by Wendy Ware

Created on: May 19, 2008

Deciding whether your child should repeat a grade level is extremely difficult and many factors need to be considered. My daughter repeated kindergarten and it was a good decision and I have never regretted it. First of all, has your child made sufficient academic process to progress to the next grade and be successful? When is your child's birthday? Often if they are one of the youngest in the class maturity level plays a big role, especially if you are considering holding back a child that is in kindergarten or first or second grade.

Have many discussions with your child's teacher. If the teacher thinks holding your child back is the best course of action often it is. Most teachers have your child's best interests at heart. Go to your child's classroom to observe how your child does socially as well as academically. Younger children learn and progress at very different rates and even the brightest children often need a little extra time to grow and mature and learn. Do not feel bad if you decide to make the decision to hold your child back a grade level. Often you are doing them a disservice to progress them to the next grade level, especially if they continue a struggle. Parents worry a lot more about the stigma attached to this than the children do. Finding support with other parents who have done this helps as well. Most children who have repeated a grade are grateful as adults that this decision was made. If your child is teased at school, just support and encourage your child and let then know how special and smart they are. Let them know that all kids learn differently. Children are amazingly resillient, optimistic creatures.

When my daughter entered kindergarten she struggled greatly. She has many learning disabilities. She could not write her name and could not grasp the basic concepts of letters or numbers. At five she was performing and testing at the level of a two year old. I transferred her to a full day special education kindergarten program. She was held back and repeated kindergarten. When she was 6 she learned to write her name and it was fantastic and shortly after that she learned how to read. She is now in the sixth grade and still struggles, but she is in all regular education classes and on the honor roll. Just believe in your child, love and support and encourage your child, and anything is possible.

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