My oldest will start kindergarten in August. Almost every conversation I have with someone regarding her schooling goes something like this:
Other parent: ‘What are you doing for school this fall?’
Me: ‘She’s starting kindergarten.’
Other parent: ‘When is her birthday again?’
Me: ‘August 1st.’
Other parent: ‘Wow. And you’re going to send her?’
Yes.
Yes, she will be a (very) young 5. It feels like the more popular choice now is to ‘give your child the gift of time’ and hold them back/redshirt them/whatever you want to call it. I’m not sure when this shift happened, but it’s the most common response I hear. ‘What’s the rush? Have you considered down the road when she’s the last of her friends to drive? What about sports?’
Let me be clear, I absolutely understand circumstances are different for everyone. Some kids are advanced academically, but lack the social skills or maturity needed to be in school all day. Some kids nap in the afternoon still and would struggle without that time to reset and rest. Some kids have preschool teachers that suggest another year of pre-K. Some kids are extremely anxious about school or have a hard time sitting still/getting along with other kids/listening to a teacher. Whatever the reason, I totally get that there are plenty of valid ones. Heck, maybe even the fact that your kid will be the last in their class to drive is a valid reason for you!
What it comes down to for me is the fact that 99% of the time, moms know their own child best. We’re all doing what we think is most beneficial for our kid and chances are we’re getting feedback from their preschool teachers, daycare providers, and other adults directly involved in their life that should carry far more weight than a random stranger or even another parent. While giving your child the gift of time home with you for another year may be the right choice for you, giving my child the gift of structure and routine in a kindergarten classroom (which she thrives under) is what’s right for us.
Will we make the same decision with our other daughter? No clue!
But what a blessing we all have the freedom to evaluate and make those decisions for each individual child!
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