I agree with you that it is an individual decision. I have two kids with late September birthdays (cut off is Oct. 1) and school starts the beginning of August. One was academically and emotionally ready to start as a four year old and be one of the youngest in the class. The other was academically ready, but emotionally immature, so I held that child back until the following year. It was the best decision for both of them.
That is the point-you made a decision for your children based on your knowledge of their abilities and level of maturity. Who better?
I was born in September. But my folks say I flunked nursery school is why I had to do it twice! And they may be right. I do recall not being able to play in the sand table for quite awhile after I threw a metal Tonka Truck at John D.
WTH is school starting at the beginning of August?
I didn’t hold my son back. He turned 5 on Sept. 6. He’s now 16, and I’m very glad I didn’t hold him back.
He hit puberty early. He was almost 6 ft tall and was shaving in 6th grade.
He’s also smart. He’s in 3 AP courses, and has maintained over a 4.0.
He would have been so bored in school if we had held him back.
My twin daughters were born in November, and we held them back. It was a good for both of them. They had speech problems and were very shy. One of them has some special needs, so I’m really glad she was held back. The other one would do okay if she was in the grade above, but it’s okay where she’s at.
On the whole I believe it best to delay schooling.
I came to the states as a young boy speaking only German. I started first grade just two months shy of turning 7. Never attended preschool or kindergarten.
Despite an initial language handicap, I never had any
problem at school - it came relatively easy - and I’m
certain my age maturity was the major factor.
apart from being preternaturally brilliant that is :)