See Below: TIPS, IDEAS & SUGGESTIONS FOR REDSHIRTING OR NOT REDSHIRTING KINDERGARTEN
What is Redshirting?
Redshirting, including redshirting kindergarten, means skipping a year. For school, typically kindergarten, parents are redshirting kindergarten for a variety of reasons.
Although there are some advantages and disadvantages to redshirting kindergarten, some parents are convinced it is the right choice for their child.
Redshirting Kindergarten Decisions
Years ago, many kindergarteners started school at 4 years old but turned 5 throughout the year. I was one of those students. My birthday is at the very end of January, so I didn’t turn 5 until the next calendar year!
I know from experience that due to my young age and my size….I was SUPER tiny, I struggled all through school. I was small and immature and definitely not ready to start kindergarten.
Because of my personal experience and knowledge, I had decided I would NEVER send a child to school at 4 years old.
So, as a mother of five grown children and now raising my two grandchildren, I used my experience when deciding on redshirting kindergarten.
Since most of my children were born before the end of the cut-off dates, I sent them all when they were 5 years old. Two of my kids are born in July, so although I thought long and hard about sending them, I did.
Side note: Both of my July children now have advanced degrees as adults!
But, with our school district cut-off date of September 30th (SO ARBITRARY AND STUPID), July was pushing it a little.
Then years later my granddaughter was born at the end of September, and her mom decided to send her to school. Of course, going to school allows parents an opportunity to work. Financially it made sense for her.
Yet, over the years it has proven to be difficult for my granddaughter to keep up with her peers. Being one of the youngest students in the grade is a huge disadvantage for her. Furthermore, she was diagnosed with ADHD and her schooling has become more challenging over the years.
Her cousin, who is nine days older than she is, was held back and is in the grade behind her. His parents felt it was the right thing to do at the time and continue to believe they made the right decision.
Of course, no one knows what advantages my granddaughter would have had in school if she had redshirted kindergarten. Honestly, I hope the older she gets she will overcome the challenges she has by being a very young student in her grade, as well as having ADHD.
Hopefully, time, experience, and maturity will help her find the benefits of having older classmates she can learn from and grow with.
Why is it Called Redshirting?
Redshirting is generally a term used with athletes. It began in the 1930s at the University of Nebraska. College athletes that practiced with the team, but were not officially members of the team wore a plain red shirt to indicate they were not a full member of the team.
Red was the Nebraska team color, which was why that color was chosen. Over the years, athletes, mostly college athletes, may choose to redshirt a year of playing time due to an injury, or other collegiate issues.
Since college athletes are only permitted to play a sport for 4 full years, they may decide to redshirt or skip one of those years, in order to continue to play another year.
Redshirting allows players one more year of eligibility for their sport.
Redshirting Kindergarten
Redshirting kindergarten follows the exact same process as redshirting a sports team. Some parents may decide their 5-year-old child is not ready to advance from preschool to kindergarten.
Of course, there may be many reasons for parents’ concerns. Among the biggest reason, and for me the most reasonable, is age and birthday. Since all kindergarten programs have a cut-off date for birthdays, children may greatly vary from close to 6 years to barely turning 5 years old.
Additionally, many schools have different cut-off dates. Years ago, schools used a calendar year. After several years some schools moved back the date by one month.
Public schools and private schools often have different cut-off dates, giving parents an option to move their children to a different school if they wanted to go by a different date.
All in all, the large age disparity for kindergartners can be very challenging for very young 5-year-olds. Therefore, parents may opt to delay sending them to kindergarten until they have the ability to focus longer in a classroom setting.
Reasons for Redshirting Kindergarten
As mentioned, age and birthdates are among the highest reasons for redshirting kindergarten.
With each state determining the overall age guideline, and individual schools deciding their own cut-off dates within those guidelines, parents are not always sure if their child is ready to start kindergarten. Therefore, parents may decide to redshirt or delay kindergarten.
Also, with some schools offering full-day kindergarten programs and others only offering half-day programs, parents’ decisions become even harder.
For example, if the cut-off date in your state is August 31st, and your child turns 5 years old in August or July, or maybe even June, some parents may not feel their child is ready to move to kindergarten.
However, some children born on August 30th may be ready and raring to attend kindergarten. So, age is a big factor, but not for all children.
Parents will need to be sure their child is capable of many skills before knowing if they are kindergarten ready.
Kindergarten Readiness
Some children who are of age to start kindergarten, may not be academically or socially ready for a kindergarten classroom.
Generally, if youngsters have gone to preschool at 3 or 4 years of age, their teachers will provide parents feedback regarding the readiness skills needed for advancing to kindergarten.
However, there are other determining factors that may be indicated if your child may not be ready to start kindergarten.
Parents, along with teachers should discuss the child’s social and emotional readiness. Since every child is different and unique, there may be many factors in deciding kindergarten readiness for some children.
For additional information regarding Significant Challenges Faced By School Students.
To find a complete Kindergarten Readiness Checklist.
Developmental Milestones for Kindergarten
Regardless of a child’s age or birth date, some children simply may not be developed enough to start kindergarten.
These Developmental Milestones can be helpful indicators for parents and teachers to get a better understanding of the readiness of their child for kindergarten.
Social and Emotional Development
- Works and plays well with others
- Leaves parents or guardians without crying
- Shares with others
- Is willing to take turns
- Shows patience
- Listens when others speak
- Follows and listens to directions
- Works without disturbing others
- Respects and responds to adults
- Adjusts to changes in routine
- Is willing to try new activities
Cognitive Abilities
- Identifies basic shapes and colors
- Counts alone to 20
- Identifies numbers 1 through 20
- Identifies letters
- Tells others first and last name
- Knows address
- Can answer a short story
- Be silly during play, dance, sing and pretend
Self-Help Abilities or Skills
- Can take care of bathroom needs independently
- Can use a tissue appropriately
- Can take off and put on own coat
- Can make needs known in the proper manner
Language Skills
- Can answer action questions properly
- Can respond to comprehension questions
- Can carry out a 3-step complex command
- Can regularly follow directions
- Can repeat instructions
Gross Motor Coordination
- Walks up and down stairs alternating feet
- Balances on one foot for four to eight seconds
- Is able to skip
- Jumps up and down with feet together for five seconds
- Hops on one foot
- Throw and catches a ball or bean bag
Fine Motor Coordination
- Can cut with scissors
- Colors with crayons neatly
- Draws pictures that are recognizable
- Can button and unbutton
- Can copy their name
- Can copy simple shapes
The Benefits of Redshirting Kindergarten
Some research shows that the benefits of redshirting kindergarten may be having additional time for children who may lack focus and self-control.
Since self-control is a skill that develops over time, a delayed kindergarten start may be very beneficial.
Children who struggle with self-control can be very challenging and disruptive in a class environment. Self-control includes emotional, movement, and impulse controls.
Self-control also includes sitting still and quiet, turn-taking, and waiting. Those complex skills can be difficult for many children, and especially difficult for children with other types of disorders, such as ADHD, autism, or family trauma.
Redshirting Kindergarten Athletes
The more controversial reasoning for redshirting kindergarten has to do with athletics. It seems that more and more parents feel that holding their children back a year and redshirting them, will give their child an athletic advantage throughout the years.
Meaning, by delaying kindergarten until age 6, their child will become bigger and stronger over the years than many of the other students.
And since size and strength truly matters in youth sports, redshirting kindergarten gives children a size advantage from the beginning of their school and sports careers.
Although experts agree on some reasons for holding back kindergartners, most do not agree that sports or athletics should be the motivating factor.
Pros & Cons of Redshirting Kindergarten
Research shows that redshirting kindergarten may give your child social or academic growth for a few years. However, studies have found that older children may become bored in higher levels of school.
While higher test scores may be an advantage in grade school, grade scores will balance out over time. Typically, by high school, most children’s grades and test scores are equal and tend to be on the same level as their younger or older classmates.
The National Bureau of Economic Research states that having an older classmate in a class with younger students may actually improve the performance of the younger classmates.
This study shows that having older or redshirted classmates is not a disadvantage nor is it harmful to students who are not redshirted.
Making Kindergarten Decisions on an Individual Basis
The decision to send children to kindergarten should be made on an individual basis. Since every child is completely different, parents and guardians will need to make their decisions with the understanding and knowledge they have for each child.
Using the information, they know about their child will help them make their decision.
If parents and guardians feel their child is socially and emotionally prepared to attend kindergarten, they should take the necessary steps to begin their formalized educational years.
TIPS, IDEAS & SUGGESTIONS FOR REDSHIRTING OR NOT REDSHIRTING KINDERGARTEN
- Redshirting or delaying kindergarten should be made on an individual basis, depending on the abilities of the child.
- Refrain from redshirting kindergarten simply for athletic advantages.
- Children being held back or delayed from attending kindergarten may feel uncomfortable and bored in a younger classroom setting.
- Be sure to find out the cut-off dates for entering kindergarten. Age and birthdates do make a difference. Cut-off dates may help parents decide if redshirting kindergarten is the best decision for them.
- Listen to your inner voice. If you feel your child is not emotionally or socially ready to go to kindergarten, delaying another year may be best for them.
- Ask advice from teachers and educational staff. Experienced teachers will share their feedback and offer their professional opinions.
