Should Your Summer Baby Wait Another Year for Kindergarten?

The Big Kindergarten Question: To Redshirt or Not to Redshirt Your Child?

Hey BUBS parents! Today we're tackling that question that keeps many of us with summer babies up at night: "Should I hold my child back a year before starting kindergarten?" This practice, known as kindergarten redshirting (I just discovered this term), is a decision that impacts your child's educational journey for years to come.

First, let me share a little personal story. With my summer-born son was approaching kindergarten age, my wife and I have been going back and forth about holding him back. He is bright and quite social, but physically small for his age, and we worry about him being nearly a full year younger than some classmates. 

Sound familiar? 

With so many factors to consider - from academic readiness to social-emotional development - this decision can feel overwhelming for parents. Fortunately, the Hello BUBS community has lots of wisdom to share on this topic from parents who've already navigated this challenging decision.

What Exactly Is "Academic Redshirting" for Kindergarten?

If you're not familiar with the term, "academic redshirting" is when parents deliberately delay their child's entry into kindergarten by a year. The name comes from college sports, where coaches sometimes delay athletes' participation until they're more developed physically.

These days, between 4-5.5% of parents choose to delay kindergarten for their kids, though that number can be much higher in certain communities. It's particularly common for boys with late summer or early fall birthdays who would be the youngest in their class.

The Benefits of Giving Your Child That Extra Year Before Kindergarten

Many parents who've chosen to redshirt will tell you it was one of the best decisions they ever made. Here's why:

More time for emotional development: Let's be honest, the ability to sit still, follow directions, and manage big feelings is HUGE in kindergarten success. That extra year can make a world of difference in self-regulation skills.

Social confidence: An older child might have more social tools to make friends, stand up for themselves, and navigate classroom dynamics. Many parents report their "redshirted" kids became natural leaders in their class.

Academic readiness without pressure: Today's kindergarten curriculum is WAY more academic than what we experienced as kids. That additional year gives your child time to build pre-reading and early math skills at a relaxed pace.

Less likelihood of needing special services: Research shows kids who are older relative to their classmates are less likely to need special education services and more likely to be identified for gifted programs.

Sports advantage: While this shouldn't be the primary motivation, it's worth noting that being older and more physically developed can give kids an edge in youth sports programs.

Potential Downsides to Kindergarten Redshirting

Before you decide that redshirting is definitely the way to go, consider these potential drawbacks:

The financial reality check: Let's get real - not every family can afford another year of childcare or preschool costs. This isn't a small consideration when quality childcare can cost as much as college tuition in some areas. Connect with other Hello BUBS parents to explore affordable preschool options if you're considering this route.

Delayed identification of learning needs: If your child does have learning differences or developmental delays, delaying kindergarten might actually postpone proper identification and intervention. School systems have resources for identifying and supporting these needs that many preschools don't.

Potential boredom or behavior issues: Some redshirted kids end up being so advanced compared to peers that they get bored and act out. The very advantages you were hoping for can sometimes backfire.

The long-term question marks: Some studies suggest redshirted kids might actually be less motivated in high school. And remember, they'll also finish school and enter the workforce a year later.

Social awkwardness: Being significantly older than classmates can sometimes make a child feel out of place, especially as they approach puberty earlier than peers.

Making This Very Personal Decision About School Readiness

Here's the thing, parents: no blog post (even this one 😉) can tell you what's right for YOUR child. But here are some questions that we consider to help decide whether our summer birthday child will be ready for kindergarten:

Does my child tend to play better with older kids, younger kids, or same-age peers?

How are their self-help skills like using the bathroom independently, opening lunch containers, and putting on a jacket?

How do they handle frustration and separation from parents?

What's the kindergarten program like at the school? Highly academic or more play-based?

For boys especially: How is their attention span and ability to sit still compared to other kids their age?

Do they already show signs of needing any special services that school could provide?

Gender Differences in Kindergarten Readiness

Research consistently shows that girls tend to be more kindergarten-ready than boys of the same age. This is mostly about social-emotional development rather than intelligence. Boys often benefit more from redshirting than girls do, especially when it comes to handling frustration and developing focus.

Our Kindergarten Decision: Still in Progress

In our case, we're still weighing this important decision for our son. The research phase has been eye-opening so far. We recently visited a kindergarten class at our local school. The difference in expectations was striking, kindergartners were already writing sentences and reading simple books, while many in his preschool class are still mastering letter recognition.

What's making our decision especially difficult is that we have friends with similar experiences but different outcomes. One mom told me redshirting was perfect for her son, while another found that her daughter with a summer birthday thrived when she went to kindergarten "on time" because of her particular temperament and readiness. That's the point: each child needs their own approach!

Stay tuned for an update on what we ultimately decide. 

Your Turn to Share Your Kindergarten Redshirting Experience!

Parents in the Hello BUBS community - we'd love to hear about your experiences! Did you redshirt your child? Are you glad you did or wish you hadn't? Drop a comment below to help other parents who might be in the middle of making this tough decision about when to start kindergarten.

Remember, whatever you decide, you know your child best. Trust your instincts, gather information, and then make the choice that feels right for your unique little human.

Hello BUBS is a trusted P2P marketplace app where parents can safely buy, sell, and trade children's items. Connect with local parents for school supplies, clothes, and valuable insights on educational decisions! Sign up for Hello BUBS today, and be ready for launch to find great deals on kids' items and join our supportive parenting community.