Take My Son Out of Jr. Kindergarten or Not?

Keep him in. He is thriving and loving it. Why would you teach him that when someone does well and loves something it gets taken away?

He should stay in! A bright child needs stimulation and children his age need socialization as well. Pulling him out right now is going to be bad for him and not serve him in any way.

Keep him in! He's already half way through the year--and he's only going 3 half days a week. The tuition can't be that much. There are other benefits to school--it's more than just knowing all the answers! I agree with hubby on this one!

I am with your husband. Your son is happy. A happy child matters so much. If you can afford to do so, let him finish out the year.

Unless we were struggling to make ends meet, the $ saved would never be worth it to me.

This is a tough one since I can't afford to send my son to preschool at all. I would say that if it's not causing you a financial hardship then I would leave him in since he is obviously thriving. Seems sad to take that away from him if you really aren't being forced to.

I would not take my child out if they loved it as much as your son seems to (based on your post) unless I absolutely needed the money and even then I would try to find a way to keep him there. Even if he is obviously ready for kindergarten, it doesn't mean that he can't gain anything from where he is now...

Keep him in Jr K. He can only become better prepared for Kindergarten. There is still a lot for him to learn, even though he is currently doing well. Can you imagine if your parents had decided to take you out of high school halfway through because you'd already passed algebra?

If it's not broken DON'T fix it!!!!

Pulling him out right now could be a very bad idea. He has adjusted to the classroom and children. If he looks forward to going to school, keep encouraging that attitude.

Money will come and go, but your son's happiness is priceless.

I vote no.

I vote to keep him in (as long as you can afford it). I would agree with your husband. Jr. K is part of a process that if you don't have to stop in the middle because of bad experiences, no money, etc... don't do it. He sounds like he really likes it and this will help boost or maintain his self esteem and continue to develop more meaningful relationships with people... all that is part of the learning process! How do you really think it is going to go when you tell your son that he is ready for Kinder... so he doesn't need to go to his current Jr. K class and that he has to wait 7+ more months to begin that!

Keep him in Jr. Kindergarten, as it will make him more ready and more successful in Kindergarten. Taking him out now and having him do nothing until Kindergarten would be a mistake, especially since he likes going to school. If money was an issue, you probably should not have started him in this program in the first place, but since you have I think it would hurt your son to take him out of the program.

When you decided to put him into the program, you budgeted for the entire program. Keep him in. A good education at any age is worth a few $$.

Depends what you will do with him if you pull him out. If you will be participating in play groups, going to museums, playing at the park, reading and keeping him fully engaged in learning and socializing I don't think you will lose anything. After all many kids are successfully home schooled. If you don't thing you and DH will do these things, I would leave him in. Maybe you could get a job while he is at school to make up the $$.

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If you choose to take him out, are there other activities that he could do. Story time at the library, music lessons of some type, sports etc etc. I am sure there are many choices that he would enjoy but would be cheaper, especially coming into the spring months. It is not to early to ask about spring sports.

S.
www.LiveYourDreamsAtHome.com

Definitely keep him in. Yes, it costs a lot, but it's an investment in his future.

I see both sides. One thing is the your son is K ready now but could lose some of the advantage he has if completely pulled out (especially in the socialization side of things). If your goal is to save money, would you be able to keep him in twice a week? If you pulled him out, could/would you continue to teach him at home and insure he gets adequate socialization with his peers? I say keep him in...it is in his best interest.

I have to agree with your husband on this one. Your son has learned a love of school early. Pulling him out until Kindergarten starts could put a damper on that. Not to mention the social aspect of school--he has made friends that he looks forward to seeing. He is learning important social skills that he will use in Kindergarten and the rest of his life by interacting with these other kids in a classroom situation three days a week. I can't think of anything more valuable than what he is getting out of this extremely positive experience you are describing. I wouldn't take it away from him just to put money away for an intangible.

I would leave him. He enjoys going. You do not want to put a damper on
that.

I don't know about your area, but in my State, for Private schools.... Kindergarten is for 6 year olds... that is the entry age.

What does your school say?

It is not only the academics... but the all around.... learning of a child.
Your son enjoys it.
He is probably with the same age, kids???

If you put him in Kinder.... (if you can or the school allows him to change grade level)... will he then be, the "youngest" child in Kindergarten???
Then... thinking a few years ahead... do you want him to be the 'youngest'.... when he is in say, Middle-school or High-School... compared with his Classmates and their age-related phases and tendencies????

Then, if he continues to be great in Pre-K.... then sometimes the school will allow him to then, go to 1at Grade. By passing Kindergarten.
In most States, Kindergarten is not "mandatory."
So think about that too.

all the best,
Susan

My vote is keep him in. I work full time just so my boys can get a great private Preschool education. My oldest is just a few months younger than yours and also scores very high on the testings. We are leaving him in his program so that he maintains his schedule and routine. Boys at this age thrive on Routine and order.

Can you find, or organize, a play group? You could meet three times a week at a park or each others' houses (you might even get contact info for the kids in his class). That way, he'll have a fun time with other kids, but you'll be saving the money.

Personally, I agree with your husband....obviously it's not hurting you financially or you wouldn't have been able to afford to put him in it in the first place.

Can you realistically afford to keep him in? I am facing this same decision myself, so I think it will come down to what you all can afford. He will be in school in August anyways right? I'm all for the little guy, but in a case like this, I think saving the money would be the better option.

I am always one for asking the child. I am guessing he would like to stay in school. If you can afford to keep him in and he wants to stay I think you should continue with the program.

Here are some other reasons not to make a change that you haven't thought of.

Don't take for granted that the class your son would get into might not have a bad teacher or some dysfunctional, bullying children.

The teachers I know complain that school nowdays is about "teaching to the test." Facts, facts, facts. Memorize. They hate teaching that way but that's the way it is. They like as many years of private school as they can so a kid can develop more naturally and learn how to THINK and CREATE and PROBLEM SOLVE.

I'd rather have his social skills develop in a healthy environment than to risk, mid-year, if a change would be very regretful.