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12stars
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| Posted: May 13 2009 at 7:22pm | IP Logged
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I am very curious, I know I am jumping ahead of myself here. But I would like to know....because I think I if I wait to put my DS in K according to the Dec 2 cut off for our state. He won't start until 2012 and he will be turning 6. His B-day is April 28.
He just turned 3 and I was thinking of starting some preschool with him, this coming year. He loves books and painting, and enjoys being included.
I was asking because we do use a charter, that alllows us to buy the curriculum of our choice and I supplement with religion. But I think i am going to have start off being independent with him.
I would love to know what anyone recommends.
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Claudia in Southern California
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Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
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Jody
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| Posted: May 13 2009 at 10:21pm | IP Logged
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We start early too. My toddlers and pre-schoolers always want to be involved and "doing school" with their older brothers and sisters.
So, I made a bunch of hands-on, montessori type learning activities that cover lots of subject areas. I put them each in a ziploc baggie and keep them in a bin. When my preschooler wants to do some math activity or language arts activity etc. we just pull out the baggie and we are all set. They love to be included and I love the fact that they are really learning. If you would like to know how to make these yourself check out my book Montessori on a shoestring
My almost 3 year old absolutely loves doing her "school" with the other kids. So my recommendation is if your child is interested then yes encourage his love for learning and begin!
Jody
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Jody,
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Sarah M
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| Posted: May 14 2009 at 10:17am | IP Logged
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My favorite resource is Kindergarten with Your 3-6 Year Old by Donna Simmons. No time to write more this morning, but I'll be back to weigh in later.
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Lara Sauer
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| Posted: May 14 2009 at 1:58pm | IP Logged
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I start kindergarten as late as possible. It is my belief that although a child might be "ready" to start kindergarten early...I am not convinced that they are ready to start "adult" life early. I knew way too many people who started college at 17 and failed out.
Also, since I register my kids with the state of VA, I see no point in registering them as young kindergartners. As a homeschooler, they have no true numeric grade level...but they do have to show proof of progress for their age group...so I make it easier for them by making them one of the oldest of that peer group, rather than one of the youngest.
Just my .02.
Peace.
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You can take the girl out of Wisconsin, but you can't take the Wisconsin out of the girl!
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Willa
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| Posted: May 14 2009 at 2:02pm | IP Logged
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I had a similar situation with my son who turned 6 on December 4. He is registered as a Kindergartener; he is doing first grade work but we do it in a "better late than early" format -- he taught himself to read and has learned first grade math by games and that sort of thing.
Homeschooling allows for plenty of time so I don't see the point of officially rushing things. Putting them in a lower "official" year but letting them do what they're capable of gives them flexibility which might be important in the later years.
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Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: May 14 2009 at 3:01pm | IP Logged
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So, my oldest is of the age that he is required to start K in our state (he'll be 5 in June), and I had assumed I would register him. All I'm required to do is take attendance for truancy records; so, I figure that's easy enough, no pressure re performance.
I like your thoughts, Willa (as usual). I ccould file for an extension on K until next year, which would seem to make sense re your suggestion, but, he won't be required to be tested in our current state. So, being tested among his peers isn't a legal issue unless we move.
My birthday was Dec. 4th as well! And I turned 6 while in Kindergarten. This would have ds turning 6 right after the typical school year ends.
I guess most people are all for keeping it legal, huh? That's my first inclination, but then, some part of me would love to keep them out of the system all together  I just worry about if there were ever an issue; so, I won't likely do anything illegal. 
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
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[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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sewcrazy
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Here in my school district, you are encouraged to wait until boys are nearly 6 before putting them in kindergarten. The belief is that girls mature faster, and by junior high, while girls might be ready for the changes and pressures of high school, boys really aren't, so give them as much of an advantage as possible.
Since that is "official" policy, I never call my kids "kindergarteners" until they are 6!
We purchased a kindergarten program for my youngest, five in Aug, as I am guilty of putting him off more than I ought, and have been going through it at 1/2 speed. He loves having his own lesson plan, and it helps keep me accountable to spending one on one time with him.
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LeeAnn
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12stars
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| Posted: May 15 2009 at 1:44am | IP Logged
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Thank you Ladies for all your comments.
I definitely think that although he is interested in books I will just keep things easy for him. I am still learning to be a mom of boys after so many girls.
I was just really wondering because as I said he won't be able to attend school here till 2012-2013 I just felt that was too faraway.
I love your book Jody, hopefully my husband starts working and I will put a order in 
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Claudia in Southern California
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KauaiCatholic
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| Posted: May 15 2009 at 3:17am | IP Logged
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I'm late to this discussion, but wanted to share my experience. in this wacky state, the cutoff date is actually Dec. 31, which means my poor little guy could have been shipped off to all-day kindergarten at age 4!  they have since amended that so kids whose birthdays fall between Aug 2-Dec. 31 can go to "junior kindergarten" if their parents chose. (go figure.)
we waited a year and skipped the kindergarten paperwork since that's an option for HSers, and enrolled him as a first-grader this past year, even though his PS peers were past him. but I called the first half of the year "kinder/first," mostly to make myself more relaxed about the fact that he wasn't reading yet. by the second part of the year, "first grade" felt more appropriate, and after another summer session of first grade, I think we'll be ready for second grade this fall. poor kid: when well-meaning adults ask him what grade he's in, he's learned to answer "I'm homeschooled" and let me try to explain.
(adding to their confusion is the fact that he's only 7 but the size of most 4th graders, and adding to MY confusion is the fact that his little sister is doing kindergarten work at age 3. so I find myself juggling startlingly similar curriculum for kids whose birthdays are almost 4 years apart! )
and THEN I found out the school district never got our paperwork, so he's not officially anything! we could start all over again, and put them both in the same grade! what the heck! (OK, I'm kidding. but it WOULD make the paperwork easier ...)
anyway, I guess I just wanted to say: do what feels right to you and yours. and thank you, other moms, for sharing your wisdom! it is much appreciated by us newbies (especially this floundering one).
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 Viviane
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Nedra in So. CA
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12stars
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| Posted: May 15 2009 at 2:27pm | IP Logged
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Nedra in So. CA wrote:
We live in CA also. I administrate a PSP and I encourage my families to wait to enroll, "formally" start, until they are 6 if possible. Kindergarten enrollment is not mandatory. You may legally enroll (or file your affidavit if you file independently) your children as 6 year old 1st graders. If you enroll as a 6 yr. old 1st grader then you no longer have to have the entering school health screening. The law is strange...if you enroll that same 6 yr. old as a Kindergartener you must have the health screening.
My plan is to do light K when my twins are 5 and enroll them in 1st grade when they are 6 (their birthday is July 21st). |
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This is a good idea and it is true I had forgotten about that.
I am going to enroll him at 6 and in 1st, even if it a ways off. I was just hesitant about it all. That is my nature my DD is entering 8th grade and I am already thinking about high school and college.
Another reason why I wanted to start my DS earlier ( I think) was because my younget DS is 1 and I in my overthinking things did not want to do what my husband said to do and put them both together in Kinder at the same time. I want my oldest DS to know he is older and be in a grade ahead of his brother. But still be able to join most of their school work together.
My oldest was born in 06 and the youngest was born in 07. My husband thinks this would be a grand idea. Me not so much
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Claudia in Southern California
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Mom to DD 14, DD 10, DD 7, DS 4, DS 2, 1 in heaven, and now due 5/11.
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violingirl
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I'm not really sure what to do for my boys. My oldest will be 4 in October but because of state cut-off wouldn't go to kindergarten until he turned 6 in 2011. We only have mandatory attendance from ages 7-16 in this state, and from what I understand we're required to keep track of hours but are not required to report it anywhere. I need to talk with a few friends who have been at this awhile and do a little more research into the state requirements.
We'll probably consider him to be a kindergartener the school year he turns 5, though I like the idea of him being the oldest of his grade year. My inlaws think I'm holding him back by not having really structured work time with him already, but I think it's important that he is able to play all day if he likes right now. We do have Montessori shelves and other learning materials, but it's not a very scheduled thing right now.
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guitarnan
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We started dd early (4 1/2) but that was because she was teaching herself to read. I had planned to wait until the "legal" age at our overseas base, but it seemed silly once she was clearly interested in learning. We kept it easy and fun...
I think every child is different, and at such a young age it's always best to take it at that child's pace. That's one of the huge blessings of homeschooling!
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JodieLyn
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For official records.. as late as legally possible
for anything else.. whenever the child is ready.. starting very small and slowly working up. Much of what they need to learn can be done while working and playing with you. 
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Jody
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| Posted: May 18 2009 at 2:56pm | IP Logged
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12stars wrote:
I love your book Jody, hopefully my husband starts working and I will put a order in |
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Thanks Claudia!!! 
Jody
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Jody,
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: At what age do you start Kindergarten?
