TTMA about when to start kindergarten
Feb 2, 2017 14:51:07 GMT -5
Post by somebabiesmom on Feb 2, 2017 14:51:07 GMT -5
DS will either be the youngest or the oldest in his class. He could actually start Sept 2017 and he'll turn 5 one week before the cutoff. Or he could start at 5, almost 6 in Sept 2018. I've had plans to hold him b/c:
1. I have always wanted my kids to be in back-to-back classes, b/c I wanted them to be closer and be able to relate to each other's friends. No one is anyone's embarrassing little sister. *cough*
2. Every other year, they'll be able to play on the same teams or be in activities together that are grouped based on grades, e.g., 3-4 graders together = saving time and money.
3. Puberty runs late in our families. The boys on both sides didn't "bloom" until 16. This matters for sports and socially.
4. DS seems immature. He hasn't shown a lot of independence, self-control, or ability to manage his emotions. We're still dressing him, still dealing with tantrums almost every time we say no, don't have a good track record taking him into restaurants or stores.
5. The few activities that we have put him in (soccer, gymnastics) were non-starters, b/c he didn't follow directions - even with significant 1x1 time. Even though this was awhile back (6 mos), I haven't really seen a whole lot of improvement.
6. 5 (almost 6) is really a more normal age for a kid to start school. He would graduate at 18.
7. Our pediatrician seemed to be in support of starting him later based on kids generally doing better when they start later.
8. DD will be starting at 5 and she is more mature and also very smart. I'm worried about her surpassing him.
9. We can put him in some classes to try and help him learn focus and discipline, to start thinking about what other kids are like, etc. Then he has some skills for managing himself before he enters the world of big, nasty, judgmental, bitter teachers. (Not all, but too many to be sure.)
Arguments for starting him right away:
1. We would save ourselves about $400-500/month if we started him.
2. Academically, he's interested and seems capable (it's just behaviorally that he doesn't seem ready).
3. He's a really, really big kid. He's 4 and wears size 6 and 7. About 50 lbs, 40-something inches. And not a chubby big kid. Just big. And a big head with big hair. My baby is a freaking toddler-Adonis... But really this translates into worries about him being a bully (he's loud and very enthusiastic, also) or being perceived as a bully.
I'm toying with the idea of having him evaluated and getting a recommendation from a psychologist, but - of course - needed to check in here first to get some opinions. So WDYT? Start him late? Start him early? Get him evaluated?
1. I have always wanted my kids to be in back-to-back classes, b/c I wanted them to be closer and be able to relate to each other's friends. No one is anyone's embarrassing little sister. *cough*
2. Every other year, they'll be able to play on the same teams or be in activities together that are grouped based on grades, e.g., 3-4 graders together = saving time and money.
3. Puberty runs late in our families. The boys on both sides didn't "bloom" until 16. This matters for sports and socially.
4. DS seems immature. He hasn't shown a lot of independence, self-control, or ability to manage his emotions. We're still dressing him, still dealing with tantrums almost every time we say no, don't have a good track record taking him into restaurants or stores.
5. The few activities that we have put him in (soccer, gymnastics) were non-starters, b/c he didn't follow directions - even with significant 1x1 time. Even though this was awhile back (6 mos), I haven't really seen a whole lot of improvement.
6. 5 (almost 6) is really a more normal age for a kid to start school. He would graduate at 18.
7. Our pediatrician seemed to be in support of starting him later based on kids generally doing better when they start later.
8. DD will be starting at 5 and she is more mature and also very smart. I'm worried about her surpassing him.
9. We can put him in some classes to try and help him learn focus and discipline, to start thinking about what other kids are like, etc. Then he has some skills for managing himself before he enters the world of big, nasty, judgmental, bitter teachers. (Not all, but too many to be sure.)
Arguments for starting him right away:
1. We would save ourselves about $400-500/month if we started him.
2. Academically, he's interested and seems capable (it's just behaviorally that he doesn't seem ready).
3. He's a really, really big kid. He's 4 and wears size 6 and 7. About 50 lbs, 40-something inches. And not a chubby big kid. Just big. And a big head with big hair. My baby is a freaking toddler-Adonis... But really this translates into worries about him being a bully (he's loud and very enthusiastic, also) or being perceived as a bully.
I'm toying with the idea of having him evaluated and getting a recommendation from a psychologist, but - of course - needed to check in here first to get some opinions. So WDYT? Start him late? Start him early? Get him evaluated?