Although we don't have to decide for a couple years (thank goodness), Cliff and I started talking about Stone's age and schooling today. He is a summer baby, which for a boy, puts him at a very awkward age in the school year scheme of things. If he was a girl, I really wouldn't think twice about this. So the decision we need to make.... Do we put him in his proper grade per age? That puts him as the youngest in his class. Seems like girls tend to mature faster than boys (which is one reason I'd keep a girl in the proper grade), so he could potentially enter school a young age, always being the youngest for the following 13 years of his life. He'd graduate when he was 17. Perhaps he'd be a little smaller on the football field (yes, per Cliff, he will play football). As a side note, if you want to know why, Cliff has a very convincing list of why football is suited for every boy, and why, through it's disciplinary practices, is the perfect extracuricular activity for boys...you should ask him about it. Actually, that could be another blog post...note to self. OR... Do we hold him back? Then he's awkwardly the oldest in his grade. He'll be the first driving by far, and he'll almost be 19 by the time he graduates high school. Would he be too old for his grade? My brother, Jordan, is a Sept 2 baby, so he was properly the oldest in his grade, and as far as I know and can tell, that was perfect for him. But Stone would be the oldest by at least a month and a half. I guess that's not too bad? Decisions, decisions. Hmmmmm.......What do you think? Here are a few pictures while you think about it: Following three pictures: A series of Stone falling on his Scooter yesterday...
16 comments:
Well I think this is something everyone sort of thinks of. I think the best thing is to wait until you see what Stone is doing when he is close to starting school. He is ahead in areas, or about average or below. Unless he's ahead and has a good attention span I would probably wait. In a couple of my Child development classes for El Ed that was sort of the guidelines they gave. Both my kids are early fall babies so they'll be older, and I know I always liked being in the older group of my class, not younger. The one big benefit of being young is when you graduate at a young age you can get some more schooling in than most before a mission, but it all evens out anyways. I like the football thought, it would probably help to be bigger/older? Good luck it is a very interesting debate. Whatever you choose I am sure Stone will excel! Love the action shots, and his cute shoes!
I am sure you will get plenty of opinions on this so I won't tell you what to do but I will say my brother and I were both late summer babies and neither of us were held back - I think we would both agree that was the best decision for us and neither of us struggled in school. My brother was able to get a full year of school in before his mission which was a bonus. I know others feel the exact opposite though so I say it is whatever feels right to you with his personality :)
Ask Jordan. I pondered the same thing with him...and we def made the correct decision for him! I NEVER regretted that choice.
Those pictures are so cute! His hair look curly and even blondish...hmmmmm!
Just got home...fun times!!!
I think about that all the time! That was one of the reasons, I didn't know if I could do a summer baby because it is such a hard decision. I was a July baby and was the youngest, but it was not a big deal at all for me. However, my brothers were September and they were the oldest and I think it was really good for them.
If you read Outliers, then you will choose to have him be the oldest. There is a whole chapter about this....
The worst thing I think could happen is start him early and then have to do a grade twice (which happened to my nephew who is a July baby), so if it were me I would probably hold him back just to be safe. But as the time gets closer it may become more obvious what to do as far as maturity, intelligence, etc.
also, my brothers still did a full year of BYU before their missions..he could leave right after the spring semester..he would still be 19 and still get all that education and being away from home experience before his mission....but i think it does depends TONS on the kid!! GOOD LUCK!!!!
i say dont hold him back he will definitley hold his own in the older grade...missed you guys this weekend!!
I think it all depends on how he is in a couple of years. There's also the possibility of having him do kindergarten twice if you don't think he's ready for 1st grade. I've heard both sides from other summer boys, but I'm sure when the time approaches, you'll know what to do!
My birthday is the end of August so I was the youngest in my grade. Although I didn't enjoy that much, I say what everyone else has said and see how he's doing at that time! If you feel like he's ready then do it!
Congratulations you guys! I can't wait to hear what you are having. I can't believe how brave Stone is in the water. That is awesome. I would probably have him be old for his class. He is such a cute kid.
Jill Lau
That decision is really, REALLY hard, and I wouldn't worry about it now with Stone. He's only just turned two, and it's not worth the stress for the next two or three years. I think you'll know better when the time gets closer. That is something we've agonized with Ben for this past year or so (Aug. 27th B-day) - but after dropping him off at Kindergarten today I felt like we'd made the right decision with him. I'm sure I'll freak out about it a million times before he graduates, but for today I felt good about it. :) The Lord will help guide you when the time is closer to know what to do.
I don't know what I'd do either, and it's the same thing I will have to consider with Blake because her birthday is May 28th. Stone is so photogenic, it's amazing! He is getting so old and so cute! What a little heartbreaker. And I love his hair -I would grow out B's hair if it wasn't so coarse.
That's a toughy!! I was one of the youngest in my grade and even as a girl I hated it. I would hold him back to be older. That's what I would do if it were my kid. Either way, oldest or youngest, he will still be the cutest kid in his grade :)
I love his shoes!! Definitley put him in early. Stone is so ahead of the game and does things so early on, such as walking, talking, etc. I think he'd do great! (That way he can graduate with his cousins!)
My mom is a first grade teacher and she says to hold him back. You get to keep him another year, he'll be emotionally mature enough to handle school, and he'll be the first to date, drive, whatever in his grade! Always Fun!
I taught Kindergarten for 3 years and I say to hold back any boy who has a summer birthday. That way they are smarter, more mature, and bigger. Lots of summer birthday boys struggle to keep up. However, you know your son best and will make the best decision for him.
haha, i don't know anything that would help your schooling situation, buuut stone is amazing. i always laugh when you tell stories about him and the silly things he does!
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