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reading, math or social skills intervention to achieve their grade-level expectations. Boys are more often held back a year for kindergarten because their parents don’t want them to be the youngest in the classroom, which they perceive as an academic and social disadvantage. Well- educated, upper-income families are more likely to hold back their kids from beginning kindergarten at the appropri- ate age. This trend has now become more widespread across the country. The rationale is that older children out- compete the younger peers in class, sports and college admissions. This redshirting trend has now become an issue for the kindergarten teacher with students in class ranging in age from fi ve to six years and older. The older kids in the class may have acquired more skills in math and reading since they were held back to mature and attend a pre-kindergarten program. This puts the age-appropriate kindergartner at a disadvantage. The younger students may start out behind, but by the end of kindergarten, most children will achieve the necessary academic and social skills to advance to fi rst grade, according to the most recent research. Some current research is just begin- ning to examine the late effects of
When a child should enter
kindergarten is an issue for parents
holding back a child for kindergarten, skipping grades and retention. As the child advances in school, there are some negative social, academic and develop- mental outcomes, such as dropping out of school, acting out, using drugs and entering the workforce at a later age — all of which will have an impact as these children reach adulthood and beyond. How can you make the best choice
Assess your child’s ability for school readiness
Ready, Set, Grow
for your kindergarten-age child? Most school districts have registration for kindergarten three to six months ahead of the approaching school year. Children will mature during that time and continue to achieve developmental and academic skills before school begins. Most school districts assess kindergarten students for their readiness to learn. You also need to assess your child’s ability for school readiness. Whether your child has the following skills may help you decide on kindergarten entry. Your child:
1.Can express himself using at least fi ve words in a sentence and can be under-
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