Our son who just turned 5 has been flagged as a potential repeat of prep (he is one of if not the youngest in his class) . The main reason behind the suggestion is social maturity (or immaturity). I would love to hear from other parents if they were in the same situation and what they did.. pros and cons for both sides and long term effects
9 Replies
My sister repeated reception (what it was called at the time). She was the youngest in the class.
It actually improved her confidence and she made better friendships than she did the first time around and it was just a totally different experience. She is not damaged by repeating.
My brother was the youngest in the class and mum didn't repeat him. It's one of the few things she regrets. It's always an advantage to be one of the oldest at this time of your life :)
My son repeated prep, I was a little upset when I was approached by the school as you always want to hear that your child is cruising along with no problems. However, I am glad I did choose to go ahead with having him repeat. He was so much more confident, and his ability to understand what was being asked of him also improved. There was no issues with him missing his previous friends.. he easily made new ones. I deffinently don't regret it.
I was always the youngest in my year. In hindsight I wish I’d been kept back (my parents say the same) - it wasn’t such an issue when I was younger because I went to a small school but when I hit high school the difference in social maturity was huge. It was also really difficult being first year out of uni and a country kid in a big new city and not being 18 until 6 months after everybody else
I noticed it all through out school.
I was just younger and found in extra curricular activities I naturally hung out with kids who were a year below at school than me.
Repeat for sure. Best to do it at prep, probably the only time you'll be able to, after this he'll just struggle and the gap will only get bigger and more noticeable.
There will be kids starting next year who are older than him. A common suggestion in this scenario is also to move schools so he doesn't see all his friends move but not him. Another approach would be to go for a combined class if the school has one. But if thats a good school I would stay there and repeat him.
If in doubt - repeat!
A friend of mine regrets not repeating.
From what I've observed in their situation, that emotional/social immaturity becomes a real issue in around grade 5 and 6. Her daughter has become quite ostracised because of the huge difference developmentally.
Go with your gut, you know him better than anyone else.