Delaying Kindergarten Entry due to Age

My 3-year-old son is currently in preschool. He will be 4 in a few weeks, so he will make the cutoff for kindergarten next year and begin attending when he’s still 4. I’m afraid that he’ll not be emotionally or physically ready for a full day of school. After 2 1/2 hours of preschool, he’s exhausted and cranky. If he isn’t ready, am I allowed to delay his entrance into kindergarten? Would I have to send him to first grade the following year if I don’t send him to kindergarten?
I know there is a lot of research that supports holding children back a year if they’ll be the youngest in their class. My son will be ready academically, but I’m not sure that is enough. He’s still having a tough time adjusting to my leaving him at preschool. — Concerned Mom
Answer: School-attendance laws vary. In many states, it is not necessary to send a child to kindergarten. Instead, he or she must be enrolled in school by a certain age. Check out the laws in your state at your local school district.
Generally speaking, children whose entrance to kindergarten has been delayed by their parents are enrolled in kindergarten — not first grade. Young children change so rapidly. It is impossible to say whether your child will truly be ready for kindergarten next year or not. You have a lot of time left to make the decision about the appropriate time to enroll your child in kindergarten. Get information now about all your options. Then make your decision next summer based on how well your son is handling preschool at the end of the year.