More children are starting kindergarten later, according to recent research on voluntary delaying of kindergarten, also called academic "redshirting."
According to recent data published in the Journal of Economic Perspectives, 96 percent of 6-year-olds were enrolled in first grade 40 years ago. In comparison, only 84 percent of 6-year-olds were enrolled in first grade at the time the data was published, in 2008.
Where were those 6-year-olds who were not enrolled in first grade? They were in kindergarten instead. Some of the shift was due to states pushing back cut-off dates earlier in the year, but some was also due to parents deciding to keep their children out of school for a year to prevent them from being the youngest kids in class, trying to keep up with the increasingly rigorous academic demands of kindergarten.
But while some research shows that delaying kindergarten could give kids a boost by helping them become more developmentally and physically ready for kindergarten and that these benefits may last into adulthood, other studies show that redshirting simply gives kids a temporary boost because they are a year older, and has no lasting benefits.
Parents who have decided to delay kindergarten or who are considering academic redshirting for their child should research all the data and consult teachers, administrators, and other parents before making a decision that's right for the unique needs of their own child. Trend or not, academic redshirting may be right for some kids but not necessary for others. As with so many things in parenting, few things can replace mom or dad's gut instincts.
Related Articles: