She will be starting summer camp next week...at a different preschool. So we'll see how that goes. It's kind of like the Hell Hole school in that it has extended care hours. Which makes a difference because friendships are often forged between the all day every day kids and not the half day, two days a week kids. So, it's a different experience. I'll let you know if she adapts well.
Now, my next decision to make is whether or not I'll hold her back (the Princess has a fall birthday and our school district has a December cut-off). Granted, she has another year until she turns five, but I'm already thinking about it. I'm inclined to hold her back. I've spoken to several teachers and they say that you don't notice a difference in Kindergarten and first grade, but once second grade comes around, you notice a maturity difference. It has nothing to do with academics-- but the social aspects of school
If your preschool aged child has a fall birthday, what are you going to do?
Oh, and it's official, I'm soliciting travel tips for families based on In The Trenches' suggestion from my last post. I'm going to put it in my mom's newsletter. I found these tips from Parent Hacks, for keeping kids entertained at an airport during delays or layovers. Any other tips?
8 comments:
Aww, I'm so glad she ended up liking school. The people can make a world of difference, and I think you are right about how the pt kids get left out of friendships.
Sunshine has an October birthday, and we had no choice but to wait. We thought she was ready last year, but she was very well adjusted when she went this year. She didn't have attachment issues anymore, so it was a lot easier for her to let go and learn.
i have nov. and dec. kids so they were always the older ones in the class--i found this to be good.
i am about to post travel tips for children. will let you know when i have it up.
Thats a really good question. The twins have a May birthday so we won't encounter that.
But if I had any hesitation at all about where they were socially or as far as maturity level then I would hold them back.
It would seem to make more sense because i'd hate to have them in a situation that they weren't emotionally ready for.
If she is though then I think you should go for it!
Stinks will always be older because she misses the cut off by a few days...I hate it.
But I love that she has more time to mature before kindergarten. We'll see what happens when that starts.
Good luck in your decision.
I'm 32 and I wish someone would hve held me back indefinitely around the age of 24...
"Don't move on... don't grow up... keep having meaningless fun with meaningless women..."
Wait. What was the question again? Oh yeah... holding back before kindergarten. A lot of people I know have opinions about this and I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, its good to make your child's life easier but on the other hand, why not get the show started already. We already prolong adolesence in America well past the norm.
What travel tips are you looking for?
Teacher's opinion about holding back -- every child is different whether their birthday is in the fall or not. You know your child, what she is interested in, how she relates to others, the enthusiasm with which she approaches learning. Let that be your guide.
Mother's opinion -- Same :-) Sorry -- kids are kids and need a heart looking after them, right?
The kids who have birthdays later in December have been "skipped" a grade because of having to wait -- although this isn't heard of often anymore.
Good luck with camp!
Good decision. It's not an easy one. I've got 2 July babies....
Thanks for the shoutout! Traveling this week with 3 little ones was tough. Those tips on Parent Hacks seemed geared towards older children--not like my 3 who are under 6. I would suggest:
1. Pack snacks for the plane. If they're eating, they're not crying.
2. Crayons and coloring books are good distractions as well.
3. Don't plan on them sleeping. At all. Because if you think they will, they won't.
4. If all else fails, one word: Benadryl.
Post a Comment