My little boy thinks he’s a baby T-rex. But should I still send him to school?
My little boy won’t eat anything that’s green, can’t sit still for more than three minutes, and boils into an limb-flinging rage if his sister touches his toys.
But I should totally send him to school, right?
It’s that time of year. Crunch time. He’ll be four, turning five in the middle of next year. Technically, he COULD go to school in January.
It would save us a lot of money. Six years of children in child-care has left us in a muddle of debt. So kissing goodbye to the last of the preschool bills and everyone going back to five days of work would be lovely.
But… he thinks he’s a baby T-rex.
This is the kind of tussle that goes on in houses all over the country at school submission time. And it goes on, especially, in houses of people with boy children.
The word travels like wildfire around playgrounds and preschools: "Boys do better if you hold them back."
"Boys aren't like girls. They mature slower. They're not as resilient."
All of this oozes into the parental ear like so much tainted honey. If we're privileged enough to have a choice about when our child can start school, we trash our advantage with a fretful anxiety.
So do I look at my son and think he's a baby because he's a boy? Or because, as my youngest, he is my baby? Or because he really, actually, cognitively is still a baby? Who knows what the hell I think.
Top Comments
My three girls started school the year they turned six, one has her birthday at the end of April and two have their birthday at the beginning of January (so had already turned six before school started for the year). I don't regret my decision at all and cherish the time that we had together. They are all very enthusiastic students and love going to school.
Legally, children must be enrolled in school by their sixth birthday. Tasmania has the best policy in my opinion. Their cut-off date is 1 January. If the child hasn't turned five by the 1st of January they are not eligible to start school that year. No grey areas, and no parents worrying if they are making the right decision or being questioned by others about why they have made that decision!
I am an educational psychologist. Same first day is new in SA. Prior to this kids had to be highly gifted (IQ 140+) to start before the age of 5. Now we have kids with developmental delays starting before 5 years and it's heartbreaking. If you have the financial means and you suspect your child is not cognitively, behaviourally, developmentally, and socially ready, don't send them. There is no advantage to not waiting, but waiting an extra year can make all the difference.