As it has a lasting impact, enrolling a child in kindergarten is a crucial decision for parents. For one thing, a child may not be ready for it or a bit mature if the parents decide to delay the enrollment for a year.
Most, if not all, states qualify five-year-old kids to enter kindergarten. So far, 12 have made it a compulsory age requirement for kindergarten as per compiled 2020 State Education Practices (SEP) report. It includes:
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Virginia
Whether for eligibility or compulsory, take note that every state has specific rules. In Virginia, for example, a five-year-old child on or before September 30 should be enrolled in kindergarten. When choosing to delay, parents have to inform or explain the reason to their local education district.
Typically, a health concern is an acceptable reason to delay taking kindergarten. However, various factors make parents choose to start it early or late.
Points of academic redshirting
Postponing an eligible-aged child to take kindergarten is also called academic redshirting. Parents choose this route to give their children ample time to prepare for their primary education. For them, the delay is advantageous, so their kids become better academically, socially, and physically.
Another idea about redshirting or starting late in kindergarten is maturity. Some young five-year-olds are not keen on a structural setup with a definite routine and curriculum. Ideally, they develop qualities that make them receptive learners. Thus, it is excellent if they are potty-trained, follow directions, and can join physical activities. Grown-up kids typically have these traits and tend to be confident about communicating their ideas and emotions.
Meanwhile, a report of Philadelphia Inquirer presented some of its disadvantages, including older or advanced kindergartners find themselves unchallenged. In an interview with Dr. Eric Boose of Cleveland Clinic, the family medicine practitioner mentioned that girls benefit from starting late in kindergarten. However, they incline to bully younger girls in school.
Starting early in kindergarten
Usually, summer birthdays dictate whether a child needs to enroll in the next school year for kindergarten. For example, children who just turned five a few months or weeks before enrollment are considered younger in kindergarten. In states like Kansas and Louisiana, however, the compulsory age for kindergarten is seven. Thus, it gives parents some space in decision-making.
An advantage of starting early in kindergarten is children also graduate young from school. Hence, they have a good head start when they join the workforce someday. Some young five-year-old kids are also already showing readiness to take kindergarten. To delay nurturing their potential may also affect their progress and enthusiasm in learning. A solution to this is to enroll a child in a pre-kindergarten program.
Overall, experts advise that parents should be aware when their children are ready for kindergarten. The determinants in starting early or late vary from academics to physical to social development. It should be a child-focused decision. On the other hand, preschools can help parents assess and prepare their children for kindergarten.
If you’re looking for a preschool for kids, choose Rainbow Preschool.
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