As parents, it seems we are always preparing for what’s
coming up next. We have a hospital bag ready before the baby comes, we rig the
house for when our babies start to crawl, we have a diaper bag ready for a
wardrobe malfunction, and we have enough snacks in our cars to feed an army.
You name it - we prepare for it.
Fast forward a few years and your child is four years
old. A question is looming - How do we prepare them for Kindergarten?
What should you do if you have a child with a summer or
early fall birthday? Do you send them to Kindergarten? How do you know if they
are ready for this next step? Some of you be heading to Kindergarten. How do you help prepare them when the time comes?
I have read articles in the New York Times, The
Washington Post, studied Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Outliers,” perused the
National Association for Education for Young Children, and watched a piece on
“60 Minutes.”
There is no single factor
that can determine readiness for Kindergarten. It is rather a combination of
factors – and we need to look at them all carefully.
There is research out there as to why some parents
wait to send their child to Kindergarten.
Parents hold them back because they do not feel their
child is ready for the academic, social and emotional demands of a kindergarten
class.
In the admission process I meet with parents who have to
make an important decision for their child. They can either enroll them another
year in PK, continue their path to Kindergarten or find another transitional
grade, i.e. Junior Kindergarten.
I have met many parents who graduated from high school at 17. They would never
want to delay their child’s growth by keeping them from moving onto the next
grade with their PK classmates.
I have met with other parents who really want to give
their child the gift of time. They like the idea of having a more mature child
handle the complexities of school.
If you question your child's readiness talk to someone
about it.
Talk to their preschool teacher or a trusted friend. Talk
to your pediatrician.
Talk to parents who have waited and those who have moved
their child ahead despite their late birthday.
Talk to me! I have met lots of children who fall into
this category - we can talk through the pros and cons together. When children
go through the admission process we look at lots of different factors and once
we put together the puzzle pieces is a very strong case for one grade over the
other. At SSSAS we are looking at the long-term journey which is why we have a
Junior Kindergarten. There is no rush to the finish line.
Every child is different.
Take a deep breath and enjoy this special time. We do not
have a crystal ball - be patient with your child and yourself. Sometimes time
helps answer your questions.
