Repeating Kindergarten

Actually, these days pre-school is where you learn the alphabet and "coloring inside the box" and counting, etc. In Kindergarten you are already learning to read, write and do basic math - grouping, sorting, addition and subtraction. Plus, it does not cost to repeat a grade, and pushing a child through to get him or her to college sooner is really not a good idea, because you have to be able to have good grades and pass certain tests to be accepted to college. If a child is just pushed through school, then he or she most likely will not be able to pass the tests required to get into college.

Hello, thanks for the responses! Although you are right in that he should not 'have to' repeat K, as it's not required to enter 1st grade, the decision isn't about 'have to' or 'not have to'. It's about what is right for him, now and in the future. Also, you are correct about when we were in Kindergarten, although I was in K quite a number of years before you, the focus was on friends, sharings, coloring, playing and socializing. NOW - it's incredible what these little ones are expected to learn! As Purple stated, they are in fact already writing, reading, adding and subtracting! They have tests! REALLY - spelling tests on sight words. To us, it's natural to sound out and write a word... but we are so ingrained with every letter and its sound, we don't have to go thru "Rrr, "R" "Eee" "E" "Dee" D... then remember how do I make an R-E-D?? It's scary, but in todays educational world, it's actually preschool that the foundation is started, and they get right down to business in Kindergarten. I have to say, at this point, I'm not to focused on college... the extent of that worry stops at the savings account! It's so far away... I don't want to rush his school years. I want him to enjoy them, as I did. So, the long and short of it is, I have decided, and I'm pretty comfortable with my decision... NOW. Just a side thought: talking about foundations, if his brain is not completely ready to accept all this stuff, we can't force it. Filling anything up without the shell being stable will only lead to crumbled walls. Just an analogy someone made to me to see this for what it is. A parental decision made for the benefit of our child. Thank Again!

Hi Shelly, thanks for the response. I could fight it, and I would win, as K is not required to enter first grade in my state. But I did have to fight with his initial placement, as they placed him in a class with children with significant, serious behavioural issues... so I know what you mean about the environment. Also, he will do some things with one teacher, but refuses with another and vice versa, so neither teacher can get an accurate reading on his readiness! I do feel that the extra year will help his confidence and we have lots of adventures scheduled for the summer that are geared towards fun learning, gaining responsibilities, and stuff like that. I think come sept, he will realize it's not so strange or hard because he's already had a year of the material! Thanks again!

Hey there, thanks for the response! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you! You know, I do feel better with the decision. I know it's not because he's not smart, but his brain isn't ready for all that stuff! Developmentally, he's just not there, and it's not his fault, and it's not my fault... So I am hoping that the summer gives him the little extra time to settle down and mature. Thanks!