Peyton's Place

[Occhidiangela]

Query for you, Occhi:

I am relying on comments made by my sister, some 15 years ago, when she had her son entering kindergarden in a community in Texas (Midland, IIRC).  She claimed that there were parents who held their sons back a year before entering Grade 1, in aid of ensuring a larger/more mature boy for a better shot at a successful high school football career.

Since her son was born just before the cut-off time of September 1st for enrollement, this meant that her just turned 5-year old was in class with boys who were about to turn 6 and, in some cases, 7.  At that age, there are significant differences in maturity, and her son was having a hard go of it in the peer relations department as a result - hence the comments.

Was this an exaggeration on my sister's part?  Or is this practice a common one still?
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It was not uncommon then, and not just in Texas. I'd guess it still goes on. There is some evidence that Calallen High School, a local sholastic sports power house, still engages in that practice. I bow to the sovereignty of the parents to determine when their child is ready to enter public school. It is their call.

The lure of "free college" is a compelling incentive for parents of a child, who they think has athletic potential, to get an edge. Of course, the more people who do it, the less the edge, and the more disruptive that myopic practice is to other, more normal parts of the school system. I spent my entire school life a year younger than my peers, as I finished first and second grade in the same year. All it really meant was my time served in public schools was a year less. I learned how to adapt.

Silver lining. Since legend has it that "girls mature faster than boys do" it might be beneficial in some cases for some boys to start a year later . . . if you believe that legend.

Let parents make their own decisions, fully aware of the impact it has on their child. What seems to be happening with some of my neighbors is a complete opting out of the public school system via the home schooling path.

What does that do to peer interaction and social development?

Occhi