Posted by
Ed
15 yrs ago
As schools start back into session around the country, some parents of young children face a difficult question: Send their little ones to kindergarten as soon as they become age-eligible, or hold them back in hopes that an additional year of maturity will give them an academic boost?
This voluntary kindergarten delay, dubbed "redshirting" after the practice of benching college athletes for a season to prolong their eligibility, is a source of much national and personal debate. As kindergarten programs have become more rigorous, redshirting proponents argue, kids need to be older to handle the curriculum. For children whose birthdays fall just before the kindergarten age cut-off date, redshirting bumps them from one of the youngest in the class to one of the oldest. It's a tempting prospect for parents who don't want their child to be the least mature in the room (or the smallest in gym class).
More http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38993761/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/
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Tune
15 yrs ago
"Some studies find that redshirted kids are academically on par with their classmates."
Other than the benefits of socialising and making friends, there are many studies that show kids schooled later, such as at 5-6, are on par with their already schooled peers. What this article fails to do is mention myelination and cognitive development.
Unfortunately, early Education in Hong Kong is largely fueled by trepidation and bling by parents and kindergartens alike. Play, an essential part of a child's development, often meets with skepticism from highly capricious parents as to its usefulness. For example, a parent observing their infant playing may consider the game pointless and irrational; therefore feel the need to interject some structure into their child's game. In an economic climate such as Hong Kong’s, kindergartens are likely to place less emphasis on play and more on structured lessons in order to meet the demands of the parents.
What a shame.
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"Play, an essential part of a child's development, often meets with skepticism from highly capricious parents as to its usefulness. For example, a parent observing their infant playing may consider the game pointless and irrational; therefore feel the need to interject some structure into their child's game."
Very very true. Kids learn through play. If you manage to introduce some form of learning in there, as for example Montessori aims to do, that's fine. But don't make it "work". Play in itself is very good for kids. Kids need to be kids and kids need to learn to be bored.
It bugs me when parents and helpers stand behind the child and actively direct play. Can the child not be five minutes by herself? Let the kids be by themselves. My kids will play by themselves for hours without input. It is important for developing independence; it is important for creativity; it is important for self-esteem. Most of all, kids need to have FUN!
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Important: no one has ever suggested holding kids back from early years education or kindergarten results in any advantage. It's a big no-no. What people are doing is holding children back from Primary One, so that they are one year older than their cohort when they begin primary school. That means the child gets an 'extra' year of kindergarten or Reception (note: this practice is only common in countries where kindergarten is completely privatized and therefore is an option).
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Important: no one has ever suggested holding kids back from early years education or kindergarten results in any advantage. It's a big no-no. What people are doing is holding children back from Primary One, so that they are one year older than their cohort when they begin primary school. That means the child gets an 'extra' year of kindergarten or Reception (note: this practice is only common in countries where kindergarten is completely privatized and therefore is an option).
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Ms Jones, delaying the start of kindergarten is EXACTLY what parents in the article are doing, and what is feuling the debate...did you read the link? It's not so much about 'getting an advantage' over the others at the same age level, but rather making sure your child is ready for what are increasingly (and unfortunately) the rigors of the modern kindergarten curriculum but letting them mature for another year.
Personally I don't think there's a right or wrong, after all, no one knows their child like the parents do.
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Well said funbobby. All kids are different. That's why I like Montessori pre-school so much. By mixing kids of different ages in the same class it is much easier for kids who are ahead or behind the average to still thrive.
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Tune
15 yrs ago
"Important: no one has ever suggested holding kids back from early years education or kindergarten results in any advantage" - Or disadvantage. Do some reading on the issue Ms Jones.
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Goodness the Hong Kong system is a confused mess. I am planning to leave HK to avoid having to submit my youngest to the system, eldest sadly is having to participate I only hope she can adapt when she goes to a "normal" school after our relocation.
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Which HK system are you referring to and how is it confused?
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JJB
15 yrs ago
Worth a read is Under Pressure by Carl Honore
http://www.carlhonore.com/?page_id=5
I found it a very interesting book.
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I am looking for Art lesson for my 4y/o son. We live in TST.
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