I have a young daughter who was born on the 28th June 2011 and I am really worried about her being a young prep next year. She goes to daycare full time and is pretty switched on - she knows all her letters and sounds and is very good with her letters. She has still got another year of learning before school. I feel as a mum that she will be fine but I am constantly reading people saying that Parents should hold young ones back. I don't want her to struggle for all her school life but I also think she will be bored if I keep her in Pre-Prep for another year. She is also very small for her age - she wears size 0 shorts. I want to do the best thing for my daughter and I am totally torn at the moment.
9 Replies
My hubby was born at the end of the year and wishes his parents kept him back. He was always behind. My daughter is also right at the cut off and after talking to a few teachers I have decided to keep her back. She is also switched on but I think a 4.5 year old is to young for school, I personally think it's stupid how they've worked it now. All children should be 5 before they start school imo! Butler you know your child's capabilities more them anyone's else so ultimately it's your decision. Talk to her child career and gets their thoughts.
Hold her back. Mine is older by 3 days and because of the April 30 cut-off in Vic will go in 2016 to Prep. While mine is very similar to yours, I feel happier knowing that she will be more developed emotionally.
I kept both my son who was born in April and my daughter who was born in March back the extra year and it was the best decision I ever made, I don't understand why people feel the need to push the kids into school so early. Keep them home and enjoy them, they spend so much time at school as it is
I'm in two minds. I work with kids who need extra help and my aunt is a school principal.
It's usually the parents of the kids who are most prepared for school that are worrying if there kids are ready. Your daughter sounds more than ready. A large chunk of the kids won't know there letters, won't have seen a pencil or even been away from their parents for an entire day! She sounds like she will be well and truly ready
I was born in early June and started school when I was 4. I had absolutely no problems at all through school. Mum just says I was ready and I would have been bored staying in pre school for a whole nother year. Trust your instincts, you will know whether she's ready. Don't hold her back just because that's what everyone else around you is saying.
My son started prep last year he was born 23rd June, I was worried about sending him being so young but he absolutley loved it and did so well. He was the youngest and smallest in the school , everyone looked out for him cause he was so cute and tiny lol
I believe it's very individual. My daughter's birthday is 25 May, so she's amongst the youngest. I was a bit concerned at first. But she has done really well. There was a bit of catching up to do in terms of emotional maturity, but one year later you'd never guess she's so much younger than some o her friends. She's going into grade 1 this year, so far so good. Having said all that, it would have been great if she didn't have that struggle at first! I would've planned it better if I'd thought of school starting age when we'd planned her pregnancy!
Don't stress about it now, you will know that she is ready when she's bored at kindy/daycare about Sept. Just be aware that you have to consider the social aspect as well and this can become a problem later (high school) if she isn't emotionally ready to deal with the bitchy girls etc. some people choose to repeat prep instead of doing an extra pre prep year. Most important is to not listen to other people - you know your child best : )
This is the topic that has no answer! She is legally allowed to go so make a choice and stick with it! I made the choice to send my "young prep". She starts high school next week and graduated primary school already 12 months ahead of herself in all areas. It is totally about the development of the child and not their age. All the best.