retention

[tirzahdawn]

What are your views on keeping kids with summer birthdays at the prek level in prek for another year before going to K? Or even before they go into prek? All the retention studies I have seen deal 1st grade students and up. Thanks. I had parent teacher conferences this year and my school pushes hard (I am one of those) to give the gift of time before they are being retained b/c they are failing. It has been a hard two days. I had a parent actually tell me that what I do all day is stupid. So, I am just curious about what other prek teacher's views are.
Thanks
Amy J

[Gracie]

Oh Amy, a parent actually said that to you? I can't imagine being so unfeeling and rude. Even if someone has a complaint or disagreement about something - at least use civil words to discuss it. My goodness. I am always in favor of the children waiting as long as possible before starting K. The earliest birthday I've had parents keep their children with me for one more year was April 1st. I think that letting them start kinder later is not so much an issue for kinder, but can make a big difference in their older years. Those extra months to mature and have a chance to develop appropriately is so valuable to them in the long run, I think.

[alwayslearning]

I think it depends on several factors, with a late birthday being one important one. Our own twin sons went to an extra year of Pre-K before kindergarten. They had been extremely premature. One could have gone that fall, but the other definitely wasn't ready. We figured there would be more issues with having them in different grades for the rest of their educations. We have always been glad we did it. I sometimes share my experience when discussing this topic with parents. I would not suggest holding back a child strictly because of a late birthday, if that child has the maturity for kindergarten. I do welcome the decision if it comes from the parents. I have a student in my class this year for the second time. He has a summer birthday and his mom (a teacher) felt he would benefit from being on the older side instead of the younger side. Luckily, I have several mature students this year, so it is more like a "bridge" class which is just right for him. Also, I would also take into account whether the kindergarten program will be half or full day. Sometimes I have pointed out to parents of boys that in middle school the girls tend to be more mature than boys their age, this gets them thinking ahead instead of just thinking that they want their child in kindergarten this fall.

[vannapk]

I think it also depends on your program. Our public pre-k program in TX is state funded and we are not allowed to retain because the state will only fund pre-k for children who are 4 years old. If we retained a student then he or she would be 5 the following year and the state would not pay. Children are at a variety of different stages of development during pre-k. Some are more ready and able to do the tasks we are asking of them and others just need more time and repeated exposure. I have seen some of my "neediest" students I was sure would fail kinder go on to thrive and even excel.

[Ladybug]

It is so hard to convince some parents that their child would benefit from another year of Pre-K. I just finished conferences and have one child who really is not ready for kindergarten. Mom seemed ok with having him stay with me another year but Dad is not. He commented that when he was in kindergarten, he learned his letters and he thinks I am pushing too hard by doing that in Pre-K. I told him that things have changed and told how different kindergarten expectations were for my oldest child compared to my youngest child.

[tirzahdawn]

Thank you so much for your information. It makes me feel that I am not crazy.

[Teacher Tom]

I always advise parents to hold kids back a year if they have any inclination whatsoever and it has very little to do with academics, observations, or development. My mom always said, "Keep them at home as long as you can because once they start kindergarten they're gone." I've shared that with dozens of families over the years and they have almost always chosen to wait a year for K. We do have the advantage of being across the street from a "transitional kindergarten" (fancy words for another year of preschool) being taught by a former parent of mine. It makes the kids feel like they're in "big kid school" without the pressure of being in over their heads. As they move forward through school, it's always an advantage to be one of the oldest, most mature kids.

[The Activity Mom]

If a child is academically ready but not socially or emotionally, do you recommend waiting?