When To Send Your Child To Kindergarten: A Parent’s Guide

One of the most exciting milestones in your young child’s life is preparing him or her for the transition to kindergarten. Full-time kindergarten is a really big deal, so you want to make the transition as smooth as possible for your child.

It’s perfectly normal for parents to start thinking about kindergarten well before their children officially reach kindergarten age. To start, weigh out all of your options, tour several schools in your area, ask a lot of questions, and consider when it’s best to enroll your child before making such an important decision.

While the official cutoff date varies by state, most states require children to be at least 5-years-old between August and October of the enrollment year. For example, states like Maryland and Texas have cutoff dates in early September, whereas states like Colorado and New Jersey have cutoff dates in October.

In fact, studies have even shown that starting kindergarten at age 7 increases your child’s chances of having better self-control and decreases his or her chances of having hyperactivity and inattention problems in the classroom. Of course, there are both pros and cons of redshirting, so it’s a decision you’ll have to consider thoroughly.

To get you started, you’ll want to determine whether your child is ready for kindergarten before they hit kindergarten age by reviewing the signs of school readiness. For example, whether or not your child able to:

• Find interest in new things
• Take turns
• Follow instructions
• Communicate their emotions
• Pay attention

And even if he or she is ready to start kindergarten, there alternative educational options to consider.

One of the most popular alternative options is a Montessori education. Montessori education focuses on the whole child, including their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development.

In a kindergarten classroom, all children work at the same pace, as a whole class on the same assignment, at the same time, and all based on a set curriculum. Whereas in a Montessori classroom, children work at their own pace, work individually or in small groups, are guided by weekly work plans, and use specially designed manipulatives for project-based learning which is often created around their personal interests.

Montessori education is student-led, and it takes a lot of the pressures off of kindergarten-age children who may struggle with the time constraints you see in a traditional kindergarten classroom.

For parents in the McKinney, Texas area, Applebee Montessori Academy is a must-see for Montessori education. At Applebee, independence and intrinsic motivation are at the forefront of everything we do. Children enrolled in Applebee build practical life, math, and language skills all while enjoying sensory and cultural activities.

Your child deserves the best education, so schedule your personal tour today!

Director