Kindergarten... Starting early?!

[emsplace]

My son is starting Kindergarten at 4. He'll be five in late October. But he is a) mature for his age (though I don't always see it... I'm told it). b) tall/big for his age, and c) advanced and been labeled as gifted... though we don't share that with him. 
All of his friends are almost 6... and I think it is a testament to his maturity. So part of me is excited for him. He's so ready for kindergarten.  The problem is, he has to go to private school this year, and then "test" into first grade. So, all his neighborhood pals are going to public school kindergarten. AND... we are going to have to figure out what is on this test to make sure he can go to 1st Grade with them next year.
So anyway.. I am sure there are teachers here. And moms with varying opinions... I won't tell you all how gifted he is, because frankly I've come across boards where people find it offensive (one lady in particular who later found out her children were delayed, had adverse reactions to anyone who called their children smart). 
But what do you think about early kindergarten?

just wondering...

[michellesamom]

I'm a teacher (I actually teach gifted kids and am a former gifted kid myself) and I intend to send my daughter to kindergarten at 4 (which is standard here in Canada).
I would hesitate to put him in grade one early though... I know here there are several options for gifted kids. Is there anything where you live where he could be with kids his own age?
Some of my concerns would be:
1. Unless he's really tall, he may be the smallest kid in the class.
2. Gifted kids are outsiders anyway, the age gap might make him more so.
3. Social is just as important as academic (especially growing up) and he may find it awkward to miss out on things like getting his license with his friends, dating (it will be hard to find a girl in his class who will date a boy 2 years younger... it makes a difference in high school), he will be going through puberty way later than his friends and may be left out of a lot of things.

I had a friend who was two years younger than the rest of us in high school... she was very shy and felt out of place a lot of the time as a result.

Whatever you choose, best of luck! If you want to chat further, message me!

[emsplace]

Thanks...
But here there is kindergarten, then first. Probably most of the children will be 10 months older than him always, but that is about it. It wouldn't be more than a year.
he's almost five and he's 45+ inches tall. He is losing weight now that he is off steroids, but wears a size 6-8 depending on the maker and a 1 in shoes (European size 29 or 30). I don't have them in front of me. He will never be smaller. The boy across the street will turn six in January and we give them Christopher's clothes.
And he hangs with mostly 6 year olds... and when I say hangs... I mean, they are on par maturity wise, him even more so in some cases. It's amazing.
We went to the ENT the other day about his tonsils/lump. She said, "Christopher do you know why you are here?" He said, "about my tonsils. But if I have to have another catscan I'm choosing strawberry gas, that bubble gum was a bad choice!" She was amazed and actually explained things to him because he was asking questions. She showed him in the book... and he was "reading" the Otolaryngology (sp) and asking her questions about the pictures and such and about his tonsils, etc...   She just kept looking at me.
We shall see how this year goes. I am hopeful that he continues to grow in maturity and knowledge. I think it is an incredible thing to watch.
I may call on you from time to time. Thanks for the support.
emily

[Audrey]

I know I'm female. My birthday is in October. So I too began kindergarten when I was only 4. The only time it was a bummer was when everyone else got their licenses. I so wanted mine. Other than that, for me, being a girl, I was fine all through school.

[michellesamom]

Thanks...
But here there is kindergarten, then first. Probably most of the children will be 10 months older than him always, but that is about it. It wouldn't be more than a year.
he's almost five and he's 45+ inches tall. He is losing weight now that he is off steroids, but wears a size 6-8 depending on the maker and a 1 in shoes (European size 29 or 30). I don't have them in front of me. He will never be smaller. The boy across the street will turn six in January and we give them Christopher's clothes.
And he hangs with mostly 6 year olds... and when I say hangs... I mean, they are on par maturity wise, him even more so in some cases. It's amazing.
We went to the ENT the other day about his tonsils/lump. She said, "Christopher do you know why you are here?" He said, "about my tonsils. But if I have to have another catscan I'm choosing strawberry gas, that bubble gum was a bad choice!" She was amazed and actually explained things to him because he was asking questions. She showed him in the book... and he was "reading" the Otolaryngology (sp) and asking her questions about the pictures and such and about his tonsils, etc...   She just kept looking at me.
We shall see how this year goes. I am hopeful that he continues to grow in maturity and knowledge. I think it is an incredible thing to watch.
I may call on you from time to time. Thanks for the support.
emily

Oh that's not much of an age gap at all!
I'm sorry, I misread and thought he would be 2 years younger (starting grade one with six year olds at age 4). I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[emsplace]

Me too Audrey. My birthday is in October and I started at 4.
I never was aware of it.. I wasn't allowed to drive till 18 anyway. hahaha

Thanks Michellesamom... I feel better.
em

[Aimee]

My mom is a kgn teacher and wouldn't suggest starting a 4 yr old, BUT...if it works for your kid, then i'm sure its okay!!!!

[emsplace]

I am sure Aimee. There are lots of folks who probably wouldn't. But since children reach milestones at different times, some quicker than others... I am sure the fact that he is two months younger won't be a big deal for him.
He's always been advanced and I've no doubt that will continue.

[jamajofe]

I started kindergarten at 4 years old, no issue. Where I live alot of people opt to send their kids to Deferred Kindergarten first, and it is not always an age issue. But if your son is ready, then it would be the best thing for him. I don't believe in the deferred crap, or waiting a whole year to send them 2 months short of being 5 in nothing, my sister went when she was 4 and was born on Dec 31st.

[emsplace]

In a country where Kindergarten isn't a legal requirement, they sure make a flippin BIG DEAL about it.
UGH  I don't think it is such a big deal either.

[Aimee]

Oh by the way...I too started at 4...My birthday is in October too.  Bummer is, I couldn't tie my shoes or skip at the end of kgn, so I got to do it all over again.  I don't think I was socially ready either.  My mother taught next door to my classroom.  I'm totally fine now LOL  I failed to mention that earlier

[emsplace]

good to know you are fine... lol

[michellesamom]

Uh... I started at nursery school, age 3
Junior kindergarden, age 4
Kindergarden, age 5
and then went to grade 1.
I loved it. I thought that's what everyone did 

[emsplace]

Nope... some kids start early. Some start later... I guess it depends on the child.
Back in my day, we didn't go to preschool, our moms taught us and such... we started Kindergarten at 4 -5 years and the rest of school followed. Now, some parents hold their children till they are a full six years to start kindergarten and some send them a bit early  - like me.
It's good to have a choice... I guess. lol

[Aimee]

good to know you are fine... lol

I meant like mentally/emotionally...it didn't have any sort of adverse effect on me.

Although I can skip and tie my shoes now...