For a lot of these classes, there's more to the class than the advertised content. These secondary skills don't always develop alongside the development of the talents. Often these have consequences for the other kids in the class. I was really sympathetic to their situation, but they were not only disruptive to the class, but my son didn't get the same peer-to-peer interaction that we were seeking in through the class experience.
I'm really sympathetic to both POVs here. I considered putting DS (just turned 5) in a chess club that was 6 and up recently. He certainly can play like a 6yo (and there IS no chess club for his age). However, he still often reacts like a just turned 5yo when he loses. And my older DD has frequently been very frustrated by the "leveling down" that occurs when younger sibs take part or hang out in relaxed classes she has participated in. It's a hard call.
