Redshirting is many times referred to when you hold a student or child back a year in school. This will give the student a chance to increase their academic and social skills with the teacher and other students. Making the decision to redshirt a child usually happens around the cutoff of the child’s birthday or if they are born in the latter half of the year. Start preparing your child for kindergarten and school by having them attend preschool and working with them as a parent. Before you make the decision to redshirt your child, make sure you have gone through the proper steps to make sure they need to be delayed a year in school.
The NCES, National Center for Education Statistics, does many surveys and reports each year on how redshirting your child will affect them. Academic redshirting rates at a 9% for each year; this is based on children that are kindergarten age. It is also more likely to redshirt boys more than girls. If the student’s birthday is around the cutoff date, they may also be considered to be redshirted. This will not hurt the student; it will help the student with academics and with their social skills. Many times, redshirting will occur in the private schools, but is becoming more and more common with the public school systems. Redshirting your student will also allow the teacher to spend more time with your child when they are ready for school.
In a national survey that was completed with teachers, they stated that 48% of their students were not ready and were not prepared for the curriculum that is introduced at the kindergarten level. The teachers also rated at high percentages that the students lacked important skills that are required to achieve a successful academic education. These skills and percentages include, academic skill at 36%, following directions at 46% and working independently at 34%. Have your child or student take the proper tests to check if they are prepared and ready for the kindergarten level.
Redshirting your child will help your child reach different levels as a student. You may see an increase in your child’s academic levels in math, reading and general knowledge when you delay their education for a year. A students self confidence within the classroom my also achieve new heights.
When they are able to communicate and listen to the teachers and other classmates, their social achievements will begin to grow and they will interact more. The more prepared your child is to become a student, the better a teacher will be able to affect the class as a whole.
At times, making the decision to redshirt your child is not an easy one. If you are undecided on what to do, you can use a few of these steps to make your decision easier. Make sure you make a positive effect on your child and not a negative one.
- Many children will attend a preschool before they enter kindergarten. If your child was one of those that attended preschool, ask the preschool teacher how your child did as a student. Also ask how they did with the projects they were asked to do, if they listened to instructions and how the interacted with other children and students. This will give you a clear idea on the levels your child is at.
- Ask the kindergarten teacher you child may have if you can view the curriculum they will be teaching. Also ask for any testing that your child can take. This will help you and the teacher determine if your child is ready to become a student.