The issue of holding a child back a year is a delicate one, I know. But in our case, it was the best thing we could have done for Christian. You see, it was due to his maturity that he was held back, and it would have been detrimental to him to make him struggle through the rest of the year. He knew his ABCs and 123s, but for him kindergarten was overwhelming compared to preschool. And the struggling could have continued for the next twelve years after that -- for all of us.
I, too, have a late summer birthday and was not ready for school when I started at the age of six. I did not have the opportunity to attend kindergarten and was thrown into first grade and struggled throughout the rest of primary, secondary and college years. I wanted for Christian to enjoy school and therefore enjoy learning. I realize many kids are ready when they're ready and it's up to each family to decide when to start kindergarten.
We are proud of Christian and the progress he has made. He rides the bus to school and knows not to get off unless one of us is there. He has the same teachers as last year and that makes all the difference.
So, this year Christian has achieved many milestones: kindergarten, learning to swim like a fish, two missing teeth, and riding a bicycle without training wheels. I hope our son will continue to enjoy school and that his intrepid curiousity never diminishes.
2 comments:
Why are most professional hockey players born in January and February?
In Malcom Gladwell's "Outliers," he points out that for the junior hockey leagues, the cutoff date for signup is January 1. Kids born shortly after this date have a whole year on kids born closer to the end of the year: they are typically faster, stronger, and subsequently get more attention from coaches.
Same is true with holding children back. Christian will now have a full year's development on kids that are born closer to the cutoff date or kids that have late birthdays who won't be held back.
I think that's an interesting point to consider. Seems like you guys made the perfect decision.
I heard something about Gladwell's book awhile ago and I'd like to read it. I know some parents think it's an unfair advantage to hold a child back, but I don't see it that way in Christian's case because he's the one who needed to catch up and be ready, as in fully attentive, focused, and with an eagerness to participate in school. The difference was extraordinary when he was returned to preschool and that told me he was overwhelmed by kinder last year. It seems to happen more with boys, which is interesting.
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