I need some advice. Jake will be turning 5 this April and should be starting Kindergarten this fall. However, we're considering holding off another year.
I think he's ready intellectually, but I'm not sure about emotionally. Whenever I talk to him about going to school he's never excited. He says that he just wants to stay home with me, and the last thing I want is a fight to get him to school every day. He is in preschool two times a week right now and usually really enjoys it. Occasionally, he throws a fit and doesn't want to go.
I do think it would be nice to have him closer to Ellie in school, and he won't have to wait a whole year after graduation to leave on his mission. I also think it would be a benefit that he would be a little bigger physically. What I don't want is him getting bored in school or feeling dumb because he would be older than the other kids. He would also be in a different grade from the kids in his primary class and I don't know if that would be hard for him in the coming years.
Do any of you have any words or wisdom or experience with this? I want to do what's best for Jake, so any advice would be helpful!
Thanks!
7 years ago
11 comments:
Ok, so I don't have any words of wisdom since I only have one child and he is only 1. But, I think that it's good you are taking him to preschool, maybe by the time Kindergarten rolls around he will be ready. Just keep talking to him about it and what he will get to do at school. If it were me, I would put him in this year and give it a little time. If he doesn't seem to be adjusting well, maybe you can pull him out and wait a year. That may be bad advise...I don't know but I think that's what I would do. :)
Yes I have no idea.. And I can't beleive that cute little boy it going to be 5 next month, wow! I do maybe like the start him and see how it goes thing and then don't feel bad if you decide to pull him out but I have no idea.. He is cute and I am sure whatever you decide he will go with it he's just cool like that.
My parents ended up holding me back another year. I was never in the same grade as kids at church, but I usually made friends at school anyway. My sis-in-law did the same thing with their little boy a couple of years ago. He defniately is a smart kid, but wasn't emotionally ready for school everyday. Some schools now even have like an "honors or advanced kindergarten or 1st grade to make sure they aren't bored or not getting stimulated enough.
Have you thought about taking a "field trip" to the kindergarten where he'd be going to school? Maybe call the school/teachers and see if that's allowed so you can see Jake's reaction to it. Good luck with your decision! Can't believe you're going to have a five year old. We can't be that old!! ;)
@Nicole
Hey now, having a 5 year old doesn't make you old!
@Erin
I say best to get him started. Kids mature really fast. By the time September rolls around you'll be surprised how different he is.
I have no idea. I'm excited for you though.
Start getting him books from the library about going to school, or videos about going to school.
We took a walk/bikeride over to the school the other day so Stephen could see the playground. We didn't go in, just went around the outside of the school. Stephen is nervous, and has a million questions about what school will be like, but he is very excited.
Good luck!
U should ask my mom. She kept my brother back.
I guess I am going to be the black sheep in this convo. I went to kindergarten very smart but emotionally immature. I came home from school everyday the first 3 weeks and cried! After talking to my teacher my mom decided to give me another year of preschool. When my friends were turning 15, I was getting my drivers license (yes, they were jealous). There are good and bad sides to both, but will you damage your kid? Not likely! Aileena is in the same situation. She is the oldest in her class, and yes, she has a church class that is in a different grade. I asked her last night about it, and she said that it has never bothered her. Her friends are her friends no matter what. As far as being challenged academically? She is at the top of her class and full of confidence, she has compassion for the ones who don't catch on as fast, and loves helping them out. Her teachers have always made sure that she is challenged, and as she gets older, i feel it will help her even more in jr. high and high school. Am I an advocate? Absolutely! But the bottom line is that every kid is different, and it is important that you continue to follow the intuition you have as his mom. You won't ever be wrong. Heavenly Father blesses us moms that way. So trust yourself, Jake will be just fine!
Erin,
Matt's birthday is Aug. 14th. He was just like what you describe. I could hardly get him to go to primary and even though his best friend was going to kindergarten when he was supposed to, Matt was not excited. We waited a year to send him. Best thing ever. The only time it seemed to stick out was a little at baptism and getting the priesthood. Glad we did it.
I love you guys
Lori
Erin,
If you decide to send him, we could always request that he and Blake be in the same class. i'm not sure if that would help, but I know Blake would LOVE that. We hope you send him, but if not, he will still be Blake's fave friend. :)
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