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Many parents struggle with the decision of when to send their children to kindergarten. The typical age of most kindergarteners ranges from 4 to 6 years old, however the "best" age for your child depends on their specific individual needs and development.

As with many decisions in life, there is no definitive "right" or "wrong" answer to this question. It is up to you as a parent to try to assess what would be most beneficial for your child.

As a caring parent, you obviously want your child to have the best education possible and you want to provide them with every possible opportunity for success. However, pushing your son or daughter into a situation that they aren't sufficiently equipped for can ultimately result in poor performance and unnecessary emotional stress. Resist the urge to push them just because you want them to be "ahead of the pack". While the decision of when to send your child to kindergarten is an important decision, it will not determine whether he or she eventually attends an Ivy League university or a community college.

Of course, there are always some areas in which your child will struggle more than others. Just because they are lacking in one area doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't ready you need to take into account the whole picture.

Although you know your child best, it doesn't hurt to ask for other's opinions when making this important parenting decision. Consider asking your child's preschool teacher or child-care provider to assess whether or not they feel your child is intellectually and socially prepared to enter kindergarten. While they also have a part in caring for your child, they play a different role in his/her life and may have concerns or insight that you wouldn't have considered.

However, when asking for other's assessments, it is important that you don't take it personally if someone suggests that your child isn't ready. They only have his/her best interests at heart. In such situations, it is natural to want to defend your child's attributes as well as your parenting skills, but try not to take offense. Also, throughout the assessment process make sure that your would-be student doesn't feel as if they are being judged or found inadequate.

Every child develops at their own pace, which is especially apparent at such a young age when children are learning and growing so rapidly. When children are young, a few months can make all the difference in the world when it comes to being emotionally and intellectually prepared.

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