Our decision to redshirt Kindergarten

School started this week for the children of casa de phillips.

Not a moment too soon, in this mother’s opinion. The three of us were spending just a bit too much time together this summer and we all needed a bit of a break.

This year the children started at a new school. I spent months researching potential programs. I went so far as creating a spreadsheet with pros and cons of at least fifteen different preschool programs in the area. When my eyes began to cross and I started to think that perhaps just watching an hours worth of Sesame Street a day would be enough of an education, I finally made my decision.

The smiles on the kids’ faces when I arrived to pick them up this afternoon was proof that we found a fun place for them to learn this school year.

The exciting aspect of school for the children is that they are finally together. Yes, the “twins” who were born 21 months apart have been reunited at school. For the time being, they are rotating through the school in the same group (children rotate through rooms and areas: reading, science, creative arts, gym, math, geography, computer lab, etc.). Despite the fact that these two see each other every waking minute of the day, the thought of hanging out with each other at school is beyond thrilling to them.

The question with this school year has been, “Is Isaac going to Kindergarten?” Since he was born, we knew that most likely we would “red shirt” him the year he could officially begin kindergarten. The cut-off date for our state is September 1st, meaning a child must be five years of age by September 1st if he/she is going to attend public school. Isaac’s birthday is at the beginning of August. We knew that if we sent him this year he would most likely be the youngest in his class. Although being the youngest is not a terrible thing in itself, we knew it would mean that Isaac could potentially be smaller than the other kids (more of an issue for boys rather than girls) and not as emotionally mature as other children.

Remember the kid who cried all the time in first grade?

Well, I bet you he had a summer birthday.

Over the past five years, we have talked to many different people about our choice to redshirt kindergarten. I have talked to parents, children in the same predicament, educators and friends about this decision. In all my conversations, only one person encouraged me to send Isaac on to school this year (who happened to be a director of a Montessori program. If you are familar with Montessori, you know that grades are not even recognized. Therefore I felt her opinion was  a bit skewed.). There is a lot of talk and research about redshirting, both for and againstit. Some people worry that if a child is held back a year from school he/she is missing out on a chance to learn. This is not an issue for us because Isaac has attended formal preschool programs since he turned two. Other people worry that if too many children are redshirting, it skews the age range in a classroom. I see some validity with this point, but then look at such schools of thought as the Montessori method who deliberately put an array of ages in a program to enhance learning and do so successfully.

Those who support redshirting particularly do so when the child being held back is a male. Boys with late birthdays (June – September) seem to do better when given an extra year to grow both physically and emotionally. Research has found that boys who were redshirted in Kindergarten seemed to be advantaged academically down the road, especially reading.

The question that remains is “What about the fact that a child with a summer birthday might be ready academically? Will he/she be bored when he finally starts school?”

My answer is quite profound and goes along the lines of  “Uhh…we don’t know. Ask me next year.”

Currently Isaac has strong reading skills, math skills and writing skills. We attribute these things to a quality preschool, an intrinsic love for learning on his part, and my tendency to purchase every workbook I come across.  When he does enter the Kindergarten classroom is he going to be bored to tears when phonics are discussed? Possibly. Will he entertain himself to hold off the boredom by getting in trouble? Likely. He is a boy.

Now that I have been able to tuck away all my preschool spreadsheets, I am about to start creating school spreadsheets. Although we are quite comfortable with our decision to hold Isaac back and give him another year to develop, we also recognize that we need to find an educational program that will be fun and challenging to him.

And not cost the equivalent to what I paid for college.

So, yes, we are redshirting kinder this year.

Yes, we are not quite sure exactly what direction we will take with the children’s formal schooling.

Yes, I love spreadsheets a little too much.

Any questions?

Now the requisite “First Day of School” pictures:

Reading Friends Preschool/Kindergarten

I had the opportunity to visit Reading Friends Preschool and Kindergarten in the Highland Village a few weeks ago. I was excited because it is a place that I had heard about from one of my friends as having a really structured, yet creative approach to learning.

The Reading Friends program is is an academic Preschool for children ages 2 through Kindergarten which is structured and multi-sensory.  They take abstract/academic subjects and make them age-appropriate, concrete and meaningful to your young child.

And all of this is delivered in a fun, loving and nurturing environment.

Imagine visiting a jungle (aka Reading Friends Pre-Kindergarten Language Class for 4 year olds):     A different book introduces a jungle friend, and each friend represents a different letter of the alphabet.  The explorers sing along with Sis the Snake and her Jungle Band.  Mag the Monkey leads out with song and dance.  Tat the Toucan teaches about tattling.  Pal the Parrot demonstrates the importance of cleaning up after an adventure.  Every character has its own unique personality, and the kids adore them all! Language is exciting when jungle friends lead the way through learning letters and sounds.

There is great joy and learning by DOING.

Reading Friends was started here in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and has been teaching DFW kids for 21 years.  Their unique and innovative learning program has been developed and refined over the years.  The Phonics Advantage curriculum is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach of teaching phonics and language structure.

The bottom line is…it works!

The kids have fun participating in every aspect of learning.

What I loved the most about the school was the incorporation of exercise, movement and sensory activities into every activity. As a (no longer practicing) Physical Therapist, I know how exercise and movement impact brain function. As a mom of three boys, I know that energy expenditure is essential! Reading Friends keeps their students moving while learning.

Parents love the school almost as much as the kids do…

I met with Graham’s teacher today for the first Parent Conference and she had nothing but good things to say. I have to share that Graham had a green (best behavior) EVERY DAY for the 1st 6 weeks! So we’re off to a great start.  Just wanted to reiterate that I know Reading Friends gave us such a great foundation for K and beyond, and we are so grateful for that. –Kim, Parent of former Reading Friends Student

Burb Mom is excited to announce a Reading Friends coupon for our readers:

Special Offer for new families at the Moccassin Trail, Lewisville location –receive $75 off your first month’s tuition (limit one per family).

It really is something you should check out.  The school is located convenient to Flower Mound, Highland Village and Lewisville at 1439 Moccassin Trail.  You can find out more information by calling Marlo Senick, School Director at (972) 317-7772 or by filling out this form.

You will know if this is the right place for your child after exploring what Reading Friends has to offer…

Kindergarten Debacle

All of the end of the year activities are in play.  Today, we are going to Chase’s Kindergarten awards program & picnic!  It is very exciting.  Not as exciting as next year’s Kindergarten awards program & picnic will be when we are actually celebrating his conclusion of Kindergarten.

Oh the joys of repeating Kindergarten.

Have I mentioned that I am not thrilled fully convinced that this is best for my boy?  I don’t think I have.  I have mentioned it to some of my loved-ones but not to you, some of my dearest imaginary , invisible, Internet friends in the world!  I am sure many of you will have a contrary opinion to mine but I am going to go ahead and put mine out there…because, well, its my blog.

Chase is very young.  His birthday is July 24.  He has struggled a bit through Kindergarten.  BUT.  He is a very sharp kid who has achieved a “Satisfactory” rating on his report card in almost every subject throughout the majority of the year. Over the past few months, he has blossomed in maturity & retention of reading/writing concepts in leaps and bounds.

NOTE: Shauna has no problem holding kids back a year for growth.  Shauna does not necessarily believe that Kindergarten is the most beneficial year for that to be done for Chase.

I think that the basic concepts covered in Kindergarten are going to be quite boring for my boy next year.  I am afraid that my obedient, well behaved child might fill his boredom with silliness & acting out.  He may not, but time will only tell.    The teachers & staff are recommending another year for Chase because they feel like he “just isn’t ready” for First Grade. Our school has an amazing reading recovery program for first graders (that Mackenzie participated in this year) – I know that if he moves on to 1st grade, he is likely to be involved in that program and it did wonders for Mackenzie!  I feel a little irresponsible wanting my child in that program but I can see Chase quickly getting right where he needs to be.

When I signed the letter that was written up for me requesting for Chase to re-do Kindergarten, I asked if I could re-evaluate the situation at the end of the summer. I don’t think it is fair to measure his maturity 5 months before it is even time to start 1st grade. I do have that option so we will just see where he is in a few months.

I honestly feel like I am up against an educational regime on this though. I feel like if I decide to put him in 1st grade – I have this huge group of people looking down on my parenting skills.  Which isn’t really fair.  I want to do what’s best for my boy & I just have this gut feeling that this is not it. (NOTE: I absolutely adore Chase’s teachers/administrators and know that they are trying to do what they think is best for him as well, we just differ in opinion.)

OK – well thanks for listening to my rant.  Again, I am sure there are some adverse opinions on this.  Feel free to put it out there but be nice.

Shauna rambles and rants over at Blah Blah Blog when she isn’t keeping your favorite website up and running!

LISD Kindergarten Round Up March 24-26

For more information about individual schools, please visit: www.lisd.net.

Academic Redshirting

Flower Mound and Highland Village Parents Waiting to Launch Kindergartners

Sam Van Ooven and his twin sister Anna were newborns when their parents began discussing kindergarten placement.

Like many well-educated couples, Steven and Laurie Van Ooven knew that their kids’ late July birthday would likely make them some of the youngest children in their class–and perhaps put them at a disadvantage academically and socially when competing with chronologically older peers.

So by the time their twins were five, the decision was almost a no-brainer: Following an additional readiness assessment, the siblings would do an “encore” year of preschool at Trietsch Enrichment Center in Flower Mound before moving on to kindergarten. This would give the siblings time to mature before taking on the rigors of an elementary-school curriculum.

“I think we almost decided at birth,” Mr. Van Ooven said. “They were summer babies. And since we had a boy coming, well, it was something that was pretty straightforward.”

Sam and Anna have plenty of company.

Six percent of all children eligible for kindergarten under state statutes in the Lewisville Independent School District are held back by their parents–a practice nicknamed “academic redshirting” by educators.

While that number is comparable to those in other communities nationwide, it is noteworthy that more than half of all children redshirted in LISD live in the affluent communities of Flower Mound and Highland Village, said Kathy Haule, the district’s Early Childhood Supervisor.

This means that on average, every kindergarten in these communities has at least one or two children who might be upwards of six and a half years old–a whole 18 months older than his or her classmates.

“I moved here from another part of Texas three years ago and it wasn’t even an issue, but it is quite a big topic here in LISD,” said Ms. Haule, whose position was created to coordinate the district’s pre-K and kindergarten programs.

Meanwhile, national experts are at odds over whether or not such practices help or hinder individuals.

“The research is mixed,” said Donald Easton-Brooks, an assistant professor of Teacher Education and Administration at the University of North Texas in Denton who has studied redshirting. “If you’re an impoverished community where parents can’t provide meals, then schooling…would be beneficial. If you’re a child in an affluent community, I don’t know how delaying a child would be a benefit.”

Moreover, Easton-Brooks worried about the societal impact on ethnic minorities, who are far less likely to be redshirted than their white peers and thus are competing with significantly older children. Pitting such children against one another is simply unfair, he said.

He said one thing is clear: The trend will continue–and escalate–especially in communities like Flower Mound and Highland Village where parents have the money to make choices.

READY OR NOT?

Currently, 125 of LISD’s 3,810 kindergarteners who started school in the Fall of 2008 have been previously redshirted, though parents’ reasons for doing so isn’t clear from district data, Ms. Haule said.

While the district does not currently keep track of redshirting trends, it seems as though more families become more concerned about kindergarten readiness when the district moved from half-day to full-day kindergarten in the 1990s, said Dean Tackett, a public information officer for LISD who served as an elementary school principal for 17 years.

“Parents began worrying about the demands and the endurance needed,” Mr. Tackett said. “When you’re in the suburbs, parents want kids to be stronger, faster, brighter.”

Despite interest in the topic, the district’s policy is in line with state laws and thus administrators encourage those with children who turn five years old by September 1 to enroll them in kindergarten, Ms. Haule said.

“Our official position is that any child legally of the age has a right to be education,” she said.

Still, many practitioners throughout the district including Ms. Haule encourage families to assess their children themselves for signs of readiness, consult with preschool teachers, day care providers and pediatricians before making any decisions.

Brandi Valor of Flower Mound talked to her daughter’s preschool teacher then opted to redshirt Isabelle, who was born August 13, based on the belief that she needed time to master academic fundamentals.

“Our daughter has always excelled socially, with her vocabulary, her conversation skills and the like,” Ms. Valor said. “We felt the extra time to master her letters and numbers would be time well spent. We want school to be a fun, exciting experience for our kids, not something they have to struggle with.”

Marion Greer of Lewisville was sure her “sweet, sensitive son” was ready academically for kindergarten even though he had a late August birthday, yet she was concerned he didn’t quite have the social skills necessary. Thus, she held him back.

“It was the best decision we’ve ever made–he bloomed in that extra year,” the former kindergarten teacher said. “I truly believe allowing students to have maturity when starting school is the greatest gift we can give.”

She added that the benefits have been long-lasting: Not only did he have a positive kindergarten experience, but he also excelled in first and second grades and is performing well now as a third grader.

While parents like Ms. Greer often make such observations, early childhood education advocates aren’t so sure children who are redshirted gain anything from it.

“There is no research to support the idea that holding a child back helps them in school–even if the kid is young,” said Jerlean E. Daniel, the deputy executive director at the Washington-based National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Ms. Haule, of LISD, countered that even if there is an advantage early on, “the bottom line is that any gain the child seems to have socially or emotionally going in seems to diminish by middle or high school.”

She added that “research shows that academic gains…begin to even out by third grade.”

Furthermore, Ms. Daniel contends that some of the very children who parents aim to help are actually hurt by redshirting.

Families have to ask themselves, “is my six-year-old going to be bored (academically) or really far ahead in terms of life experience?” she said.
If so, hanging out with five-year-olds is going to be a drag, Ms. Daniel added.

Furthermore, children who are bored often become behavior problems, she said.

ASSESSMENT KEY

The best thing to do, then, is to assess the individual child and remember that kindergartens include a diverse group of students, said BeLinda Nickel, who has served as principal of Heritage Elementary School in Highland Village for 11 years. “Some kids come very, very prepared and others don’t know letters or have number recognition.”

This is expected, she said, and addressed by kindergarten teachers who aim to help all children gain the knowledge an skills needed to move on to first grade.
Moreover, a child who has a strength in one area will likely have a weakness in another, added Robin Macke, the principal of Wellington Elementary School in Flower Mound. Thus, a student who has mastered the alphabet can work on learning to sit quietly during story time, she said.

Remember, too, that age won’t change a child’s personality, she said. Those who are shy might always be shy–and they’ll gravitate towards others who are quiet, too.

“If you can rule out possible learning issues…and everything else is intact, bring ‘em to me,” Ms. Macke said.

As a mother of six children, she admits this is easier said than done.

“The hardest thing,” Ms. Macke said, “is to stand back and say ‘It’s going to be fine.’”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Julie Blair is a freelance journalist based in the Dallas area. She has written about local, state and national education issues for more than 10 years. Ms. Blair is also the author of the book “Building Bridges With the Press: A Guide for Educators.” Julie writes a personal blog, Chocolate Covered Pajamas.