fbpx
(757) 460-2150
Should My Child Start School at 4 or 5?

Beginning early in school also means that a student will graduate and start a career at a young age. It is conceivable if the child will not experience bumps in learning in school. However, according to some studies, starting young in school may not only be stressful for kids. It may also make them think negatively about learning or education in general. 

Schooling for four or five-year-old kids

When it comes to primary education or kindergarten, five years old is relatively the acceptable age throughout the US. In some states like Virginia and Hawaii, five years old is the compulsory age. A parent can also drop or delay the enrollment of a child. It is allowed given the valid reason and submission of a formal request. 

Other concerns that affect the entrance to kindergarten are birthdays of some children and enrollment cut-off. The enrollment period in most states is between July 31 and September 30. In this regard, the kids whose birthdays fall after the registration would have no choice but wait for a year. Meanwhile, children who celebrate birthdays in the earlier months of the same year would be considered young five-year-old students before the start of the class. 

Many parents believe the four or five-year-old kids are too young to start schooling. It is where academic redshirting or delaying for a year the enrollment of kids to school. For parents, this is ideal, so the kids have time to prepare or develop their learning abilities. Moreover, a year of postponement would make a child more mature and ready for learning.

Not about the age alone

While four or five-year-olds are young for kindergarten, it is considered fit for the early childhood education programs, especially pre-k. Several research reports also implied that preschool and pre-k help improve the learning abilities and behavior of young kids. Pre-k, in particular, sets up the stage for kindergarten. Young kids who take this will be aware or keen on the structured environment of kindergarten. 

In essence, the advantages of academic redshirting are only realizable with pre-k. Note that the age of maturity alone is not enough to say that a child is ready to be a student. Parents should take action to nurture their learners through various educational activities or programs. 

Additionally, early intervention in the learning aspect is practical and ideal. It points to the idea that every child is distinct, so they also have varying needs and progress. Some are already showing curiosity and stamina to join classroom activities. To stop or ignore their development may also mean missing opportunities to help them. With the help of early childhood education experts, child-related problems can be discovered and solved immediately. 

Exposure in preschool and pre-k is not only all about the cognitive aspect of learning relevant subject matters. These programs also paved the way for improving the social, physical, and emotional sides of children. With caring support, they have better self-esteem and a sense of independence in learning. 

Another critical point before parents enroll their children in school is to know them better. Their observations make sense to get the best and specific steps to help young kids love learning even at four or five years old.