Hello, my kid also a "small" boy. He was born in late Dec 2005. I let him go to K1 when he's 2.9 years old. Nowadays, he's studying K2 at 3.9 years old.
In my past experience, decisions are depend on the kid's development. When my kid at K1, I discussed with his teachers frequently to understand his abilities on studying and communications with others, etc. So that I decided he should repeated K1 or promoted to K2.
Actually, you should decide by yourself. No formula that we can follow, and you should work out the pro & con when you let your kid to be a "small" / "Big" kid! Understand more from your kid before your make a decision is my suggestion.
Be a "Small" kid:
- will they feel hard in studying when compare with his classmates?
Be a "Big" kid:
- will be one day, he/she will ask you: why I am the biggest one in my class? In addition, in case, he/she needs to repeat in primary/secondary stages, they will bigger than his/her classmates for 2 years. Will they feel happy in his/her heart....
I totally understand your concerns as I also faced with same problems before.
Actually rightnow, the main point is I want my kid to be a "big baby" but my husband wants her to be a "small baby". In my point of view, it's difficult to have a compromise.
In practice, most traditional and famous kindergartens prefer big kids. Most big kids excel in class in their both their physical, language and self management skills etc. Normally, they can gain more confidence in their school.
That why I cannot provide the suggestion to you... as you and your husband should understand your kid's abilities. Both of you may discuss and list out the pro & con, so that the answer will be come out!
BTW, I trust that if a kindergarten which is run by heart not only facing with $$$, no matter the baby is big or small, they should accept, they should treat them in fair situation. In addition, I don't think a baby born on 1 Jan is smarter than 31 Dec. (All depends on the baby's capabilities, parents & teachers guidances.)
My son was borned in Nov 2006. I let him to be the "small boy" in K1 and he just started K1 in Sep this year. He went to the same school in K1 and N1. When he finished N1, I discussed with his N1 teachers and ask if he is OK/ready for K1. According to my observation and comments from his teachers, I let him to study K1.
That is true that it depends on the bb's capabilities and the teachers guidances. Since the kindergarten that I choose for him is not a harsh one which I know there are some kinders teaching quite alot of languages (2 days english and 2 days mandarin) even at K1 and I suppose it is to intensive for a 2-3 years old kid, particularly my son is a "small boy" in class. If your son is now doing N1, I suggest you can discuss your concern with his teachers. Regarding K1, check out the teaching methods and culture of the kinders that you want your son to attend...I suggest you choose a kinders which are more focus on playing games while learning at the same time, instead of those traditional or some famous kinders which prefers "bigs kids"...
I think the advice from other parents are very good -- that you and your husband need to make the decision based on the real needs of your daughter.
Is she physically small? Is she shy and intravert? Or is she talkative and maybe extravert? Is she more mature than her age and is not scared of strangers? All these can make a difference.
Let me give you a sample of myself and my little brother: both of us were born in January (2 yrs apart), and I went to P1 when I was 6 yrs & 8 mths -- reflecting on my own feelings, I do think all the time I was in schools (primary & secondary & even college) I felt quite good being a little bit younger than my friends, but doing better than most of them. Being small did not seem to be a disadvantage to me at all (I guess especially as a girl).
However, being a "big boy" was NOT a disadvantage to my brother either. My brother went to school a little late (when he was 7 yrs & 8 mths. My parents wanted him to play freely longer I believe), but as a boy, bigger, stronger than the other boys, he was all the time (from P1 to P6, from F1 to university) a student leader, and he is now a very successful movie director and business manager, and obviously being a "big boy" had helped him greatly in his early years to be confident, be the "boss", even be more "superior" than most of other boys and girls.
Of course, that's only my story, and everyone has his or her own personality and developing direction, and we cannot expect all the "small girl/boy" to feel good about being smaller; or all the "big boy/girl" more confident and stonger. It would really depend on you and your husband's observations of your child to make the final decision. (I guess boys and girls can be different)
Anyway, try to let her start a little early, and then if it's not so good, maybe you could take her back, to stop or repeat a year? Those might be alternatives.
遊客 發表於 2009-10-13 13:53
