Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/197025
KINDERGARTEN (Continued from Page 21) this decision. Beth Zeman, a mother of three from Monroe, sent her 4-yearold daughter Sarah to kindergarten this year. Sarah has Down's syndrome, which meant that for her, redshirting could have resulted in a lack of necessary services. According to Dr. Russo, one concern with parents redshirting their children is that some may do so under the assumption that the student is not developmentally mature enough, when in fact they may be in need of special education services. This is one reason why it's important to seek professional opinions and collect all the information you can about your child before making a choice. After much reflection, Lauren Dean and her fiancé made the decision to give Noah one more year in preschool before entering kindergarten. Asking other Why is it called "redshirting"? The term "redshirting" is borrowed from collegiate sports. A "redshirt" is an athlete who is kept out of varsity competition for a year in order to extend eligibility. They spend their first year on the team solely developing their skills. Tips for making the decision • Gather advice from people who know your child well, (ie. teachers, caregivers, pediatrician, family, etc.) • Talk to your child and listen to their feelings about the decision. parents who had been through similar experiences was the turning point for her. "I feel optimistic that the extra year to brush up on his fundamentals and learn patience and self-control will make kindergarten and beyond a little easier on • Trust that, as parents, you know your child best. • Remember that your child is unique and what's best for other children may not be best for yours. him — and on me and his Dad." Sarah Coppola is a wife, mom of two, and a Hudson Valley native who lives in Port Ewen. She can also be found writing at her website FamilyFriendlyHudsonValley.com. hvparent.com Hudson Valley Parent 23 n the birch school homeschool resources gardnertown farm horse riding lessons horse riding school once upon a child children's consignment store children's clothing toys wimpfheimer infant toddler center preschool nursery school kindergarten