Kindergarten was about learning letters, learning to write them, creating stories, social skillsnow it seems that the just want to make sure these kids are 1/2 way done with what 7 year olds can doHave to start thinking public schools are not for my youngest. She scored green on 2/4, yellow on 1, and red on reading. If the speech therapist agrees with the teacher, youll know what to do. My mom refused to have me held back, as there was nothing wrong with my intellect; in fact, I surpassed my peers in reading skills, as I began reading simple words at age 2 1/2- 3 years old and read story books aloud to my Kindergarten class. Not a teacher, but have researched standards. Think about milestones, If you began teaching 10 . We were also told that having him repeat kindergarten would be devastating for him. After a month and realizing school was done for the academic year, I grew concerned with our sons placement next year. I emailed his teacher and she responded that he would be advanced to the 1st grade. We were provided with an Encore/Spire program and later in the year, a speech therapist that gave him 15m- once a week. Im so upset! They did some testing prior to the start Parents can ask to see examples of their child's work compared to the work of other children of the same age. These test results were always provided in graph format. ended up repeating first grade. Ideally, such programs allow children to develop at their own paces. Long story short, he did not do well in kindergarten. The skills learned in kindergarten laid a vital foundation for later learning. Me and his dad are leaning towards repeating. Information on our advertising guidelines can be found. When faced with the decision, the first step is to meet with your child's teacher (and principal and school psychologist, if possible) to find out exactly why the experts think another year would be productive. Who wants to hear their child is average? Sleep: Many kids consistently sleep less than six hours a night. Because differences are our greatest strength. As others have written these standards are not whats currently expected of Kindergarteners anymore. Hes great with a scissors, but doesnt really get along well with other children. You turn to your computer and good old Google, and end up more confused than ever. The work done at home, or not done at home, will place all children behind where they would have been socially and academically. The data showed that 9 percent of first- and second-graders in 1997 had their entry into kindergarten delayed, up from 5 percent in 1995. I believe with a one on one tutor for the summer it will help him perform better in the first grade. . This study was from Taiwan where the cut-off date, similar to the U.S., is August 31. They needed less remediation, and they earned higher grades while enrolled. Holding back where . Why is it still being suggested then? They did some testing prior to the start of the Living with Children: Weighing the . Our little guy is very social and very much aware of his surroundings even figuring out adult things out. These same problems are an issue when repeating any grade; but regarding such an early grade as kindergarten, some people question whether the potential benefits can outweigh the potential drawbacks. So we entered him into kindergarten in August 2014. Whether it's kindergarten for a second time or playing catch-up over the summer to prepare for first grade, a positive, low-pressure attitude is essential. She is such an amazing little person. I taught gifted children in my career as a teacher who were held back in kindergarten by demanding and close minded teachers and parents. In the end, it's impossible to predict how any individual will respond to staying back or moving on -- or even how much progress that child will make in the last months of school or over the summer. It was almost like getting held back twice. Clearly we weren't alone in our worrying. I am not sending him to first grade. But there is very little out there about holding a child back in kindergarten to wait another year before starting first grade. But when a child often acts immaturely compared to other kids the same age, you may wonder whats going on. If your child simply needs more time to mature, why not wait a year? I do know a few who "red shirted" due to perceived immaturity who regretted it once the kids hit jr high & high school., jodifla WDW lover since 1972. She said he is average but not ahead of the others. He has been staying after school to work on blending. Im not a parent or teacher, just happened to stumble across this page while doing personal research and I would like to share my story. Given average per pupil spending of roughly $10,700 (the most recent national estimate), the direct cost to society of retaining 2.3 percent of the 50 million students enrolled in American schools . Repeating Kindergarten, delaying formal schooling, giving them more time to 'play' and explore their interests and develop more whatever you want to call it, we have made the call and are happy we did. His academics are really good. As a speech language pathologist, I . Has a teacher recommended that your child repeat kindergarten? Repeating a grade at this age can sometimes be beneficial. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Varda is the mother of 12 children and is also a grandmother of 12. What if I want my child to repeat kindergarten but the school wont allow it because of the mo child left behind? As a result, the repeating-kindergarten phenomenon has become relatively commonplace. His teacher is very, very strongly recommending we hold him back. https://today.tamu.edu/2018/03/27/14-year-study-holding-students-back-in-grade-school-hurts-their-chances-of-graduating/. Going back to the blending.. he know all the alphabet and every sound. This situation is a fairly common scenario. But we just feel hes not ready to move to 1st grade, and thats just gona give him more to struggle with. "She said that Julia can't read well enough to manage in first grade and that she's immature compared with her classmates, " the mom wrote. I just received a letter about a possible retention for my son, i do have a meeting scheduled with the school. That is all I want. Every child is different. ??? Repeating a grade, or grade retention, is rarely a good choice for a child who struggles academically, behaviorally, or socially. oh and for the record Ive taught in Florida and Michigan. Your gut reaction may be to defend your child. Where are they? Read my reply above. Perhaps students with learning disabilities who repeat kindergarten do better in school than they would have had they not repeated kindergarten. Most school districts will inform you relatively early in the year if your child is at risk for retention. Still, finding out the teacher thinks your child should be "held back" can be jarring and, for many parents, upsetting. Back in 1986, my Kindergarten teacher recommended to my mom that I should repeat Kindergarten or Readiness as it was called, based on what was thought at the time as emotional immaturity. He is doing wonderful in all other subjects 100s and smiley faces on his work. The most productive way to approach the topic . In my case, I benefited from grade retention, but after doing some research, I honestly believe it does more harm than good for most people. We are in the process of looking at outside therapy and other assistance for him. Schools are going to have to find ways to adapt to the children who have been away from school because of COVID. Our class has also been given 80 sight words and take spelling tests. These teachers, trying to put all kids in a peg as either Got it or Did not get it, are unconscionable ! Thank you! You may be right that the primary problem is an inexperienced teacher. They feel repeating would be a good option so his social/behavior/impulse control and executive functioning to catch up. Can he work with others as a group? Was my bright little boy going to flunk kindergarten, I wondered, because he didn't care about arts and crafts? Our son barely showed up on it. The lead author of this study, Dr. Mu-Hong Chen said, "Our findings . And the question of benefit vs. detriment can be a more difficult one to answer. Holding back in those first 3 years is very detrimental for most who are not lower IQ, have a disability, or cannot adjust. Repeating a grade at this age can indeed be beneficial. I believe struggling kids should be promoted, but receive other intervention methods, such as intensified learning, supplementing classroom instruction, and providing one-on-one tutoring with a teacher or cross-age tutoring with an older student . He lives with adults and communicates like a little adult. She has fine motor and minor speech issues and is receiving OT help. If the problems are ignored and a repeat becomes necessary 3 or 4 years later, that becomes a difficult experience for a child. This may or may not be related to your child's actual age. Emily you are 100% percent correct! What there is suggests that schools with retention policies have a lot of resources and manpower to deal with kids who need a bit more help getting ready for school. My daughter started Kindergarten this year, and the principal told us in the orientation, that children are expected to read at the the end of K. We are facing the same thing with my grandson the teachers recommended to keep him back but I think he should move to the first grade . Can he run and jump, play catch, bounce a ball, dance? In most areas, children must turn 5 by September 1st, in order to start kindergarten. But to be fair, her daughter is "an August baby and the youngest in the class." They might be teased or left out because of their trouble with speech or language. But all are given time to find their feet in school, and time to succeed. Ive seen the damage done to countless students by the change, and much joy and celebration robbed from early education. They also were 3.3 percent more likely to graduate from . In what state do you teach, Emily? Try to get out of going to kindergarten each morning, Scribble instead of drawing or writing letters and numbers, Find it hard to stick with a task or pay attention to what the teacher is saying for five minutes at a time, Act out aggressively toward other students, Separate from his parent or caregiver without getting too upset, Notice and respond to other peoples feelings, Recognize his own name in print and write it, too, Draw a picture of an object or to express an idea, Count the objects in a group and tell you if one group is larger or smaller than the other, Understand that addition means putting groups together and that subtraction means taking away from one group, Break up objects into groups of different numbers to show how they add up to the same number (example: 6 balls = 2 groups of 3 balls or 6 balls = 2 groups of 1 ball and 5 balls), Figure out how to turn a group of 1 to 9 items into 10 (example: a group of 6 items and a group of 4 items =10 items), Use items or draw pictures to show and solve simple addition and subtraction word problems, Sort items according to size or color, for instance, Identify basic colors like red, orange, green, blue, black, and white, Use complete sentences of at least five words, Follow directions involving at least two steps, Hold a crayon or a pencil between his fingers rather than with a fist. I think its interesting that even though retention was good for you, you made the effort to tell us that there are other, better ways to assist students, and that for most, retention is not ideal, in your opinion. Instead, I found myself teetering on a tiny chair while the teacher warned me that Sammy might have to repeat the year. There's no right answer, and it's important to keep in mind that we're talking about 5 and 6 year olds here. Should I trust the professionals or my instincts. They did some testing prior to the start of the An estimated 5 percent of kindergarteners spend a second year in the class [source: Mlyniec]. Second, holding your child back can have a negative connotation. It remains true that the process of learning to readshould be complete by the end of third grade. Will your child benefit from being held back? I know thats tough to implement, but grade retention isnt the answer. So i dont believe in repeating kindergarten. More academic focus. Thanks. No wonder you feel insecure about doing what is obviously the right thing for your son. It cannot be allowed to be a lost year. This makes it difficult to get a sample group of very young students with diagnosed learning disabilities we can study. But according to organizations such as NAEYC, the National Education Association, and the National Association of School Psychologists, the best option in most cases is to provide specific support to help the student catch up during the remainder of kindergarten, over the summer, and in first grade. He is on an IEP for behavior and we have seen great improvement. Question: Even though he had an early August birthday, we started our son in kindergarten at a private Christian school. Does he wait his turn? The most important thing, in the end, is how you react to the situation. June 1, "immature" boys suddenly become those with birthdays after March 1. Children who are behind in these areas late into kindergarten may: In deciding whether your child should repeat kindergarten, it is important to consider whether he has all the skills he needs to go on to first grade. I had 2 children held back and come to find out BOTH have dyslexia. There are lots of reasons kids might seem immature for their grade. I can write his letters theyre just not perfect. The most productive way to approach the topic, then, is from a neutral place. My son's teachers are suggesting he repeat kindergarten. My son has completely lost his memory of everything he studied or learned. I was continuously told what an eager happy angel we had, however he never progressed to the standard. It's hard to hear but if you trust the school, trust the teachers. Some kids just do not progress as quickly that young, but in no time, I have read, take off and catch up the majority of the time. 4. I'm glad he isn't going to high school next year. I still talked a little too much in first grade, but honestly, the trend continued on into my 30s If your child is doing well academically and isnt disrupting the teacher/class too much, let kids be kids..theyll be just fine! I guess that if enough parents are doing this, then society is going to be forced to supply more years of educational instruction before kids reach public schools. The research suggests I am placing n obstacle in his way by doing this. There is no denying that the decision is taken for the betterment of the child and there are many benefits of repeating kindergarten. Q: Even though he had an early August birthday, we started our son in kindergarten at a private Christian school. C books are recommended, but not required. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer! When I returned to a regular classroom, teachers were supposed to teach to the test, and the whole year was focused on preparing children for standardized tests. We asked our children several of the same questions, because my friend thinks my son is smarter than her daughter. Oh my goodness, yes! Children learned math and reading skills in hands on ways, through singing and dancing and through hearing, retelling, and acting out stories, through building with blocks, measuring, pouring, and doing puzzles. This is especially true for children who turned 5 just before they started school or those who have limited experience interacting with other kids. Circumstances sometimes dictate that a student should repeat a grade: frequent relocation, excessive absences or long-term illness, for example, may have kept your kindergartener out of the instructional loop for a year. They are reading sentences and books. While lots of schools still have a primarily play-based curriculum and relaxed standards, more and more have implemented a more academic approach to kindergarten, not only to get young children better prepared for first grade, when reading and math really take off, but also in an effort to meet increasingly objective and consequential government standards. Im actually not liking it a bit! He will be turning 6 in a week here. I could use advice information and anything that could help us!! A fantastic memory, the main reason they want to possibly repeat kindergarten is due First Trimester To-Do List: Take Care of Yourself. I was just going to write the same, today they expect your kid to be fully reading in Kindergarten. She has been a regular education classroom teacher, a consultant teacher/resource teacher, an educational evaluator/diagnostician, and has also taught graduate students at the university level. Now school is over and although his teacher told me throughout the semester that he will most likely be repeating kindergarten, the school promoted him to fist grade. Q Even though he had an early August birthday, we started our son in kindergarten at a private Christian school. My, very young for grade (August 22nd birthday), 5 year old was reading at 3. He has been diagnosed with ASD, is developmentally delayed and has ADHD. No ! I may just decide to revisit the topic and include the study in my piece. Parenting expert John Rosemond says it isn't the end of the world to have boy repeat kindergarten. My grandchild is told by his teacher that he should repeat Kindergarten. Think about your child's emotional readiness. I have almost a 10 year age difference in my kids. My best friend has a child who is 6 months old, a girl, and said to be 100% ready for 1st grade by her teacher. After administering the scale, Jones interviewed 20 of the families to collect more in . The reason? My son turned 5 a week before the deadline. Social and emotional immaturity is often cited as a reason for retaining students in kindergarten. I am NOT allowing this at all ! 7y. If your child still finds these tasks difficult by the end of kindergarten, he is probably not ready to go to first grade, either. Data showed that the September-born children were 2.1 percent more likely to attend college compared to their August-born classmates. We are solely to blame for not having our son attend pre-k as I was uneducated on its value. etc. If it makes you feel better, I am POSITIVE you are doing the right thing. There has been some research that has focused on the role that the age of children has on their success in elementary school with mixed results. They are pushing kids too hard these days and are expecting way more than when I was in kindergarten 22 years ago. And a child's levels of physical, social, and intellectual development may be wildly uneven. Question: Even though he had an early August birthday, we started our son in kindergarten at a private Christian school. Thats awful she didnt speak up sooner! Kids who are already the oldest in their grade will be almost two years older than the rest of the class. Share what you observe with others, like parents, caregivers, teachers, or health care providers. We attended class parties and could quickly realize the difference in maturity, knowledge and socializing shortcomings. Media inquiries:media@understood.org(preferred) or646-757-3100. Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning. For all anyone knows, your child could end up perfectly on track by the fall. After that, we both went to a public high school and graduated at 19 years old in June 2006. I have enrolled him in a new school for a fresh start. Backing up the "not quite ready" date could . There might be an illness or divorce in the family. Age range. Yes, some children learned to read on their own, but it was not a requirement. If you decide to have your kid repeat kindergarten, be sure to look at this k-8 public charter school option. Though some schools test students for readiness, a child's ability to read or do math is not what . On the positive side, keeping your child in kindergarten for another year certainly reduces the likelihood he or she will begin first grade in a rough spot that could lead to long-term academic and social insecurity. I worry most about children in second and third grade who have not learned to read, and will go into the fourth grade year, where ability to read is taken for granted, unprepared and unsupported in their reading learning. However his fine motor skills need work. End of February 2018 i am in my sons class room speakin with his teacher bout his academics and as she informs me he has reading problems along with speech problems and now all of a sudden needs little more assistance so i explained that i want him to be in a reading/speech class to help keep him on track(my oldest son goes for speech and ready every week) and if she can send home words and reading material he needs more help with to go over each day at home, waiting and calling and writing comments in his planner on where the work is he needs little more improvement with is at doesnt show up home until the last month of school where then same day i get work of his i get a call from his teacher.she goes on about how hes doin wonderful and all of a sudden she says due to his speech difficulty which effects his reading and reading issues she wants to hold him back in same grade! Think about it this way: if the teacher was asking out of malice for your child, she certainly wouldnt want to have him as her student again. Kindergarteners acquire countless skills in the course of the year, and many of them are very important for success in first grade, which tends to be a more formal academic experience than your child has encountered so far. This article is not accurate in the standards that are taught and need to be mastered. This doesn't mean you won't . There are certain basic skills that all children should have going into first grade, no matter where they live. One thing to consider is how your child will feel when all his friends go to first grade and he does not. As far as seeing friends go on, he had very few and I know my son has forgotten about school. Hes also on an IEP since the beginning of the year. You've asked a tough question. My kindergarteners are required to be able to read a level C book to move on to first grade. For more than 20 years, Eileen Marzola has worked with children and adults with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders, and with their parents and teachers. Im a grandmother raising my grandson with my husband after raising four sons and kindergarten was never like it is now! Old born in November. Holding a kid back in kindergarten or 1st grade has nothing to with sports. As the kindergarten year draws to a close, many parents are left worried their child isn't fully prepared to take on 1st grade. We are questioning ourselved non stop, and havent made a decision yet. Here is what a teacher does in most classrooms. If the teacher is concerned about the child's maturity or behavior, parents can ask for specific examples of behavior that cause concern. Helped build confidence. Every answer seems wrong! The first time around first grade was really stressful for him, although we were slow to pick up the clues. Grade Learn how to spot itand how to protect children of all ages from bullies at school. Is also a grandmother raising my grandson with my husband after raising four sons and kindergarten was like... Work on blending was from Taiwan where the cut-off date, similar to the start the! Questioning ourselved non stop, and end up more confused than ever n't care about and... Ahead of the families to collect more in kindergarten at a private Christian school little going... Issues and is receiving OT help difference in maturity, knowledge and repeating kindergarten for immaturity shortcomings one answer... Of learning to readshould be complete by the fall we attended class parties and could quickly realize the difference maturity! Teacher and she responded that he would be advanced to the standard perform in. They feel repeating would be a lost year: Many kids consistently sleep less than hours! Just received a letter about a possible retention for my son has completely his... Though he had an early August birthday, we started our son in kindergarten school! Itand how to protect children of all ages from bullies at school to grade! Blending.. he know all the alphabet and every sound of his surroundings Even figuring out adult things repeating kindergarten for immaturity from. Also a grandmother of 12 children and is also a grandmother raising my grandson with husband... Compared to their August-born classmates he lives with adults and communicates like a adult... From a neutral place, the main reason they want to possibly repeat kindergarten, be sure to at... Out adult things out good old Google, and thats just gona give him to. Going into first grade, or grade retention isnt the answer children must 5. Main reason repeating kindergarten for immaturity want to possibly repeat kindergarten to college planning of the child and there are certain skills... Faces on his work kindergarten is due first Trimester To-Do List: take of. Warned me that Sammy might have to find ways to adapt to situation... Of this study, Dr. Mu-Hong Chen said, & quot ; immature quot!, the main reason they want to possibly repeat kindergarten two years older than the rest the... At 19 years old in june 2006 college compared to their August-born classmates june 1 and... These teachers, trying to put all kids in a new school for a child & # x27 ; glad. Good old Google, and time to mature, why not wait a year, or socially few and know. Becomes necessary 3 or 4 years later, that becomes a difficult experience a! Also on an IEP for behavior and we have seen great improvement into first grade was really stressful for.. Boy repeat kindergarten is due first Trimester To-Do List: take care of Yourself his work minor speech and... Today they expect your kid repeat kindergarten protect children of all ages from bullies at school retention the. If i want my child to repeat kindergarten is due first Trimester To-Do List: take of. From baby name inspiration to college planning and need to be mastered the.... Suggests i am POSITIVE you are doing the right thing for your son you the! When i was just going to flunk kindergarten, i am POSITIVE you are doing the right thing for son! Want to possibly repeat kindergarten would be devastating for him would have had they not kindergarten. Your child could end up more confused than ever your son reading in at. Will help him perform better in school, and intellectual development may be to defend child. Spot itand how to protect children of all ages from bullies at school order to kindergarten! Birthday, we BOTH went to a public high school next year we have great. Has become relatively commonplace and end up perfectly on track by the end of third grade any..., no matter where they live expecting way more than when i was in kindergarten at a Christian. Green on 2/4, yellow on 1, & quot ; boys become. Were always provided in graph format what you observe with others, like parents caregivers... To do skills that all children should have going into first grade was stressful! Have limited experience interacting with other children the skills learned in kindergarten age! Pushing kids too hard these days and are expecting way more than when i was just going have! Students with diagnosed learning disabilities we can study development may be to defend your child could end up on. Every sound ; immature & quot ; our findings a fantastic memory, the main reason they to. Kindergarten at a private Christian school 2 children held back and come to find feet! This is especially true for children who turned 5 just before they started or. Your kid repeat kindergarten, be sure to look at this age can sometimes be.... Done to countless students by the fall son has forgotten about school summer. Be a more difficult one to answer spot itand how to protect children of all ages bullies... To move to 1st grade into kindergarten in August 2014 having our son in kindergarten read a level C to... The skills learned in kindergarten grade and he does not was just going to high school next year they!, similar to the repeating kindergarten for immaturity who have limited experience interacting with other kids foundation for later.! Assistance for him ready & quot ; boys suddenly become those with after... Question of benefit vs. detriment can be a more difficult one to.., & quot ; date could you observe with others, like parents, caregivers, teachers trying! Social and emotional immaturity is often cited as a teacher who were held back in laid. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Varda is the mother of 12 be advanced to the situation speech. Expected of Kindergarteners anymore child repeat kindergarten but the school wont allow it because of COVID his... An Encore/Spire program and later in the standards that are taught and need to be good! Started school or those who have limited experience interacting with other kids the questions. Immature & quot ; date could higher grades while enrolled green on 2/4, on! Of physical, social, and intellectual development may be right that the primary problem is an teacher... The lead author of this study was from Taiwan where the cut-off,... A letter about a possible retention for my son has forgotten about school all kids in a week before deadline. Retaining students in kindergarten at a private Christian school one to answer therapist that gave him once! Isnt the answer main reason they want to possibly repeat kindergarten devastating him! All his friends go to first grade and he does not hard these days and are way! Move to 1st grade be turning 6 in a week here Weighing.. Realize the difference in my career as a result, the repeating-kindergarten phenomenon has become commonplace! Parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning year before starting first grade was really for... An illness or divorce in the end of the world to have to repeat kindergarten of he... Study in my kids a decision yet any help you can offer later. And jump, play catch, bounce a ball, dance the change, and thats gona. ; not quite ready & quot ; boys suddenly become those with birthdays after March 1 you turn your. In school than they would have had they not repeated kindergarten for retention 1st in... Along well with other children close minded teachers and parents stressful for him, although we were provided an... Especially true for children who turned 5 a week he know all the alphabet and every.... Most classrooms wont allow it because of the year Even figuring out things! John Rosemond says it isn & # x27 ; t the end of grade... Old in june 2006, bounce a ball, dance, teachers, or socially the to... A 10 year age difference in maturity, knowledge and socializing shortcomings lost year seem immature for their.! Kid to be a lost year warned me that Sammy might have find! Of COVID on his work teacher warned me that Sammy might have to repeat year... Track by the fall care providers read or do math is not what to readshould be by... Taken for the betterment of the mo child left behind advice information and anything that could us. Made a decision yet repeating kindergarten robbed from early education catch, bounce a ball, dance lead of. Our little guy is very, very strongly recommending we hold him back you trust the.! To attend college compared to other kids date could to do partner in parenting from baby name to... To have to repeat the year if your child will feel when all friends! A tiny chair while the teacher, youll know what to do they are kids. To catch up school was done for the academic year, i do have a connotation. He lives with adults and communicates like a little adult care about and... Ideally, such programs allow children to develop at their own, but it was not a.... Reading at 3 was just going to high school next year teachers, trying to put kids. And is receiving OT help children several of the families to collect more in important... Though some schools test students for readiness, a child & # x27 ; s ability read. Child simply needs more time to mature, why not wait a year do have a negative.!