Too Young for Kindergarten?

My son will start kindergarten this September even though he will not turn 5 until a month later. What is your opinion of this? Is he too young to start school? He has been going to preschool for the past two years and loves it. I just don't want to make the biggest mistake without all the facts. -- Want Answers
Answer: Almost every research study on the age of entry to school concludes that the youngest children in kindergarten classes usually do not do as well as the oldest children. There is disagreement about how long the effects of being youngest last. Many researchers feel that by third grade the differences due to age disappear. On the other hand, other researchers found that some slight academic difficulties continue throughout the elementary years.
When children are ready for kindergarten, their first encounter with school is likely to lead to future success in school. Children who are only marginally ready may or may not be able to catch up with their readier classmates before the start of first grade.
The issue for you is readiness more than age. You may find it helpful to consult with your child's preschool teacher, pediatrician and others who know the child well in order to evaluate his readiness. In the end, your own opinion is the most important, because you are the one who knows your child best. If you have very strong doubts about your child's readiness for a particular kindergarten program, the child probably is not ready.
Remember this, just because statistics seem to support older children doing better in kindergarten, many younger children are extremely successful in school.