Episode Details

The principal is BACK. Part 1 or 2 with principal, educator and friend of the pod: Jon Arens. We are answering all ALL your questions about learning to read and starting kindergarten. 

Questions YOU asked and we discuss in these two episodes:

🧠 Decision-Making Factors

• What factors would make you consider redshirting as a good fit aside from age alone?
• Is it better to make the decision based on academic readiness or emotional/maturity?
• Does birth order influence the choice?
• Does research show it’s better to hold back a boy vs. a girl?
• Where do we draw the line? (March birthdays redshirted)
• HELP! 4YO July Bday. Language/reasoning/comm 💯, Social-emotional 😱

⚖️ Pros, Cons & Impact

• What are the top 3 signs to redshirt?
• Long-term implications of 6–7-year-olds in K — does it raise expectations too much for 4–5-year-olds?
• Is fear of “boredom causing behavior issues” a reason NOT to redshirt?
• Can kids get bumped up a grade if it ends up not being a good fit?

💡 Situational Scenarios

• My child is smart, early Aug birthday, but can’t sit still and struggles to participate.
• My child can read since 2.5 and is advanced in math but struggles emotionally (Sept bday).
• Late August birthday — can tell social/emotional differences but not academic ones.
• Very extroverted, very tall, late July birthday, reading level H — teacher says she’s okay.
• Twins with developmental delay — early intervention or more time?
• Late birthday + IEP for ADHD — repeat K or will the IEP be enough for 1st?

📍 District/Policy Questions

• Why don’t some schools (like CPS) allow redshirting?
• Is it allowed in every school district? Is it really up to parents?
• NYC with a Dec 31 cutoff — is that developmentally inappropriate?

🛠 Practical Tips

• I’m holding my son back (Aug 17) and sending him to TK — tips for avoiding regression?
• We’re redshirting KG but likely going to 1st — what should we focus on?
• Should we repeat kinder in a multi-age class (K/1) or switch to a different class?
• When would you do it?

😅 Other

• I already did it. How do I explain it to him?
• How common is this?
• Did it — bad idea. Had to fight to skip ahead due to immature classmates.
• My answers as a principal were easier than as a parent.

For more support visit bigcityreaders.com