What Age To Start?

There are many parents who can't wait for their children to start Kindergarten, when they become old enough. In Florida, a child must be five-years-old by September first. But is that the best age for all children? Not necessarily.. according to pyschologists and child development specialists.

In a special Assignment: Education report.. Bill Ratliff takes a look at the question.. "What Age To Start?"

--((Little boy looking at book says:)) "Do you know what this is?" ((Little girl says:)) "A triceratops."--

Ah.. the age of four. A time when stories about dinosaurs.. puzzles.. blocks of wood.. play kitchens.. and even colorful paper.. can inspire fantasy and delight. It is simply a wonderful age. But it's also one of transition. For many of these four-year-olds at Palma Ceia Academy, Kindergarten is just around the corner. In the state of Florida, if a child is five by September first, he or she can enter Kindergarten.. if academically ready. But Early Childcare professionals.. like Martha Bostwick.. say parents should not make that move automatically.

--((Martha Bostwick says:)) "They might be ready academically.. could handle the work.. but emotionally, often times they're not ready."--

Meet Sam and Andy Cressman.. fraternal twins. They are growing, high-energy boys. And at the age of five-years eight-months, they're old enough to be in kindergarten. but they're not. Mom Jodie Cressman says she and her husband felt their boys needed an extra year, so they wouldn't limp through kindergarten.

--((Jodie Cressman says:)) "I had some reservations whether they were going to be able to sit still long enough, because in the beginning of their Four-K year they didn't seem like they really had a long attention span."--

--((Mom Melva Murphy reads to her son:)) "Come on", Marshall said. "Let's go to the ball field and have a game of catch."--

And then there's Melva Murphy. She has -already- decided not to send her three-year-old-son Andrew to Kindergarten, when he turns five.. Because his birthday is August 17-th. That would make him one of the youngest in his class. There's also another reason.

--((Melva Murphy says:)) "He's a boy. His motor skills will probably develop a little slower than girls would. So, there might be some frustrations there right off the bat."--

Child Development experts say there's a checklist of things to consider, before making the Kindergarten decision. Their child must have the ability: To regulate their own behavior.. be attentive and focused.. to have positive relationships with adults and peers.. understand the difference between reality and fantasy.. to communicate with.. and read.. facial expressions and gestures.. and have the ability to organize thoughts and ideas. Hillsborough County School Psychologist Dr. Linda Richey says if children can't do these things.. forcing them into Kindergarten can lead to serious problems.

--((Dr. Linda Richey says:)) "Some of the professionals in the field feel kids that are put into a situation where they are expected to learn things before they are developmentally ready.. have short term stress-related problems and long term personality changes."--

The bottom line is.. your child needs to be mature enough to enjoy kindergarten, because enjoyment can then lead to success.

--((Little girl playing with puzzle says:)) "Yes, I did it!"

If you are still not sure your child is ready for Kindergarten, Dr. Richey says look at the peer group your child is most comfortable functioning in. Bill Ratliff, Newschannel 8

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