Late birthday and school.

[Brenda]

Brandon will be 4 on Aug.31 and could go to half day kindergarten in August.He is just so little.Stephanie went last year but she was 4 and a half because her birthday is in May.He is in a size 3 and she was in a size 5 at his age.I can't see him walking into school all by himself.I think he is ready developmentally but he is just so little.Registration is in a couple of weeks and I don't know what to do.

[Honeysmom]

That is such a tough call. Honey was a little older than him, but they are just so tiny. He was also only a size 3 when I sent him and I worried that he would be the only kid in clothes that still came from the baby section.

I wish I could tell you which was to go on this, but in some respects I am glad he went, but in other I wish I would have held him back a year. I guess if you feel like he is ready I would probably send him. If you find he is only small that would not be so bad, sizewise he would catch up in a few years. On the other hand if he is not ready you could always take him out or keep him back a year.

I think I would make the decision based on if I thought he was ready and if he wanted to go. If he really wants to go it may be good for him. He is doesn't waiting a year might be better.

I can't believe how young they have us starting kids now. I am waiting for daycares to go by the wayside so they can start right out in school from day one.

Good Luck, Becky

[mom2tj]

you are very lucky if you have the choice to keep him back an extra year.

DS was also very small and in my opinion was NOT ready for school but when I voiced my opion at the school they told me I had no choice in the matter if I didnt send him do kindergarden that year the next year he would be send right to 1st grade since kinder is not manditory.... he is still so immature it would have made a world of difference... thats our school system

if he is mature and ready I would send him because his size wont make a big difference that is my 2 cents....

[rosyred45]

If your little boy seems ready, I'd say to go ahead and send him. Mikey is a July baby. He isn't the quietest child, or one that wants to sit still, but he knows what he is taught, and when it is taught the way he understands, he's fine.

You can always ask them if you might be able to either adjust his schedule after awhile if it doesn't seem to be working, or just pull him until next year.

Just do what you think is best for him, and ask him, maybe that might help.
Kaiti

[AustinsMom]

I think a child can be ready to go to school, as far as ready to do the work, learn, etc., but not ready emotionally. Like not ready to separate from you and be in that environment and deal with the social aspects of kindergarten. I know parents who sent a child who was not emotionally ready, and the child cried every day for months, hated school for awhile. My personal opinion is that you can never go wrong by waiting. If you have any doubts, I would err on the side of caution. You don't want to start him and have him not be successful. By the time school times comes, you'll probably have a better idea what you want to do.

[Brenda]

Thanks for all the replies.The other thing that worries me is that he is so attached to me.In a way I feel like he needs time away from me.But I wouldn't want him crying for me either.He is my baby and the last child I'll have.Maybe I'll keep him home with me for another year.They grow up to fast anyway.

[AustinsMom]

I think if he is that attached to you, he still needs you. And arranging a little time away from you in a safe environment will be much less stressful for him than being in school all day. You could consider a half day preschool a few days a week as a good stepping stone. I have never talked to a parent who waited to start a child they had doubts about who had any regrets. Some kids just mature a little later, and if you have the luxury of giving him that time if he needs it, that's great. Of course he could be a different child by the time school is actually ready to start!