The section I found relevent this week was the newsroom. There are a few articles on the push for the kindergarten age to be pushed back in many states. This is a current issue that is very controversial in Michigan, and also something that is particularly close to home for me. I have a three year old who has an October birthday. Currently a bill is in the Michigan House of Representatives that would move the age back from December 1st to September 1st. As an early childhood educator I realize that many children would benefit from the extra year to mature, but I have also read the research that contradicts this idea. As a parent I know my child, and with her current development I believe she will be ready after two years of preschool to go to kindergarten in the fall of 2013. The articles have evidence for both sides of the argument from not only early childhood professionals, but also from economists. As I read the briefs for the Michigan bill I can't help but see the economic benefit for the state as the primary reason for the age change. The state will save hundreds of thousands of dollars by not having to pay for those children with September 2 to November 30 birthdays per pupil funds. It was interesting to see how similiar movements were being recieved in different states, and see the research from different professionals that looked at all of the pros and cons.
http://naeyc.org/content/news-room
Hi Amber,
ReplyDeleteCalifornia has just started to do the change when children can start Kindergarten. Next Fall it will be that children will need to be 5 by November 1 in order to enroll in Kindergarten and then the following year it is October 1 and then by 2014 it will be September 1. it seems to be a bit confusing because the Governor has decided that their is not enough funding for the transitional Kindergarten program so many families who were looking for a break in having to pay for childcare/preschool will have to do so for another year in some districts. I wish we could have the funding for a preschool for all program so that families would not have to worry about money and just focus on how to support their child's learning and development.
Hi
ReplyDeleteI live in New York, and children who turn five by December, 5 can start enroll in kindergarten. I have not heard that they are changing the age yet. Over the years I have sen some children that are ready and others who are not. But I think that all children can benefit from preschool.
Thanks for sharing
Amber,
ReplyDeleteI have never really understood the intense focus on a child's age for Kindergarten enrollment. But it seems that the older a child is, the more prepared he will be UNLESS he has participated in a quality early learning program prior. So to put it cynically the ones who do attend preschool are suffering for those who don't. One the other hand, if there was access for all children to attend preschool, age would not be such a huge factor.
I live in Indiana and the cut off to turn 5 is August 1st. Some children who are academically ready to enter Kindergarten are not always socially or emotionally ready. I agree that children that have been in preschool do seem to be more ready to go than children that have not. Does your school system allow a child that is ready to enter early if they do not make the cut off? Our school district does not allow this and I was wondering if there are any that do. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHi Amber,
ReplyDeleteMy youngest son' s birthday is September 30th and could not attend Kindergatern until the following year. Along with the preschool he attended with me and the extra things we did at home, he was where if not exceeded where he needed to be. If would be interesting to find out exactly why they have a age for Kindergarten enrollment, especially where there is limitations for enrollment at Child Development programs in the school system and Head Start.