Should I hold my child back in kindergarten?

Based on this research, most clinicians and educators advise parents to avoid holding children back in a grade unless there is no other option. If your child's school is pushing for it, present them with the research and see if you can discuss other possible options.

What percentage of kindergarteners are held back?

For those years, 3,201 kindergarten students were retained, or 4% of the total; in first grade, 1,494 students were retained, or 1.9% of the total. In actual student numbers, those held back increased 36% in 2021-22 for first grade (up 547 students) and 13.9% for kindergarten (up 445 students).

Is delaying kindergarten good for the child?

Experts say that delaying kindergarten – a practice known as “redshirting” – may benefit kids in certain circumstances, but caution that there are also disadvantages to waiting. The transition into kindergarten has always been a big one for kids.

Why would someone get held back in kindergarten?

But sometimes a child's academic struggles are just one factor that the school is considering. Additional reasons that the school may cite can include: A child is very young for their grade or socially immature. A child has missed a lot of school due to serious illness.

Is it better to retain in kindergarten or first grade?

On the positive side, keeping your child in kindergarten for another year certainly reduces the likelihood he or she will begin first grade in a rough spot that could lead to long-term academic and social insecurity.

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What are the disadvantages of holding a child back from kindergarten?

A large body of research has indicated that holding a child back in school is associated with poorer academic outcomes and little social-emotional benefit. While some studies have found short-term social and academic benefits of grade retention, many of these effects fade after a few years.

What are the benefits of retaining a child in kindergarten?

Rather, we find that, relative to equally at-risk but continuously promoted children, kindergarten repeaters benefit from retention with respect to higher levels of well-being, and peer relations, and lower levels of hyperactivity, aggression and asocial behaviour.

Should I hold my 5 year old back from kindergarten?

To provide the child with an advantage

One study in the Economics of Education Review shows that kids who were redshirted kindergarten outperformed peers in their early school years and then, by eighth grade, were performing on the same level as their younger school peers, indicating a negation of any early advantage.

What grade do most kids get held back?

Who Gets Held Back, and Why? Most retentions occur in elementary school. Historically, roughly 5 percent of students in the first through the third grade repeated their grade, according to Child Trends.

Is it OK to start kindergarten at 6 years old?

Districts must admit children at the beginning of the school year (or whenever they move into a district) if they will be five years of age on or before September 1 (EC Section 48000[a]). Children who are age-eligible for kindergarten may attend any pre-kindergarten summer program maintained by the school district.

What is the best age to start kindergarten?

While development varies among children, most 5- and 6-year-olds will be able to check all of those boxes. Signs that your child is not yet ready to enter kindergarten are as follows: Your child cannot yet demonstrate age-appropriate self-help skills or ask for help when needed.

What are the benefits of redshirting kindergarten?

Current research suggests there are pros and cons to redshirting kindergarten depending upon your child's development and needs. One advantage of redshirting is the opportunity for the child to develop emotional maturity. While some students are ready academically, they may not be ready emotionally.

How crucial is kindergarten?

Kindergarten is more than just play. It is one of the most formative periods for learning and development in a child's life. At 5 to 6 years old, children begin to develop critical social skills. They engage in exploration and establish fundamental tools necessary for academic success.

Does holding kids back work?

For later grades, the research is fairly clear. Multiple studies have found that holding back middle schoolers increases their odds of dropping out of high school. “The evidence on retaining students in the later grades — I think that's unambiguously negative,” said Winters.

What are the cons of retaining students?

Grade retention has a negative impact on all areas of a child's achievement (reading, math, and language) and social-emotional adjustment (peer relationships, self-esteem, problem behaviors and attendance).

What are the negative effects of retaining students?

High-profile meta-analyses based on these studies concluded that grade retention was associated with poorer academic outcomes (including higher dropout rates) and greater risk of behavioral issues. [2] However, the studies included in these meta-analyses were mostly correlational rather than causal.

Why don t we hold kids back in school anymore?

Retaining students, regardless of the grade at which they are retained, increases the likelihood that they will drop out of school. Consistent with the Chicago findings, the advantage for retained students declined each year and disappeared altogether after three years.

What causes a kid to be held back in school?

Common Reasons Children Get Held Back in School

The goal is to give the child a second chance at a grade they found challenging, so they can be better equipped in years to come. The reasoning behind grade retention may be based on maturity, behavior, absences, academic performance, or any number of factors.

Is retaining a student a good idea?

Still, the researchers found that students who were retained had higher grade point averages and took fewer remedial courses in high school than students who had similar reading abilities but weren't held back. Another study found that English learners, specifically, also benefited from retention under the policy.

What are the cons of redshirting kindergarten?

There are some potential disadvantages to redshirting. Redshirting can be expensive because it often requires an extra year of daytime childcare, creating a hardship for many families. It can create unnecessary delays for kids who may benefit more from getting started with school.

How common is redshirting kindergarten?

Depending on the data, estimates of redshirting rates range between 3.5-5.5 percent of children eligible to enroll in kindergarten based on their age. Over 70 percent of redshirted children were born in the summer months and it is twice as common among boys as among girls.

How do you know if you should hold your child back in school?

It's important to consider the child's academic, social, and emotional development, as well as their individual needs and strengths. Research suggests that in some cases, repeating a grade can benefit a child academically and socially, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.

How do kids get held back in kindergarten?

When kids haven't built the academic skills needed for the next grade, the school may advise holding them back. The idea is that an extra year will help them catch up. But sometimes a child's academic struggles are just one factor that the school is considering.

How can I help my child behind in kindergarten?

Why is kindergarten the most important year?

Kindergarten teaches more than just numbers

It also increases individuals' sense of self, belonging, and overall well-being. Naturally, young children are egocentric, so having the opportunity to form solid friendships in the early years can help children develop lifelong social and emotional skills.