Should I send my child to kindergarten or wait a year?

It makes sense to go to kindergarten if your child usually keeps up in conversation and play. If not, it might make sense to wait a year. For kids who've missed a lot of school, the decision usually comes down to two things: language development and pre-academic skills.

Is it better to wait a year for kindergarten?

Kelli Johnson: Some research suggests a one-year delay in kindergarten can help kids be more focused and calmer in school. But experts agree there's a lot we don't know about what makes a child kindergarten-ready.

What are the drawbacks to delaying a child's enrollment in a kindergarten program?

Some studies have concluded that children who begin kindergarten later have less motivation and overall lower academic performance as high school students. It has also been found that 'redshirted' students have a greater chance, however slight, of dropping out of high school than those who started school on time.

Should I hold my child back a year before kindergarten?

Delaying kindergarten for a year may provide a small advantage to children. However, if you suspect your child has special needs or a disability, you may want to avoid redshirting and start school as soon as possible to get them the services they need.

What age is best to start kindergarten?

An almost-5-year-old who has a late summer birthday — and who is cognitively and emotionally mature for their age — could be ready for kindergarten.

The signs of readiness when deciding to send your child to Kindergarten

Is it OK to start kindergarten at 6 years old?

No. Pursuant to EC 48000(a), a child is eligible for kindergarten if the child will have his or her fifth birthday by September 1.

Is it better to be the oldest kid in kindergarten or the youngest?

Studies show that older students often outperform their younger peers in the early years, but the older kids typically lose their advantage in the long run. In fact, some research shows that the younger students who have to strive to keep up with the older kids ultimately become more successful.

Is delaying kindergarten good for the child?

Abstract. Is it beneficial to delay the age at which children begin kindergarten? New research finds that kids who enter at age 6 instead of age 5 — especially kids from disadvantaged families — do significantly better on standardized tests and learn more from schooling.

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.

What is redshirting in kindergarten?

This practice, called academic redshirting , is intended to give students another year to mature emotionally, academically, or physically before starting kindergarten. Experts said it's become increasingly popular among upper middle class, college-educated parents .

What are the effects of holding a child back in kindergarten?

But this plan can backfire. 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.

How do you know if your child is not ready for kindergarten?

What if I don't think my 5 year old is ready for kindergarten?

If you don't think your child is ready, you can apply for permission to wait a year. If you do choose to wait, use that time to help your child develop the skills they need so they can be ready for kindergarten next year. You can do this at home, in a preschool or with a play group.

Is it better to start kindergarten at 4 or 5?

It really depends on the kid. "Kids should be with developmental age peers as much as possible since kindergarten builds not just academics but social skills, too," said Deanna Lapen, a Los Angeles-based school psychologist and former kindergarten teacher. "With that being said, every child is an individual.

Is 7 years old too old for kindergarten?

In most states, children must be 5 years old by August or September to enter kindergarten that academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Does the age that children start kindergarten matter?

Our estimates clearly indicate that children's reading and math abilities increase much more quickly once they begin kindergarten than they would have increased during the same time period if they delayed kindergarten entry.

How common is redshirting kindergarten?

White families were about twice as likely to redshirt their kindergarteners than Black and Hispanic families. Nearly eight percent (7.8 percent) of white students and 6.4 percent of Asian students were redshirted, compared to 3.5 percent of Black students and 4.0 percent of Hispanic students.

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.

Why send your child to kindergarten?

A year in kindergarten provides your child with the opportunity to learn patience, as well as the ability to take turns, share, and listen to others — all social and emotional learning skills that he will use through his school years and beyond.

Do some people skip kindergarten?

In California, where kindergarten is not mandatory, enrollment for that grade fell 10.1% from the 2019-20 to 2021-22 school year.

Is it okay to not go to kindergarten?

Kindergarten is not compulsory in California and most other states, although it is mandated in 19 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Education Commission of the States, a research group that tracks education policy. Children are required to be enrolled in school at age 6 in California.

Is it normal to skip kindergarten?

California is one of 32 states where kindergarten is optional. It's an option that experts have increasingly come to disagree with. Children that skip kindergarten, they argue, arrive in first grade behind their peers in key areas like reading.

What year is the hardest with kids?

These findings may seem surprising if you've never had an 8-year-old, but there are some reasons a child's eighth year can be especially challenging from a parent's perspective. Eight-year-olds can be stubborn, slamming doors and rolling their eyes, in their attempts to establish their independence and individuality.

How do I decide to send my child to kindergarten?

A child should be able to sit and focus on schoolwork, including topics they don't like, before coming to school. If your child can sit with good posture, pay attention, and even work independently for an extended length of time, they may be ready to start kindergarten early.

Is it a disadvantage to be youngest in class?

"We also know from previous research that the youngest members of a class also have other disadvantages—for example, they are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD and to have difficulties with reading, spelling, or arithmetic."