Glad I listened to myself - Real Mum story on MoM

7 Comments

It started at 3 year old kindy. The teacher started suggesting my child would benefit by repeating. Now our kindy offered 2 mornings a week but we could only afford one. I couldn’t see how just 3 hours a week would help, so I went ahead and put her in 4 year old. Almost immediately the pressure was on to get her to do 4 yr old again. At one point the teacher actually told me she was drastically behind the other kids. I suddenly clicked that nearly every other parent had done the latest fad of holding their kids back. My child was being compared to kids nearly a year older – of course she was going to seem behind! All the self doubts and worries vanished. I went ahead and enrolled her at primary school and sure enough she is absolutely flourishing. So before you accept advice about your child – listen to your own instinct first!

Posted by katelt, 27th February 2016

7 Comments

- - mom165744 said
  - 01 Mar 2016
    10:32 pm
I actually opted for my son to do a second year of 4 yr old kinder. His teachers said he’d do ok at school but due to being the youngest he may feel the pressure in later years. I am so glad I made that decision so I think it comes to your personal preference and your child. I know people who didn’t take the advice of kinder teachers and in the last term of prep they were asked to consider having their child repeat prep. It all comes down to how you want to go forward.

- - mom93821 said
  - 29 Feb 2016
    8:51 pm
Glad it worked out for you and your little one. Some children do need some extra time and help to settle into school.

- - mum4107 said
  - 29 Feb 2016
    5:34 am
Good on you for going with your instincts. I’m glad it’s all worked out

- - rachelvk said
  - 28 Feb 2016
    10:24 pm
Totally agree. It is very popular now to hold kids back just and it seems like it’s not always because of developmental issues. Good for you for standing your ground.

- - BellaB said
  - 28 Feb 2016
    8:35 pm
Absolutely, though sometimes professional advice can be useful.

- - mom56312 said
  - 28 Feb 2016
    1:37 pm
I totally agree with you, my son who is now in grade 2 had selctive mutism at 3 and 4 year old kinder. We were given the advise for him to repeat.. But lucky for us we were seeing a phychologist for some of my sons other issues, as she had gained his trust she asked him why he having issues at kinder his relpy to her was that, it was boing and he didnt like it or the teachers.. Well we went ahead and put him into school although he was still not talking much, he intantly became a happier kid and fitted in with the others. With in months his seletive mutism was no more..

- - mom165081 said
  - 27 Feb 2016
    11:18 pm
At this age a year is a big deal developmentally. You know your child best – good on you for doing this. She will never look back!