One controversial idea that seems to be gaining in popularity is the practice of intentionally holding a child back or delaying the start of school by a year. Thus, students who are qualified to enter kindergarten at the age of five stay home or in preschool that extra year, only entering formal school at the age of six.
Why is this happening and what should you do?
There are a few reasons that parents are choosing to delay the start of a child’s formal schooling.
One reason is to ensure that the child will be at the top of the class or at least competitive academically. A child that is a year older than most of his classmates, the thinking goes, will be able to perform better than the rest academically, or at least keep pace with others. The thought is that a good start will stay with the child through his academic career, making him well known as a smart and good student. Some parents seek out a private kindergarten the first year and then send their child to a public kindergarten the following year. A good start may mean a choice among good colleges later in life.
With the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, there is increased pressure to perform academically. This may have parents panicking that the work required in kindergarten will be too much for their child, either mentally or emotionally. Some parents choose to delay kindergarten in order to ensure the maturity of their child in the midst of this pressure. Evaluations of a child’s kindergarten readiness can be done by the in-going school, by a child’s private preschool or by a third party evaluator. These results may influence the decision about holding a child back from starting school.
Another reason parents often site for the decision to hold a child back a year before entering school is that they want that child to do well in sports. A year can make a big difference in the coordination, motor skills and strength of a young child. And sports activities are highly valued with schools and parents alike. Sports success also holds the possibility of scholarships to college and a professional and lucrative career.
So what should you do as a parent? This is a complicated issue that requires some more discussion. Check back soon for more about this issue, and please leave a comment with your opinion and experience.
Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans.
Related Articles:
Preschoolers and ADHD Research
Why Don’t School Buses Have Seat Belts?
Backyard Preschool Summer Olympics