- Image by Elizabeth/Table4Five via Flickr
Up until recently, I had been feeling like I really messed up not sending Kaitlyn to preschool last September. I kept running across blog posts from other Moms of four year old girls, and their kids were writing their names and coloring pictures of people and houses and flowers, and since Kaitlyn isn’t yet doing either of those things, I was feeling like a failure.
Even though she wasn’t fully potty trained at all last September which was our deciding factor in not sending her to school, and even though she CAN do a whole lot of pretty smart things now (including taking herself to the bathroom, FINALLY), I was doubting myself.
But then over the last couple of days, Kaitlyn and I met some little girls who were exactly her size, who she instantly wanted to play with, who she just clicked with. Twice at the library and then again at the Sprint store, I sidled up to the other Moms and after telling them how cute their daughters were, asked innocently, “how old is she?”
In every single case, the other little girl was three. I don’t realize how petite Kaitlyn is until I see that she is the exact same size as other three year olds. So now I’m thinking it would have been a mistake to assume she was ready for kindergarten this Fall, I think it’s perfectly fine for her to start preschool this Fall at four, and turn five. Then go to kindergarten at five and turn six.
Right?
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Twitter: jennuinepain
says:
It sounds like you did the right thing… I was one that was 5 the whole year through, but I was also the very youngest in my class. One of my younger cousins had to be pulled out of kindergarten and held back a year because he just wasn’t ready… much better to just start later, in my opinion.
it sure is. my mom did it with my sister and she turned out just fine, i was the youngest in my class because of where my birthday fell, and i was always a little behind in everything.
Twitter: debmomof3
says:
I think you absolutely did the right thing. Both Hannah and I have late fall birthdays – my mom put me in kindergarten when I was 4 (in her defense she was told to by the school district, but still…) and I was always teased, picked on and had a horrible elementary school experience because I was smaller and younger than the other kids and really shy. We kept Hannah back – she went to 4-year-old preschool and then Young Fives and then started kindergarten when she was almost 6. And she is doing awesome in first grade – both academically and socially. Her preschool teacher told me back when that there’s never been any evidence that holding kids back that extra year does anything except benefit them.
Kids get pushed so hard once they start kindergarten nowadays, I think having that extra time beforehand isn’t a bad thing at all.
Rosie missed the kindergarten cutoff by one day — so she will start in the fall when she is 5, almost 6. Although this was a decision out of our hands, I feel good about it — she can write and read a little bit, but socially the extra year has been good for her. I think it’s much easier on a kid to be more ready than not ready enough.
Twitter: soleflormom
says:
Here in Portugal the school system is a little different. Children start pre-school at the age of three and first degree at the age of 7. Catarina went to pre-school at the age of 3,5 years and I was really scared that she was too young but she did really well. I think it depends of the personality of the child, Catarina was always very independent so maybe for that she did well.
The time will come for Kaitlyn and believe me she won’t miss a thing and she will learn school stuff as every other kid does. You followed your instinct and you did well.
.-= Laura´s last blog ..Posts worth Reading =-.
You know your daughter best. Don’t let peer pressure make you feel otherwise. When it comes to our kids, we bust our humps to make all the right decisions regarding their upbringing and development. Who knew it was this hard being a parent – I really wish there had been a training video that came home with every newborn. But, the magical thing about newborns is that every one of them is different – what may work for home may not work for another.
You waiting will give your daughter self-confidence and strength that she may not have received if you sent her earlier. I applaud you for knowing your daughter well enough to do what is right for her!
I agree that you will know what suits her the best. My children never went to preschool. All started in K5. My sons are in the 3rd and 5th grades and both tested eligible and are enrolled in the “gifted and talented” classes in school. Waiting does not seem to have hurt them in any way. My daughter (Mari Caitlin)just started K5 – testing isn’t until 2nd grade – but she seems to be doing very well. I am sure your daughter will benefit from the additional time with her Mom! I miss having my “baby” with me all day!
There is a certain time to start studying and it is different for various children – there is no one point of view on this problem. Don’t worry:)
Twitter: TheAngelForever
says:
Elizabeth, you know your daughter best and never doubt that. As a teacher, too many people send their children to school based on their age alone. My birthday is in December, so I missed the cut off and was the oldest in my class. It gave me an extra year at home to mature and be ready for school – there is a lot to be said about that. I just signed my going to be three year old son up for preschool in September. He needs the socialization with peers.
Exactly. Go with the mama instinct. It won’t be wrong.
.-= Lanna´s last blog .. =-.
Nice post very interesting.
.-= feld´s last blog ..Is Being Happy, Healthy? =-.
Twitter: cleht fracases
says:
Happy you are! I’m not envious – I just feel glad that you’ve found yourself in your life!