Delaying kindergarten

My little girl starts preschool this week. It’s the start of a whole new world for her and a new relationship with my daughter.

Until now, she’s done very little without my constant supervision, but now she’ll be off meeting new people, hearing new things and learning about life without my stamp of approval on each thought and action. It’s the beginning of her independent life without me.

Nicole turned 3 last spring, so there was never any question in my mind that this was the right time to start her in preschool. She’ll do two years and then move on to kindergarten when she’s 5.

But when to start kids in preschool and in kindergarten isn’t such an easy answer for everyone. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more and more families are holding their kids back from starting kindergarten so they won’t be the youngest or the smallest kid in class.

The statistics also show that boys are more likely to be held back than girls, along with white children and children in high-income families. Minority parents are more concerned about their child’s preparation for formal schooling, but are less likely to hold their kids back because private child care is too expensive.

I think it’s great that parents are making their own choices when it comes to their child’s education, but it has to be a daunting choice to make for your child. Is it best to hold them back in hopes of an academic boost? Or is it best to just enroll as soon as the school says you can?

Even for preschool, several parents have asked me why I opted to do preschool at age 3. In all honesty, it never occurred to me not to because I thought that was just the way you did it. It didn’t occur to me that I had a choice on when my child’s schooling years officially started.

So what do you think – Is there a magic age when children should start preschool or kindergarten? What are the signs that your child is ready for these programs, or that he or she would benefit from being held back?