I'm stressing because my son turns five in two weeks and I should register him for kindergarten but I don't think he is ready, at least to today's standards. He knows how to count to 100 and even can tell you what number is what, but can't seem to grasp the alphabet very well. As for emotionally, he is very immature. He isn't very good at sharing, he cries a lot and doesn't like being left alone. The problem is, I just found out from the school that if I hold him back a year they will make him go straight to first grade and I know he won't be ready because now a days kids learn up to second grade level stuff just in kindergarten. I'm confused as to why I can't just give my child the extra year and then have him in kindergarten when they hold kids back who aren't doing well anyway. What should I do?
Answers (1)
It is detrimental to the emotional health of your son to have him in kindergarten a year later. He would always be the oldest kid in his class until he finishes high school. Eventually kids are going to wonder if he was held back.
Ive read where the oldest kid became a bully which isnt fair to him or the other kids.
I can guarantee you that there will be other kindergarteners who dont want to be there either. The teachers are trained and familiar with it and know what to do.
Keeping him home another year isnt going to make his separation anxiety better but will more that likely just encourage it and make it worse.