Comments on: Kindergarten can wait

By: jenn

jenn — Mon, 17 May 2010 04:21:27 +0000

Is kindergarten required in RI? There are contradictory laws on the books — on the one hand, it seems that kids need to complete kindergarten to get into first grade, but on the other, kids don’t have to be in school until age 6….

Maybe it means you can delay but you can’t skip kindergarten?

By: Tricia

Tricia — Sun, 16 May 2010 19:44:40 +0000

My guys are almost three but I have already been “worrying” about this. They have been going to a half day daycare program which they love, but will be “too old” to attend anymore by the end of the summer. There is GREAT pressure here in Spain to put your kids in all day school starting at three years old so that you can “secure” their spot in a decent public school. Although we have dutifully applied, I think I will be keeping them out of school until they start kindergarten….when they are 6…

By: Emily from ReadytoWait.com

Emily from ReadytoWait.com — Sat, 01 May 2010 13:03:23 +0000

We made the same decision a year ago. Our son just didn’t seem ready and so he did an extra year of preschool. We are all excited for him to start elementary school in the fall when he will be operating out of a place of strength. Here is my post about this issue of stamina and how it played into our decision:

http://readytowait.com/journal/2010/2/21/plenty-bright-enough.html

By: kathleen

kathleen — Sat, 01 May 2010 10:49:01 +0000

i put my son in kindergarden and was relucant… although he was smart was it kindergarden ready smart. with in about 2 months i got my answers. he was always such a great kid and the reports i was getting from his teacher was opposite. we decided after much pray that it was not the right thing for him. i pulled him out of kindergarden and into a play focus preschool. as soon as we took him out he did a total turn around and was flourishing again. he is now in 4th grade, he is on the honor roll and the star of his school play. i could not be more proud. i know i made the right decision by taking him out. now he is the great student and all around kid i knew he could be. i know if i would have keep him in he would not be at this same place now.

By: Jenn @ Beautiful Calling

Jenn @ Beautiful Calling — Sat, 01 May 2010 02:22:40 +0000

I think we will be the same way. They are little for such a short time and soon enough they will begin that school ‘career’.

It’s good to be brave and do what feels right for your family even when it is different than what others do!!

By: Carol

Carol — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:26:06 +0000

I think following your instincts about your child is the best guide. For a long time, I didn’t think a preschool had much to offer my son. Then he reached a point, when he was about 3 and a half, and just seemed so *ready*. I can’t really explain it – something just turned.

So we enrolled him two half days (3 hours), just increased to 3 half day a week in a play-based preschool. I was worried about the separation, which has always been an issue, but he had no anxiety at all. He literally jumped into the middle of an exercise class of 20 kids he didn’t know, stretching his arms this way and that, waving to me while I left to register him.

By: angelina

angelina — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:45:15 +0000

amazing isnt it. how just ONE YEAR can change them so much…
xxx

By: Hannah Marcotti

Hannah Marcotti — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:41:04 +0000

Such a beautiful perspective. Eli will be going to K next fall and I had that moment of panic. Do I want him to burst into the world of homework and sitting down all day? It’s a touch decision. He’s ready, so now I need to be ready.

By: Marcia

Marcia — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:24:29 +0000

I’ve enjoyed reading all thoughts that have also crossed my mind. Erin, thanks for writing about your experience. It’s such a tough decision! I taught K, 1st and was a reading specialist k-3 and saw many children who were not ready to start at age 5.

Correct me if I’m wrong (Megan you might know) but I don’t think kindergarten is mandatory. Children need to be in some form of schooling by age of 6 in RI (public, private, home). So Erin, if your daughter seems to be ready for first, you shouldn’t have too much of an issue registering her for first.

By: erin goodman

erin goodman — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:13:19 +0000

thank you all so much for sharing your varied perspectives!!!

this “discussion” has been so helpful for me.

my husband and i spent some more time talking about things last night and we’re both staying open to the idea that she might be ready to jump into first grade this fall.

we’re going to talk to the principal about it and ask for her help in determining the best placement for our daughter.

either way, we’re feeling really good about how we’ve spent the last year!!

~erin