Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Kindergarten Redshirting

Have you ever hear that term redshirting? It's the practice of postponing an age-eligible child front entering kindergarten for a year. I recently realized that my oldest will be eligible to go to kindergarten next year. Which means that by the end of this year or as late as early (Jan) next year I need to make a decision about when and were he goes.

When did that happen???????? He is only going to be 4 at the end of July, only 4! He will then turn 5 at the end of July 2011 and technically be eligible to go to Kindergarten in Aug/Sept 2011. Again...when did that happen.

I am struggling with the decision for him to do Pre-K again or go to Kindergarten. Why am I thinking about this now you ask? Because no matter what I decide that application/registration process needs to be completed by, anywhere between the end of Nov 2010 to the end of Jan 2011. I know as well as the rest of you that the time will be here before I know it. I am also looking early because this is also going to cost me. He will have to do a full day no matter where he goes as well as a before and after care. I need to make sure that I will be able to afford it or start putting aside now to supplement. Argghhhh!

Have you hear of the postponing of school for kids with summer birthdays? I hear it practiced even more for boys. How do you know if they are ready? How do you know they aren't? Where is the handbook? I would love to know others thoughts on the subject.

Look at him, I just want to make the right choice.
ciccio_smile

14 comments:

  1. I am thinking about it too. Miller's birthday is June 2nd and he will be 4. Harper has a June birthday too and we sent her. Of course, everyone says girls mature faster than boys. It is a really tough decision to make. I definitely feel your pain. In the end no matter what decision you make, it will be the right one for you and your family.

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  2. Hmmm, that is a tough one. We're actually registering W.W. for kindergarten next week. He is having his official preschool completion ceremony today. I suppose the only thing that made the decision easier is we are dependent on our sitter so he goes to school in the same district as our sitter. Good luck with the decision.

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  3. OMgoodness, Cara, I am so not ready to think about this. It's hard, knowing that you need to make arrangements without yet knowing whether he'll be ready to go. But you do have time, even though it doesn't feel like it. If you do the groundwork now, even if he goes later you'll know more.
    Lovely photo, of course. Is that a popsicle face? :)

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  4. Hmm. That is tough.
    How did he do in preK? Do you think he is socially ready? What do his current teachers think?

    Grace's bday is in August and we will see how preK goes before making the decision whether to send her or not. Todd's bday is in July and he graduated at 17 and loved being younger. It depends on the kid I guess.
    Good luck!

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  5. We actually have the opposite situation here. Since Nadia has a November bday, she will not be elligible for kindergarten until next fall when she will be almost 6, so she'll always be one of the oldest in her class. I have mixed feelings about that....I think socially and academically she's ready now, but I'm glad to keep her as my baby for an extra year. Good luck making the right choice for Fransesco! Oh, and that picture? GORGEOUS!

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  6. My daughter's birthday is in July (she'll be 4 this year). I signed her up for a weekly play group just over a year ago. She loved it so much, that I registered her for their pre-school program and she'll start their pre-k program in the fall. It just kind of worked out for us that this place offered all of the programs under one roof. It makes the transition so much easier for her. On the other hand, Kindergarten...I haven't even allowed myself to THINK of yet!! Good luck with your decision.

    Oh, and his portrait...precious!!!

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  7. Can you believe Harrison finishes Preschool this year! He starts Kindergarten in Sep. The real question for me is, "Am I ready?" Eek! He's a March birthday and just turned 5. A lot of educators say it's good to be the oldest and others say it's good to be the youngest. That doesn't help.

    Do you have developmental Kindergarten where you live? We have it but Harrison isn't eligible.

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  8. It is a hard decision. I think you need to see how you think he is progressing and speak to his daycare teachers. With Anya, I know she will ready, with a May birthday. Kai is December, so we didn't have that issue with him, but he was pretty ready when that time arrived. Go with your gut feeling.

    Oh yeah, and that full day Kindergarten fees sucks! I know what mean in that. It's going to be around $4K for us, plus before and after care. Not fun.

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  9. Bryce will be 5 at the end of July and he's "supposed" to start Kindergarten this fall. We've decided to hold him back until next year for a variety of developmental reasons. It's a really hard decision to make, but my thought is this. I've never heard anyone say, "Gee, I really wish we hadn't held so and so back a year". On the other hand I've heard many people question if their child wouldn't have benefited from a years delay. It's a big decision, either way. Good luck!

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  10. Always trust your gut. He is your kid and you know him best.

    You will do right by him :)

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  11. My son Ben is repeating Kindergarten. His teacher and I think he needs another year. Even if you put him in Kindergarten and he's not ready, that's always an option. Don't stress too much. you'll know what the right thing to do is. I know you will.

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  12. My youngest isn't even two yet and I've wondered about this since before he was born. He makes the deadline by three days. Three stupid days. If only he wouldn't have decided to enter the world three weeks early I wouldn't have to decide.

    Good luck. And no matter what at least he's cute.

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  13. Technically redshirting is a term that refers to delaying or suspending a college athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility that has been hijacked by academia. Regardless, I was an academic redshirt and it worked out pretty well for me:) See you June 4th!

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  14. I have heard about people holding off on Kindergarten for their summer birthday kids. I think it all depends on how you feel Francesco is doing. How is he doing in preschool? Talk to his teachers. Do they feel like he is right on par with the rest of his class? Do they feel like he might need the extra time to get ready?

    Zoe will be 5 on June 30th. She'll be off to Kindergarten in September. I have to say I didn't think twice about sending her. She's just ready.

    Whatever you do... you just need to trust that you know what's best for your boy!

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