Redshirting for Kindergarten

Has anyone done this? My son is a late fall baby. He has sensory issues, speech delay, short attention span, low motor tone issues, especially in his hands and arms. He is also a non-solid food eating child. He is getting OT and ST now. He is not in a special needs school. His therapists come to the house. He is not very mature for his age either (4 y/o in a month). He is very social but gets frustrated easily and can get aggressive... I have friends who have kids who were redshirted for other reasons (mainly got not being socially or emotionally ready) and started just before their 6th birthday... They adapted nicely. My plan would be to find a pre-k for him next school year. Because of his chaotic therapy sessions now, he doesn't go to pre-k.... Not paying for him to go and be pulled out during his class room time for therapy (no school pre-k around here).....

Message edited 10/10/2013 12:59:24 AM.

Re: Redshirting for Kindergarten

Fortunately, DS didn't make the cut off for kindergarten since he turns 5 on 12/30 so he is in Pre-K now.

I originally got the stuff in the mail for him to register for K and went crazy.

Don't quote me on this because I'm not 100% sure, (best advice is to follow up directly with the school) but I believe some of the ladies have mentioned that he may not qualify for services again for that next year, from the school district if you hold him back if technically he meets the age qualifications to start K.


It's nuts though. I went to the Pre-K orientation 2 nights ago and was told that by Kindergarten, they are expected to be on level with grade 2.

I follow a FB moms group and the ladies are up in arms about some of the homework being sent home at grade 2 that people who work as chemists can't figure out.

I really feel for you, trust me.


As an aside, DS is only getting OT this year and I asked for her to just go to the school. It was becoming disruptive for our family as a unit with all the therapists coming in and out at different times last year.

Last year when he was in nursery, and had SEIT, she also provided the service in the school.

He isn't pulled out for these services.

Message edited 10/10/2013 5:34:02 AM.

Redshirting for Kindergarten

I retained DD in K. She is a late October birthday and started K at 4. She had to go to receive services. I held her back last year to repeat K and she is now in 1st. Even though I was very hesitant to send her to K while still so young it was the best decision because the amount of progress she made that year was amazing and now she is on level to be mainstreamed.

Re: Redshirting for Kindergarten

I asked about this, since my DS missed the cutoff by about a week.

What I was told was that in order for him to receive services, he would have to be enrolled in Kindergarten at the time he was supposed to be (4, turning 5). If he wasn't registered, they will not provide services. I would call the special ed office in your district and ask about this, but I think that is what they will tell you.

Re: Redshirting for Kindergarten

I am pretty sure he will be losing OT in the new year and once he starts school, he will lose his speech therapist that we have grown to love..He is doing great with speech and has come a long way since he started...

I will pay out of pocket for his current therapist to stay with him if I have to


The other BIG thing with holding him back is this new common core crap!!!! My friends with kids in school now are having a HARD time with the new stuff..

Redshirting for Kindergarten

I just did this. My child has a late fall birthday and we had family members on both sides who were the youngest in the class (some due to birthdays, some because they skipped a year academically) and all were very unhappy. As a result we thought about holding our child back before she was even born. Then with the language delay, we did not think she had the confidence or social skills for kindergarten. We registered her for kindergarten telling the school district that there was very little chance she would be going to kindergarten this year. I enrolled her just to keep options open and because I was afraid of getting services cut off. We enrolled her in a private pre-K this year and would never have expected the school district to pay for that since this is our choice. What we did want, however, is for the school district to pay for OT, PT and speech. They are. It has not necessarily been an easy process but we did it and got to pretty much keep our services. At this point, we are very happy with the decision.

Re: Redshirting for Kindergarten

Re: Redshirting for Kindergarten

My dd doesn't receive services but she had major speech delays as a baby. She started kindergarten at 4 and I felt she would struggle if she' went on to first grade so I held her. It was the best decision for her. pM me with any questions!!

Redshirting for Kindergarten

I have twins & although only 2yrs at this point, we plan to red shirt. There birthday is 10/28. I don't feel they should start kindergarten at 4yrs old