Repeat Kindergarten or move on to first grade?

I also say to not worry about what grade level he is in. Meet him where he is and if it were me, I’d try not to claim this coming year as K OR 1st. Maybe by the end of next year you can tell if he fits one grade level better than another, but I can’t see why it matters at this age. If you want to buy curriculum, buy whatever fits what he knows and don’t worry if it says K on the box. Is you youngest even registered with the state at his age? I’d say focus your academic attention on your older children, read a lot to your little one, follow him in his learning where he wants to go, but don’t push it. Five and six are too young (in my opinion) to bother with ‘school’. In other words, I fully agree with jawgee above – lots of sunshine and you reading wonderful books. Have fun!

My oldest will be turning 6 in June. I think there’s wisdom to be gleaned from the previous comments for sure. I started teaching my daughter to read when she was 4.5 or so, I would have waited but she really wanted to. In the beginning, I found myself getting frustrated because she wasn’t getting it so we just took it much slower and I relaxed my expectations. So glad I did. She reads quite well now and loves it. I haven’t done anything formal with her besides that yet, and I’m glad. She loves me reading to her so I read the Bible (Catherine Vos’ Child’s Story Bible…which she very much looks forward to), so we’ve been doing that for over a year now. Plus, reading good books together. She has her own calendar where she marks off the days, puts family member’s birthdays/holidays. Sometimes we’ll do some practical math like when we’re cooking (I need this many cups, I put one in, how many more kind of thing). Other than that and exploring natural things we find outside like bird’s nests, insects, etc. I don’t think anything else is necessary and maybe even hindering especially if one is working on instilling good habits with them and teaching them to have some household responsibilities. That seems like a full plate for a little one! I hope that is taken encouragingly, sometimes we as moms think we have to do it all right now and set our expectations high then we just get frustrated. Since I have to register with our state this year, I will have more of a plan but I want to still keep it light and fun. I looked at MFW at one point, briefly, but decided it was too much money and it didn’t fit us, I like to pick and choose. I’d rather spend my money on particular books that we would really enjoy and of course use the library as much as possible. As mothers, we know our children and what they are ready or not ready for.

I have a DD with a July b-day.  I pretty much consider her a grade “behind” where she would be.  I also have a son with a November b-day, but I almost consider him a grade “ahead” of where the school would have placed him.  I try to place them in materials that are appropriate for their abilities, even if that means they are in a different grade than they would be in public school.  I also have them in different levels for each subject.  My DD is ahead for reading level, so she reads more difficult books.  DS struggles with writing, so I have him a bit behind with the writing.  I think the key is to place them where they need to be for each subject…even if they are doing the work of different grades for each subject.   

I have a K’er this year as well (she turned 6 last winter).  We’ve been doing phonics, basic math (lots of manipulatives), and a bit of copywork.  In addition, she joins in with siblings on some of the readings and most of the activities (art, experiments, handicrafts, picture study, etc.).  For 1st, I’ll probably just have her join in a bit more and spend a bit more time on narration…everything else will be the same.  I am planning on using MUS Alpha, so our math lessons wiill be just a bit more formal.  I don’t think there needs to be a huge jump between 1st and K.

I don’t think a boxed program is necessary.  I am using one with my 3yo to keep me more consistent (HOD’s LHTH), but we often skip more of the school-ish lessons.  With my K’er, we’ve been using some of the FIAR books (she also joins in on some of her little sister’s lessons).  It does help them feel a bit more included, and both programs are pretty laid back, with very little writing.  MFW seems more heavy on the phonics and two of my DC haven’t been ready to read until around age 6…my DS was reading very well at 4.  I think there is a huge jump in reading readiness at those ages!  I haven’t actually used MFW, so maybe it isn’t as phonics intense as I’m thinking.

By purchasing a boxed program, there can be a tendency to push him to finish the lesson, even if he’s already lost interest.  You might be better off gathering some materials and creating your own informal lessons…and stopping in the middle of the lesson if he needs to.  I’ve had regrets about purchasing a phonics workbook for my DD, even though she loves it.  I constantly remind myself that it’s okay to stop after 1/2 worksheet if she’s tired of writing.