I have been going back and forth for a full year now on whether to send Carter to Kindergarten in the fall. His birthday is April 29th so if we were to go next year we would be one of the youngest children in his class. I have a few qualms about this: 1) I went to school early (September birthday) and always felt like I was socially behind...now I don't know if this is because I am basically a social misfit (still am) or because I was a full year younger than some of the other children 2) Noah started K at age 6 and Wubitu will almost be 6....if Carter is working at grade level through school and Noah & Wubitu are working above grade level will it make Carter think that he isn't as smart as his siblings? 3) he still takes a 1-2 hour nap everyday and our school system only offers all day Kindergarten....will he be able to adjust or will he be a zombie for the next school year? 4) in High School he will be one of the last to drive 5) Another year of growth can help him become an even bigger football player. Obviously these last 2 are not super important but I wanted to add a few superficials.
So other this and thats: OCD ME likes the idea of having a 5th, 3rd, and 1st grader...nice and orderly...however, Noah & Carter are almost 3 years apart in age but this would make them only 2 years apart in grade (good/bad...I'm not sure)
Now I am sure he is ready academically...knows all letter and sounds, can count to 50, recognizes numbers up to 20, starting to read "sight words" and he has quite a lot of friends at school and church...no trouble in the social department so far. Plus his best friend Carter W. from church is applying to our magnet school so they could be in the same class.
So last night at the PTA meeting a cornered a poor defenseless Kindergarten teacher to ask her opinion. As I presented my endless psychobabble to the sweet lady...I realized how crazy she must think I am. I am imagining the "oh...one of those parents" flags going up, but instead she was very nice and said that with 2 years of Pre school he is probably ready for school and offered to let Carter shadow her class for a day!!!! So we will see how that goes. I could use any insight people have...please insert your opinions/advice by clicking on the "comments" link at the end of this post...that means you....I am desparate for more elements to ponder in my endless quandry over school readiness! If you stop reading my blog, I understand....Ramblings of a crazy, obsessed mom, with too much tea & chocolate (thanks for the caffeine suggestions), with too much psych training, and an internet habit is kind of scary.
So other this and thats: OCD ME likes the idea of having a 5th, 3rd, and 1st grader...nice and orderly...however, Noah & Carter are almost 3 years apart in age but this would make them only 2 years apart in grade (good/bad...I'm not sure)
Now I am sure he is ready academically...knows all letter and sounds, can count to 50, recognizes numbers up to 20, starting to read "sight words" and he has quite a lot of friends at school and church...no trouble in the social department so far. Plus his best friend Carter W. from church is applying to our magnet school so they could be in the same class.
So last night at the PTA meeting a cornered a poor defenseless Kindergarten teacher to ask her opinion. As I presented my endless psychobabble to the sweet lady...I realized how crazy she must think I am. I am imagining the "oh...one of those parents" flags going up, but instead she was very nice and said that with 2 years of Pre school he is probably ready for school and offered to let Carter shadow her class for a day!!!! So we will see how that goes. I could use any insight people have...please insert your opinions/advice by clicking on the "comments" link at the end of this post...that means you....I am desparate for more elements to ponder in my endless quandry over school readiness! If you stop reading my blog, I understand....Ramblings of a crazy, obsessed mom, with too much tea & chocolate (thanks for the caffeine suggestions), with too much psych training, and an internet habit is kind of scary.
4 comments:
Cindy said...
We went through the same thing with Justice. Our cutoff is Sept. 30th and he had a 9/5 birthday so he would either be the oldest in his class or the youngest. Justice is a very bright child and knew so much academically...but he was not ready socially. We put him in the later year. We are lucky because the school has bent over backwards to make sure that he is challenged academically and is not bored. Socially he is with the right kids and every teacher I have talked to has said that with boys it is better to do it later.
Good Luck! It is such a hard decision.
Anonymous said...
We homeschool, but in all of my reading and learning about teaching children, one thing that seems to be true in almost every boy- is that it is always better to start them later. For some reason, boys are just generally not as ready for the school setting and formal learning when girls are. I have seen this in my 2 boys as well on our homeschool.
Good luck with your decision!
Blessings,
Cindy N. (from the CHSFS forum!)
Sheri said...
I struggled as well. My Harrison has a May birthday. Becky said Harrison was more than ready, but I knew he was very emotional. He was however reading at a 3rd grade level at 4 years old. I really could have held him back a year, but daddy would have no part of it. I am so glad I sent him. He has developed well socially, much better than the year prior. (through no fault of Becky) It was as though he grew up in a few short months instead of another year of Pre-K.
Kristy said...
Yeah, WELL, your find didn't make it in the same school!!! BOO-HOO!! Here is an idea to add to the confusion. If you don't send him, will he be bored with the school work and then goof off? I say flip a coin! Did you consult his preschool teacher?