I've been worried about and debating Andrew going to Kindergarden since LAST summer. I feel like he isn't quite ready. I feel like he needs another 4-6 months to mature. The K up here is full time, 8:20-2:40. An awful lot to ask of a boy who just turned 5, never been alone that long. PS last year was 3 days a week, 3 hours for 2 days and 4 for 1. A parent also had to work 3-5 times a month. So he wasn't alone that often, Steve had to work the most, because of how my pregnancy ws going, but he did the days, went to every field trip, at least one a month.
I've gotten to the point with Steve, where I'm like, what do I know? I'm only his mother. I only have a degree in Early Childhood Education. I only have a PS Teaching Cert. I only spend the most time with him...
His PS teacher said in May that he was boarderline, and with the baby coming, to prolly hold him back. In July, she changed her tune with Steve and said to try and send him. Andrew ended up with a teacher that is her friend and she says the teacher is really good.
The Class will have, as of July, 19 kids. 15 girls and 4 boys. That'll be fun for him. He's at the "girls icky" phase of life right now. LOL!!! In May there was a chance of there being more than 35 kids in the class. IDK what the final total of kids will be.
When I look at the whole picture, I think K is going to be too much. I think that eventually, he'll do OK there. But that if we wait, he'll do great there. I do worry that he'll get bored in PS, but don't want him left behind in K. They are also looking at his size. He's so big already, so next year he'll be much bigger then the others.
If you don't feel like he's ready, then hold off. It's probably best to trust your instinct, but then again the "battle" will be to convince Steve. Good luck!
I would not send him. I don't necessarily totally discount it, but I think size should be the very last thing considered. If he looks the right size but is not ready for whatever reasons, his size isn't going to make a difference. In some ways it could be a benefit when he is in school playing sports. Not only would he be bigger but most likely more coordinated. Don't get me wrong. I don't think that is a reason to hold a kid back, but it counters the argument about size.
Frankly, it's not now that is the big issue. If he is the young one always trying to keep up with the others, what's going to happen in the later school years? Will he be able to stand up to peer pressure or will he be more likely to cave to drugs, sex and whatever else? Will he be a target for bullies? Will he really be able to learn if emotionally he is distraught from trying to keep up and fit in? I am not saying this is an issue for every summer birthday child, but it is an issue for some.
I also know from teaching school that regardless if it was kindergarten, kids do remember and will bring it up if he needs to repeat.
