Just a little food for thought from yet another perspective. :-)
We live in Florida where the cutoff is September 1st. Our DS7 has a late November birthday, so he started K when he was 5 going on 6, as per the Florida state requirements. He is now in second grade and not only highly gifted, but also in the 99th percentile on the growth charts and already a skilled golfer. He's a very happy and easy going child. It's absolutely amazing how many people judge us that we have somehow done something wrong by placing him in the grade REQUIRED by our state. Our midwest friends and family (we're from Michigan where the cutoff is December 1), especially, assume that we've "held him back" for sports which is offensive and ridiculous. He's simply in the grade he's supposed to be in...and we have found a school staffed with teachers who appreciate and foster his gifts. Not to mention that we provide him with plenty of outside stimulation to feed his never ending curiosity and need to know. And, yes, he's tall and, yes, he plays sports. So what? Can't a child be both??? Can't a parent take BOTH things into consideration? It's truly amazing how many people assume he must not be bright because he is SO BIG and he's had early success at sports! Especially people with other gifted children. Ugh.
And (gasp!) so what if sports are some families priority...not everyone is academically gifted...perhaps, for some children, sports are their ticket to personal growth and fulfillment and college...who knows? We're all dealing with exceptionally bright children. Some parents are dealing with exceptionally coordinated and athletic children. It is possible to be a gifted athlete.
And, finally (I promise), I have an October birthday, so I started K at age 4 and went to college at age 17 and law school at 21. It worked well for me, but as a parent, I would not want my child away at college that early in today's campus climate. Our DD (21), who has a June birthday, is currently a senior in college and is among the youngest in her class. Back when she was in second grade the school wanted to grade skip her to fourth. We declined and are glad that we did. She certainly could have handled the material academically, but the social issues (may have been) overwhelming. I would not have wanted her living on campus at 16...and I wouldn't want her to have to live at home and miss out on the "right of passage" that is dorm life. ;-) Just MY concerns and MY choices...Who knows...just would have traded one set of concerns (academic) for the other (social.)
The true bottom line is...who cares what other families choose to do? We all need to make the BEST choice for OUR children and try not to judge those that make different choices. I truly believe that MOST people are trying to do the BEST for THEIR family...and who is to say that my choice is better? I can only hope it is the best one for my child. So, go ahead and "red shirt" for sports or "accelerate" for academics! If it is a good fit for your child, go for it! Be glad that we're not all the same and that we actually have so many choices to meet our varied needs!
