just my opinion. Others may think differently and that is fine.

I have been a third grade teacher for 8 years and if this were my child I would just wait. There's NO harm in waiting to send him to Kindergarten. Is he already in a five day a week preschool program. This type of preschool program is geared for kids who either miss the deadline for kindergarten or just aren't ready. That is what I would do if I were you, but only you know your child and what's best for him. Honestly though there is NOTHING wrong with him waiting until the following year to start kindergarten. In fact, sometimes the older students will have an advantage being more mature etc. Hope this helps. Feel free to send me a message if you want to chat further about it!

My brother was born just before the cut off and my parents held him another year (he was 6 when he started). It was the best decision ever! I agree with my mom, both of us are former teachers, that boys that young need another year to fully develop and be ready for school. My daughter is in Kindergarten this year and you can tell the older boys from the younger ones and I would say hold him out and don't waste the money. Use that money towards pre-school or other day programs that will allow him to be a boy. Boy's at this age need to run and play not sit and do work. Plus, then next year he might be bored in school full day. FYI my daughter went to pre-school one year before K, and she is not bored in K and is loving school and developing normally. Good Luck! Remember that we do not have to have Little Baby Einstein's~Just let our kids be kids while they can! =)

I would definitely keep him back the extra year, don't push for him to go into it this year. We have had this situation in our family and know many others who have as well. The boys especially ALWAYS do better when they are an older member of their peer group, not younger. Even if he's ready intellectually, the extra year of pre-school won't do him any harm and socially he'll be that much more ready - and it will really benefit him when he gets into his teens.

I would wait until the following year. It is better for him to be the oldest in he class and ahead of the game rather than being the youngest and chance getting behind. If he proves to be smarter, there is always advanced classes. Good luck.

My son has a Sept. birthday and I did keep him home the extra year. I am so glad that I did. School isn't like when we were kids. It is pretty intense. Enjoy the extra year and have him go to preschool.

J.

Hi!! My son was also born in September - September 8, 2001. He waited a year to attend kindergarten and I feel it was a good idea. Actually, in his class most kids were born between September and December. I also have two girls and feel that boys are a little slower in learning . . . I would rather him be at the head of his class than at the end in learning. He is doing very well in first grade and loves it. My opinion is to wait a year . . . good luck!!

It is so hard to wait. My daughter was born in July. She is always the youngest in her class. I wish I would have held her back. My son is an October baby and school is so easy for him. He is in first grade. Another thing to think about is if your son is socially ready for school. My dad was also a September baby. He was pushed ahead but always wished he was a year behind but everything turned out okay. (He's now a PHD.) It is so tough to decide.

Coming from a home of three kids myself that were all in the same situation, here is what I can say...
My M. sent me and my brother ahead to school and held my sister back. My sister did the best in school. She was always ahead instead of behind like my brother and I who always struggled to keep up.
I think that boys tend to have an even more difficult time with this.
Best of luck with your decision.

Hi There
My Daughter was born 8-10-04, she will most likley always be the youongest in her class, which also had me concerned and I thought of waiting a year to start, I am so glad I did not she is thriving. One of her best friends turned 5 on Sept 6 so she is just like your son will always be the oldest. I have to say most of the kids 10 out of 15 were already 5 by the new year, all are really doing well. If you can I would simply watch your son and evaluate for yourself, also speak with the teacher(preschool if he went) to see her opinion.I recieved alot of great advice from her teacher (which she has had for 2 years of preschool).
I would hate to see you spend that money, when he will most likely be better off with one more year of preschool, especially the fact that it's only 2 1/2 hrs.
Good luck
V.

Hi S.:

I am no expert, but from what I have learned from our preschool and other Moms you are better to hold him back now. I also have a son and boys tend to develop and mature at a slower pace. The last thing you want is to have your son struggling through grade school and beyond in later years. I know two Moms in particular who regret not holding their sons back when they had the chance, now both boys continue to be over-challenged and frustrated. Best of luck to you in your decision making process.

Well, I am a 5th grade teacher and previously taught 3rd grade for 8 years. I have 3 sons and one daughter, boys: 25, 15, and 4, and my daughter is 10. I strongly recommend waiting a year. Even if a boy is academically ready for kindergarten, they are often not as ready in other ways. They do not sit still as easily as girls. They just don't. They are created differently. Of course, there are exceptions. I find in the older grades that boys who are the oldest in their class are generally more successful academically and socially. Boys who are youngest are usually smaller and struggle with behavior problems due to a lack of maturity. This becomes a stigma throughout their academic career. It is also an issue of self-esteem. I almost always recommend waiting for boys and not pushing it. Also, September is a late cut-off date already. Many districts' cut off dates are like June or July. My nephew was born June 12 and so he was 19 when he graduated. It sure didn't hurt him one bit. And I know for sure he would not have been ready the year before. If your son starts this year, he will graduate at 17. One year of maturity will be a great benefit to him. If you are concerned about academics, find a more academically oriented preK. At my school, the preschoolers learn to read easy words by the end of the year.

As a mom to all boys, I say wait. My second son's birthday is September 17. He is one of the youngest boys in his class since so many families held their boy back! Many parents do that because of the maturity factor and yes, many parents do it for sports reasons. Some sports are based on the child's age, but if they are based on grade level, the older kids in that grade have an advantage.

There really is no benefit to enrolling him now except that you won't have to pay for his school. There are many pre-k programs around if you want him to go somewhere every day to get ready for kindergarten. There is no need to rush. Boys seem to mature slower and take longer to learn things like tying your shoes.

M.

Just my experience...
My daughter was born Sept. 21. One of her best buddies was born Aug. 29. So her friend is the youngest in her first grade class and mine is the oldest in her kindergarten class. (Both my daughter and her pal are really, really bright kids.) Based on that observation as well as seeing some of the "youngers" in my daughter's kindergarten, all I can say is that I'm SO GLAD my daughter is on the older side rather than the younger side. She has developmental and emotional tools now that she just didn't have a year ago. Also, I can't help thinking that this will also be true when college comes along...

My son is also a September birthday (sept.12) and I am in the same spot as you. He is in Pre-K at CPS, has been for 2 years, and will be for one more. While I KNOW he would fair well, or even better, in Kindergarten if he went this Sept, I also know that it is nothing but a positive that he has another year to develop socially and mature a little more. I think people underestimate how important it is to be able to function socially for these young ones. As a former preschool teacher, ECE professional, and mommy of a Sept. 2004 boy, I'd say just wait until next year... give him another year to just grow and be lighthearted before we begin the pressure filled life of formal school.

My son has a September 7th birthday and we waited. He was definitely ready to go early, but chose not too pursue sending him early. We are glad we did! As a result, my son who is now 18 and going off to college next year, excelled at school, and now has nearly a full-ride scholarship. Yes, he's a smart kid, but I think it has to do with being ready for school in his Jr. High and High School years. You need to consider how early admittance will effect his learning in 10 years or so, especially in these educationally-challenging times (kids are being pushed into higher academics so much earlier). Besides... they're only young for such a short time - enjoy another year with him before you send him off to school - before you know it, he'll be going on to college.
C.

I have a Sept 5th child and waiting was the best option. They have Pre-K programs at many preschools that was a wonderful transition before kindergarten. My daughter is now in 4th grade and many of her friends are older than her because of the "being held back" philosophy. She also gets to participate in sports with her grade friends because the cut off is the same. I know someone who did the "tests" and it still was not a guarantee and she was not offered what was adequate so she waited.

I work at an elementary school and we have many students that have started the next year and they are very successful. I do know that many districts have said that you can go to an outside source for testing but it does not mean they have to let the child attend. In Illinois, you don't have to be in school until you are 6 years old.

When my son was starting Kindergarten, we had a friend whose son was the same age but she decided to keep him out until 6 and he was right on target when he started the next year. He was in my daughter's class.

Wait. Sign him up for a PreK program.

Greetings,

My personal experience is to wait - your son will benefit from the extra year. Even if he's very intelligent, social maturity is also very important. I made this difficult decision many years ago and my daughter has thanked me many times.

There are already so many stressors on children. He can have this time to mature and be prepared for school - without the stigma of being held back.

She flourished in school. Not only academically but with her peers. She was self-confident, mature. She ended being a real leader.

She would add - it was great to be one of the first among her friends to get her license!

Whatever you decide - my best to you and your son.

My son is now 14 and was born in August and he just made it into school for the September cut off date. If I knew then what I know now I would have held him back a year. Being the youngest in class can be a problem socially. My other 3 kids were planned to be born as one of the older kids in class and I am so grateful. It really helps put them a little ahead. If you do decide to have him take the test make sure he is socially ready for the challenges.

I would just wait another year. Your son would probably do much better and would be one of the older kids in the class instead of one of the youngest. I know a number of people who had children admitted to school early, but the children would have done better if they had waited the year. A few even were even held back.

Good luck.

J. R.

If your school district is so strict, there will be others like your son. i suggest that you save your money, 2 out of 100 is not good odds. There are other things besides age that they look at. The going philosophy today is still to keep kids back rather than pushing them forward.

Save your money and send him to a good pre-school for the next year. My son has a September birthday too and is one of the oldest in his first grade. At least in the primary years, it seems to be to a kid's advantage to be one of the older kids in the class. There is a big difference in maturity between a nearly 5 year old and a nearly 6 year old.

I am in a smiliar boat and everyone keeps telling me that there are many benefits to waiting. They are more mature, smarter and more ready for school if you wait. Why push it especially if there is a test that costs that much that he may not even pass.

That seems like a lot of money to me, especially if he doesn't pass the test. If you don't think he's ready for kidergarten I would take that money and spend it on a nice preschool instead. I was born sept. 29 and started kidergarten when I was 4. Never had a problem. Was actually very good in school.

Let him wait. Right now that is a lot of money for a slim maybe. Or, maybe you could try the home schooling thing.

Hi! Unless you son id "off the charts" in academics AND social skills I would let it go. God knew the cut off date, and knows your son. He was born at the perfect time.

Our daughter is a late Sept. and we toyed with your idea also. Very thankful we didn't and left her as is. It has been a blessing to not have her struggle to keep up. Kids go through phases...and boys tend to mature less slowly than girls. xo

I taught K for 2 years and now 2nd grade. DON'T have him tested. You will regret it. Give him one more year of Pre-School. He will thank you later on.

You should wait a year. It is just a year and your son will be more prepared and ready for school the next year. I have an august baby and we are waiting the extra year and she is eligible to start at five. We want to ensure that she is ready to go.

Hi, thought I would weigh in here also. I have 3 sons. 1 born in mid august, one in january and one in late june. the one in august we went ahead and signed up for school. he went 3 days and the kindergarten teacher recommended that we take him out and wait a year. Boy are we glad we did. When he went back the next year he was more than ready and did spectacular. The one in january also did very very well. the one in june we went ahead and sent and he ended up doing 1st grade twice. there were a couple other things going on with him speech therapy etc. But again that extra year was great for him. If your thinking of doing it only for the going to school then get him into a good preschool. if your thinking daycare cost wise most daycares don't take any money off for kindergarten. your better off to let him have the extra year.
S.

Hi S.,
I think waiting the year is a good idea. Boys mature a little later than girls and I think the extra year will pay off down the line!
Best Wishes!

My daughter was in the same dilemma. Her bday is Sept 19th, however we opted out of doing the test and just had her wait, we enrolled her in some Pre-K classes with the local park district and then she started Kindergarten the following year. She's doing just fine, she is ahead of a lot of her class-mates in some things, but it doesn't seem to bother her. She has actually told us that she enjoys being one of the oldest students in the class :)

I would not recommend this, but private schools aren't as picky at birthdates. You could send him to a private kindergarten and then public school for first and on.

My daughter's birthday is Sept 8, I felt the same way about making her wait another full year. What I did was placed her in a private kindergarten, then placed her in a Catholic school for the remainder of her grade school yrs. However after the first yr of kindergarten I could have placed her in a public school and fought the issue that she had already done kindergarten and why should she repeat it!

I have a son born September 9. The year out won't hurt him. Boys really need the time to mature. My son is now going into high school and there have been no problems at all.

We have a Sept 11, 2004 girl. SHe is fully ready for Kindergarten - academically and emotionally. We skipped the public school route, b/c even though they seem to be working with the parents to make the exception their rules seem to say otherwise - tough test that is costly and no guarantees.

She is enrolled to start Kindergarten at a private school instead. If you do go this route, though, your child would need to go to Kindergarten AND first grade prior to being able to transfer to a public school at the same grade level.

I'm in the same boat; my son was born on 9/17/04. I am lucky that I didn't have to pay for that evaluation which basically assesses their academic skills, including IQ. My son came out average and above average but they denied him because his IQ was not in the 90th percentile. We are considering other private schools because he wants to learn to read and write and can't get enough. We have him in violin lessons and even doing exercises in Pre K workbooks.

I see you made your choice and I'm sure it will prove to be the right one! I am still debating on what I want to do. I think I'm more upset that the district we are in bases their decision on extremely gifted children only.

Really depends on your child's maturity level - both academically and socially.

Hi I am a teacher and a mom and a person who was the youngest in her grade growing up. Keep you son in preschool for one year you will be doing him a HUGE favor socially, academically as well as athletically if he chooses to be an athlete. Being young in school especially from kdg. to 2nd grade is a disadvantage. developmentally they arent able to read at the same time the older kids in their grade are and this could set him up for self confidence issues. my daughter is was born at the end of june so she is young in her kdg. class and although she is bright there are things that the older kids can do that she cannot.

wow, LOTS of responses! Didn't read any of them.
My daughter was luckily born on Aug. 23rd so she was able to start kindergarten on her 5th birthday. She is doing GREAT in 1st grade this year.

A boy in my daycare turned 5 last September and our districts don't allow the testing. The only accredited kindergarten in the area that took September 5 yr olds cost $240 a week. And that wasn't even full day!

The boy stayed here this year, and if his parents had had the option of spending $600 to have him tested last year and having him in kindergarten they would have. He is SO ready and can already read lots of words, knows pretty much the whole kindergarten curriculum already. I hope he's not bored next year honestly. He was ready, but couldn't go.

I would pay to have the test done if I were you. I didn't know any school districts in this area were full day kindergarten anyway, so 2 1/2 hours is normal kindergarten hours. Cheaper then preschool in the long run and worth doing.