More on Redshirting

Adrienne Martini — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:00:00 GMT

You'd think that redshirting -- the practice of holding your five-year old back for a year before he/she starts kindergarten -- wouldn't be a topic that was full of controversy. You'd be wrong, of course, because it's impossible to talk about anything in the American education system without ticking someone off.

My own post gathered quite a few comments, which surprised me. I hadn't realized that there were that many people who cared about the practice. While I have some IRL friends who've struggled with the decision, I had no idea that it cut such a wide swath.

For those who'd like to read smart, illuminating, data-rich posts about redshirting, look no further than Sara Mead's mini-essays on the most recent studies. It's a redshirting round-up for your reading pleasure.

So is redshirting just a fad for the affluent? A sign that boys are in crisis? Or does it cut deeper?

Illo credit: Robert Neubecker

They Say: Delaying Kindergarten For One Hurts Us All

Adrienne Martini — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:30:00 GMT

Soon, school will start again. And, soon, a small legion of 5-year olds will watch their also 5-year old friends start kindergarten without them. While there may be a few minutes of angst by the 5-year old who isn't walking through the schoolhouse doors, no harm will have been done. Right?

Maybe not, according to this Slate.com piece by Emily Bazelon. The practice of redshirting a kid is becoming as controversial as the practice of not vaccinating a kid. Yes, the individual kid may benefit -- although, in the case of delayed kindergarten, the jury is still out -- but the community as a whole may suffer.

When you couple this with the trend toward academic kindergartens, where kids do more than play and nap, the potential 18-month age range seems to have a negative impact on the younger kids. But should you as a parent care if other kids are harmed as long as your older kid gets what he needs?

It's a tough question to answer, no matter whichside of the debate you are on.

Illo credit: Robert Neubecker

Strollerderby : delayed kindergarten

More on Redshirting

They Say: Delaying Kindergarten For One Hurts Us All