Kindergarten

When a child hasn't developed as fast as their peers, either socially or academically, it may be suggested that they wait another year, before starting kindergarten.

When choosing a kindergarten, you'll need to consider whether they offer a full day or half-day program. If you feel a full six-hour school day is more than your child is prepared to handle, and you have a flexible schedule, a half-day kindergarten may be an option.

Typically, children can start kindergarten at age four or five, though the cutoff dates will vary by state. As to whether it's appropriate for your child start, that depends on their maturity, and to a lesser degree, their academic skills.

The Montessori approach to learning is based on the work of Dr. Maria Montessori, who began her research in children's education in the late 1890's. The central focus of Montessori education is to help children develop their full potential for creativity, initiative, independence, inner discipline, and self-confidence.

Social and emotional development are an important part of kindergarten. In many ways, they're even more important than academic skills. You can promote socialization by letting your child interact with adults and peers, beginning at a very early age.

When your child's birthdate barely meets the cutoff for starting kindergarten, you may wonder whether it's better to enroll them, or wait a year. Unfortunately, there's no easy answer.