To School or Not to School
by Ginny Seuffert
Most homeschooling families are more relaxed over the summer. Dad flips burgers on the grill and the kitchen stays clean when meals are taken at the picnic table. Many moms—like me—find they need to convert some lazy days into school time to finish up the previous year, but most shorten the school day. All of us, however, are wistfully aware that vacation is too short, and we are planning for the upcoming year. Parents of preschoolers are especially anticipating the new academic year, and wondering when exactly is the right time to start kindergarten.
A convincing argument can be made to start early, particularly when older brothers and sisters are already homeschooling. Little ones are often champing at the bit to be part of the home school, just like the “big kids.” In families where education is just part of family life, toddlers often seem to be more than ready. Home schooling parents do not have to worry about the negative influences of older children in a classroom setting, so why not start a little smarty-pants at four?
Sometimes moms, especially first-time homeschoolers, are tempted even when the child might need more time to be kindergarten-ready. Other parents, who have done their homework and are convinced that home schooling is the way to go, are so overwhelmed with anticipation that they cannot wait to begin. More commonly, mom is just looking for something to keep Junior or Janie busy while she works with the older children. Practicing penmanship is certainly a better use of time than watching the tube.
On the other hand, there is no solid evidence that early kindergarten enhances overall learning. In fact, pushing children into academic work before they have the physical, emotional and intellectual maturity to handle it is probably not a good idea. Most five or six year olds can learn their letter sounds and begin to decode words fairly easily. While some children can accomplish this at four, often it is stressful for both teacher and student, so why do it? Students need to be able to read appropriate chapter books, without a controlled vocabulary, by about the fourth grade. Reaching this goal is far more crucial to academic success than early reading. Many children, particularly boys, lack the small motor coordination to form letters and numbers with a pencil. This early frustration makes some children feel inadequate and can foster a bad attitude about schoolwork in general.
As usual the answer to this dilemma is one of the greatest benefits of the flexibility of home education. Schools usually set an arbitrary date for kindergarten; where I live, the student must be five by September 1 to enroll in kindergarten. This does not take into account the vast differences in maturity among children of this age. Some smart little girls are ready to sit still and finish their worksheets at around their fifth birthdays, but often little boys cannot remain quiet for long periods of time.
Homeschooling parents are wise to follow the child’s lead in making their decision. Start by gauging your toddler’s interest in the world around him. Does he memorize simple prayers, sing in the car, pay attention in church, and count objects? Will he sit still while you read a book for fifteen or twenty minutes? If so, start slowly. The Seton Educational Media catalog sells several preschool workbooks for the three or four-year-old who seems interested. When children can color in the lines, follow directions, pay attention for more than half an hour at a time, and have finished their pre- school workbooks, you might consider kindergarten.
A good rule of thumb about when to start your child is: if you are not sure, it is best to wait. Unlike institutional schools where students start a new grade in late summer, homeschool pupils may start anytime of the year. Six months is forever in the life of a young child, and might change a reluctant learner into an eager one.
The same principle applies to children who are enrolled in kindergarten, but really struggle with the work. Prudent parents admit they may have jumped the gun, and slow down, perhaps working only 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon. Others put the books away entirely. Seton recognizes the differences in maturity among young children and gives two years to finish the kindergarten curriculum.
Here is a final thought about the children who do enjoy great success in early kindergarten. Mom tells us that Molly started reading at three-and-one-half and is reading fifth grade chapter books at seven. Instead of enrolling her in the age-appropriate second grade, she wants her to do fifth grade reading. While I have no doubt that Molly is a good reader, can she write a five-paragraph book report? Can she analyze more sophisticated concepts such as character traits? Molly is almost always better off reading every book on the second and third grade lists. She can expand her education horizontally instead of vertically, by reading books about subjects she is studying in history and science. She will still obtain a rich education and advance far beyond her years. Parents need to think ahead before promoting their children years beyond where they should be.
An exception to this rule is mathematics. Children who have mastered first grade arithmetic concepts do not benefit by studying them for another year. There is no real benefit to holding a child back in math.
So the answer to the question of when a particular child is ready for kindergarten often boils down to common sense. If you think your child is ready, and if he or she seems eager, now is the time to start. Do not worry about chronological age as much as maturity, trust your instincts, and do what is best for your individual family situation. Pray to your child’s guardian angel for help, and never hesitate to call a Seton counselor for guidance.
