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With boys, it is more a matter of maturity than intelligence. We had the chance to put our #1 son in first grade just before he turned 6, but we decided to wait. He was always very comfortable in school, even though he was a few months older than most of the kids in his class.

Our #2 son had just barely made the cut-off and we did put him in school, but it took him almost until high school to truly feel comfortable. He was always miles ahead academically, though, so that probably contributed to his feeling so different from everyone else. Thankfully, he was in a small Catholic school, and all the kids were very supportive of him, until 7th grade, when two new boys moved in. They were real jock types and gave him a lot of grief. That was the first time he ever wished he could have been held back. When I pointed out that he would have been even MORE ahead of that group academically, he saw my point and just gutted it out.

Frankly, I wouldn't push your son, unless he's already demonstrated that he can handle classroom situations well. Even if he is ahead academically, he may need some time to settle in socially.

Hmmmm..... He seems to be pretty mature for a four year old. At least socially. When he's at the playground he tends to lead. He's kind of head strong and doesn't take any guff. When older boys try to taunt him he just stands there and looks at the kid as if to say, "What is your malfunction?"

I don't know. We can't really afford to send him to a pre-school. We have time.

They were real jock types and gave him a lot of grief......... he saw my point and just gutted it out

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Why are children expected to put up with abuse that would earn an adult millions in court, if it occurred at work?

Your son was in a Catholic school or a public school when the kids started picking on him? I'm assuming public because I can't imagine nuns allowing kids to be picked on--but I never attended a Catholic school, so maybe I don't have a true picture of what it is like there. The only one I am familiar with is in my town--35 kids to a class!! A bit much indeed.