Repeating kindergarten was the right choice

I would like to thank my daughter Savannna’s teacher Diane Dennison for her continued support, encouragement, suggestions and patience for my daughter.

For kindergarten students to attend their first year of school, they have to be five years old regardless of what month they were born for that year. In my daughter’s case, she was way too young last year to attend kindergarten. Since she was one of the younger kindergartens, she was behind academically.

During our last semester teacher-parent meeting, Diane suggested that Savanna repeat kindergarten. I was a little hesitant at first but she clearly explained to me:

* since she didn’t catch up with the kindergarten level, she will have a hard time adjusting to Grade 1;
* no child is dumb, each child learns differently with different strategies;
* the first year of school is very important as a child needs to be confident and ready to learn;
* and the first year of school will affect her years of school and have an impact on other grades, positively or negatively.

When Savanna first started it was difficult for her to adjust as the academics were too advanced for her. There were times when she didn’t want to go to school. She eventually got used to the routine of going to school.

Savanna repeated kindergarten, and today she is more confident in going to school and her learning had improved tremendously. She is reading/writing at a kindergarten level and is very proud of her work. I am happy I went along with Diane’s decision for my daughter to repeat kindergarten. As I am also confident that she will do well next year in Grade 1.

For kindergartens, there is a big gap for students born in January and for students born in December, and they go to kindergarten in the same year.

Although many parents would disagree with me, I suggest the cut off date for kindergarten who were born from January 30 to June 30 to attend the year they turn five, for those who were born on July 1 to December 31 to attend kindergarten the year after. This would make kindergartens in the same level.

I know Savanna and I aren’t the only ones to go through this. If your child is asked to repeat kindergarten, don’t get discouraged. After all, your child’s teacher has looked in your child’s shoes. Sometimes we expect a little too much from our children and often get disappointed when those expectations are not being met. Imagine yourself learning a foreign language and be expected to be fluent in couple of months.

I hope parents understand this big gap on kindergarten students. I also understand it means having to pay childcare expenses for another year. But what is important is when your child is comfortable, confident, and progressing in her/his grades. This way learning can be fun.

Sheba Pikuyak
Iqaluit