I believe in trusting maternal instincts! Those books he flies through them because he satisfied the teacher. Helped build confidence. Because differences are our greatest strength. Heres what I think: were pushing these young children too hard. So in the middle of this chaos comes Covid-19 shutting the school down on March 18th in our state. If the problems are ignored and a repeat becomes necessary 3 or 4 years later, that becomes a difficult experience for a child. Family.com. Ideally, such programs allow children to develop at their own paces. She has fine motor and minor speech issues and is receiving OT help. On the other hand there is very little research on the long-term impact of starting kindergarten at different . My 6 year old daughter is in Kindergarten at a private school in NYC. It's no big deal. In her defense they JUST started really reading. Anyone that can offer advise Id appreciate it. Some children would benefit from repeating kindergarten. This is not about how smart or good or "normal" your child is. But to be fair, her daughter is "an August baby and the youngest in the class." We still have him read for 15-20 minutes per night and do his short kindergarten homework, but he is not doing much more than that at home anymore because there just isnt time and we have him to bed by 7:30 nightly. He is very smart he just had separation anxiety at first. In 2010, 6.2% of children in the US who were eligible to begin school were held back by their parents. The work done at home, or not done at home, will place all children behind where they would have been socially and academically. My son has completely lost his memory of everything he studied or learned. Kids who are already the oldest in their grade will be almost two years older than the rest of the class. Is this a public or private school? Our little guy is very social and very much aware of his surroundings even figuring out adult things out. Connect with other adults to find out what theyve noticed, and work together to help kids develop skills. Acting immature can be a sign that kids are struggling and need more support. I fear this will really hurt him! Here are more reasons kids may seem younger than other kids their age: Hyperactivity: Does the child seem to be "driven by a motor," like the . He is constantly talking about being in the first grade next. - The youngest kids may be slower to develop physically, shorter, and less advanced with sports and other interests. One child may come to school already able to read, while another can't tell A from Z. He cannot follow directions consistently enough and other kids are not being nice to him because he is more immature. Does he like to look at books? You can hire an education lawyer. I was continuously told what an eager happy angel we had, however he never progressed to the standard. Does he know how to compromise and adapt? I knew my son was young entering kindergarten. Language: Does the child have trouble pronouncing words or expressing ideas? I am also currently looking into private tutor for my If they arent doing the homework then they arent learning. He is very smart in my opinion, when he was 3 he could recite the pledge of allegiance and pledge to the Bible and much more. You have some options. Oh my goodness, yes! Thanks largely to focus and attention challenges from ADHD, he had not grasped many of the concepts taught in kindergarten. What's more, kindergartners can range in age from 4 to 6 because about 5 percent of kids repeat the year and . Check on the child's life situation. I found out that a bunch of kids in my grade were like 21 months younger than me. At the end of the year, most of the children go to first grade. All these things combined he has had a pretty tough Kindergarten. If the speech therapist agrees with the teacher, youll know what to do. This is a misconception, and one that can be detrimental to the decision-making process. The Australian Curriculum is fairly static, which means that by repeating a year, a child will have an opportunity to revise past learnings, fill in the gaps and retain the information. Hes very good with numbers, has a very extensive vocabulary, can spell a lot of his 144 sight words that I taught him because the teachers were not able to help him through them for some reason. I have a little girl in my class who only just made the age cut off for kindergarten. Holding your child back a year in the beginning of their school . For all anyone knows, your child could end up perfectly on track by the fall. My frustration is with the teacher and her seeming intent in holding my little guy back for whatever reason by not supplying the tools necessary to help him be successful in kindergarten. While this justification has some merit, retention could actually be detrimental. He loves school and I would hate to give him the stigma of repeating when it's something he doesn't have control over. Posted on 1/25/23 at 9:54 pm to WhoDatKrewe. Yes, some children learned to read on their own, but it was not a requirement. Repeating a grade, or grade retention, is rarely a good choice for a child who struggles academically, behaviorally, or socially. My son is in what they call the foundation year, kindergarten. I just wanted to know what are my rights as a parent in the state of Texas. Long story short, even with academic support over the summer our son bombed in first grade, and ! My best friend has a child who is 6 months old, a girl, and said to be 100% ready for 1st grade by her teacher. So, if a child's birthday falls into dates . She's been a teacher for over 20 years, and says she . They need specific intervention. ALL kids can learn to read the Orton Gillingham method. Other signs your child may benefit from another go-around include: If you're considering having your child repeat the year, he or she is most likely behind in more than one of these areas -- and there's little question that a student is better off starting first grade in step with the rest of the class. in his conversations with me, and he is 5 years old ! Hi Jeanie, We both went on to finish college. Hi, So finally did you decide on this? My parents had me repeat 1st grade. Where are the numbers to let us know if screening is working? Repeating Kindergarten. Not sure what to do, you speak to a few experts, do your research, and decide to chance it and send your child on to kindergarten. I'm glad he isn't going to high school next year. I dont understand how everythings good then him needing little help then last month hes way behind !?? School!. Where are they? Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. I taught gifted children in my career as a teacher who were held back in kindergarten by demanding and close minded teachers and parents. What kind of long-term effects, if any, can result from repeating or not repeating a grade? This study was from Taiwan where the cut-off date, similar to the U.S., is August 31. It cannot be allowed to be a lost year. He has some learning challenges (I think a learning disability), and has been in speech since he was 2. . The recommendation to repeat the year is not a comment on your child's intelligence; it's a comment on your child's maturity. Students who are retained are more likely to drop out of school compared . C books are recommended, but not required. Sammy, for instance, could discuss ancient Troy but couldn't draw a stick figure. These questions concerned me, but I knew that repeating kindergarten was the right thing for my son. Thread starter katie111; Start date May 30, 2013; K. katie111 DIS Veteran. My mom refused to have me held back, as there was nothing wrong with my intellect; in fact, I surpassed my peers in reading skills, as I began reading simple words at age 2 1/2- 3 years old and read story books aloud to my Kindergarten class. What could really be wrong about giving kids another year in kindergarten to let their social emotional skills mature? Can he run and jump, play catch, bounce a ball, dance? I have enrolled him in a new school for a fresh start. Ideally, a kindergarten program will be flexible enough to meet the diverse needs of all its students. Make an effort to understand why the teacher is suggesting retention. And in fact, thats what im going to do. More academic focus. Im so upset! In the United States, this also refers to creating laws that set cutoff dates slightly before New Year's in order to "redshirt" children born in the later part of the calendar year (often September to December) for the . Emily you are 100% percent correct! Here's what my takeaways were: - Being the youngest in the class is universally hard. This can make them cranky during the day. Ive seen the damage done to countless students by the change, and much joy and celebration robbed from early education. Child. Now school is over and although his teacher told me throughout the semester that he will most likely be repeating kindergarten, the school promoted him to fist grade. Babies are born with immature immune systems. Parents. First should we allow him to repeat kindergarten ? The decision to hold a child backoften called " red-shirting . Repeating a grade increases the risk. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. If they arent reading, it isnt even a question that they remain in kindergarten. First Trimester To-Do List: Take Care of Yourself. etc. He was immature socially and emotionally but was sight reading at 4. Because there won't be any more school, in her opinion Julia should repeat kindergarten again. It could just as well be learning disabilities that make it hard for these children to get good grades. Your gut reaction may be to defend your child. Hes great at math though. Your child is young for the grade, however, and repeating might give him more even footing with the other children in kindergarten. Every answer seems wrong! Q: Even though he had an early August birthday, we started our son in kindergarten at a private Christian school. The data also suggests that in spite of having all these resources and manpower, kids who repeat kindergarten dont do as well as their first or second grade classmates once they make it into those grades. I had 2 children held back and come to find out BOTH have dyslexia. Some children might suffer from the social stigma of repeating a grade and end up feeling embarrassed and ashamed, leading to a negative self-concept. The kids are expected to write sentences and use inventive spelling (spell phonetically) for words that they havent learned yet. When faced with the decision, the first step is to meet with your child's teacher (and principal and school psychologist, if possible) to find out exactly why the experts think another year would be productive. Specific pieces of knowledge are really only part of the picture, though. What could be wrong with taking more time to grow up? In the past, repeating a grade was more popular and was typically suggested if a child was viewed as underachieving or unable to cope due to various factors such as social immaturity, long-term absences, long-term illnesses, behavioural or emotional challenges. Anxiety and shyness are surprisingly common in kids. Holding back in those first 3 years is very detrimental for most who are not lower IQ, have a disability, or cannot adjust. You may want to seek help from the school in having your child assessed for school readiness. What could be bad about spending more time on these skills before going to first grade? Many of them suggest parents seek independent evaluation for specific developmental delays and then, if the results warrant it, spend time in occupational therapy over the summer to try to catch up. I now have a Bachelors and Masters Degree and taught 31 years. 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. I would like to know what specific research you have found that states that retaining is not beneficial. The hardest part of repeating a grade is dealing with questions about your age. Ask yourself these questions: Lets imagine that you have a child you werent really sure was ready for kindergarten. Studies have shown that by the time they enter middle school, kids who repeated kindergarten are more likely to get into trouble, dislike school, and feel bad about themselves. If starting school is postponed for boys with birthdays after, say, June 1, "immature" boys suddenly become those with birthdays after March 1. Kindergarten has been a struggle for him, in reference to compliance with directions, social interactions with peers (picking up on social ques), acting out towards other kids perceived to have slighted him, impulse control and executive function. "Should Your Child Repeat Kindergarten?" There is typically little-to-no social stigma with repeating kindergarten; kids are often all too happy to get to do so. Backing up . Thanks in advance for any help you can offer! We are questioning ourselved non stop, and havent made a decision yet. The recommendation to repeat the year is not a comment on your child's intelligence; it's a comment on your child's maturity. But know that teachers dont make the recommendation to repeat kindergarten without a lot of thought. He ended up repeating Kindergarten and is doing great, having just finished 7th grade. They needed less remediation, and they earned higher grades while enrolled. This article is not accurate in the standards that are taught and need to be mastered. He lives with adults and communicates like a little adult. He cries often, and doesnt follow directions very well, but loves to look at picture books and make up funny rhymes. ended up repeating first grade. I did not have an early birthday, just was low in a lot of areas and immature for my age. Im so conflicted. Students are required to not only know ALL letters and sounds but all sight words by mid year. This is by far the hardest decision Ive ever made. You may want to seek help from the school in having your child assessed for school readiness. Because children develop at such different rates and the kindergarten age span can run from 4 to 6, there is a tremendous range in social, physical and cognitive development. Going back to the blending.. he know all the alphabet and every sound. Julia Layton How could a child flunk out of kindergarten? Weve read to him every day for long periods of time since he was 2 months old. Repeating a grade at this age can sometimes be beneficial. Teachers don't suggest this because they think it's funny, they do it because they know the child and what's best for it. Pre-first is more about social and emotional immaturity than it is about academics, educators say. They did some testing prior to the start of the As a speech language pathologist, I . Take a closer look at the immature behavior and see if you pick up on patterns. Every child is different. Hyperactivity, trouble with focus, and not getting enough sleep can be factors. They did some testing prior to the start Grade retention has a negative impact on all areas of a child's achievement (reading, math, and language) and socio-emotional adjustment (peer relationships, self-esteem, problem behaviors and attendance). Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company. Was my bright little boy going to flunk kindergarten, I wondered, because he didn't care about arts and crafts? He may grow physically and may feel comfortable amongst his peers. Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning. Staying in kindergarten means not only repeat exposure to the curriculum and so a greater chance of picking it up, but it also means being the oldest -- and most knowledgeable, mature and capable -- student in class, which can increase confidence dramatically, setting the tone for long-term positive self-concept and continued school success. For some children, a bridge class between kindergarten and first grade offers time to grow. But know that teachers don't make the recommendation to repeat kindergarten without a lot of thought. We were reassured that they would work with his math and build on what he knows with reading, but not once did we hear anything about resources that can help him with reading if we chose to put him in first gradethat was made out to be just another burden for someone to do. This will be much easier if you're honest, telling your parents you love to spend time with them but unfortunately doing so at their house is a not negotiable. Exactly Emily, these kids with dyslexia are NOT going to magically learn to read. A fantastic memory, the main reason they want to possibly repeat kindergarten is due When I returned to a regular classroom, teachers were supposed to teach to the test, and the whole year was focused on preparing children for standardized tests. Many kids have moments when they dont act their age. . There is not anything you can do about that in time to help your current five year old. Can he grip a pencil and cut paper with a scissors? Beyond that, though, things can get a bit confusing: Which skills is your child behind on? They went on to read and read and read, but at 5 and 6, could not write a single sentence or read those books I was reading to them that were the simple childhood stories. (June 5, 2012) http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=987, Help Children Succeed: Make Kindergarten Mandatory in All 50 States. Repeating Kindergarten, delaying formal schooling, giving them more time to 'play' and explore their interests and develop more whatever you want to call it, we have made the call and are happy we did. Kristin J. Carothers, PhD is a clinical child psychologist devoted to the destigmatization of mental health problems. Our son barely showed up on it. My daughter is able to read, not fluently, C books and am meeting with her teacher to discuss the gift of another year of kindergarten. FamilyEducation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The truth is, development among kindergarten-age children varies tremendously. What am I supposed to do though? Praying my daughter will make the right decision. Was it the finger painting that did her in, or was it story time? Emotional. I am NOT allowing this at all ! He can build master structures with a huge number of plastic blocks of all sizes and do things with triangular and square magnets that are amazing. He has an attention issue. How can ANY teacher of those first 3 years determine ability for success in the future for a child that young ??? the decision of repeating kindergarten, and children's academic performance in higher grades. At this stage, children have passed through toddlerhood and are more mature, socially aware, and willing to interact with peers. 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Children go to first grade was from Taiwan where the cut-off date similar! As a parent in the first grade OT help more likely to drop out of school compared knows. On these skills before going to do March 18th in our state stick figure % of children kindergarten. Little-To-No social stigma with repeating kindergarten was the right thing for my if they arent learning his. Won & # x27 ; s been a teacher for over 20,! Very well, but it was not a requirement of those first 3 years determine ability success! Homework then they arent learning getting enough sleep can be factors feel amongst! Call the foundation year, most of the class is universally hard a misconception, and says she we,! Im going to magically learn to read, while another ca n't tell a from Z to students...