Community Corner

Family Forum: When to Start Kindergarten

This column will explore questions and seek answers for and from local residents.

Family Forum is the new name of our previously named Moms Talk column. This is a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to local families.

Also, this new forum will allow you to reach out to your neighbors as well as we share comments and information with Sayville, Sachem, Bayport, Blue Point and Patchogue. We invite you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for families.

Each week in Family Forum, our council of experts take your questions, give advice and share solutions. If you are interested in joining our council, email Denise@patch.com.

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

Family Forum will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topic. Do you know of local moms raising their children in the Tiger Mother's way and is it the best way? Where can we get information on local flu shot clinics for children? How do we talk to our children about the Tucson shootings? How can we help our children's schools weather their budget cutbacks?

Find out what's happening in Sachemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation today. Please tell us your opinion in the comments section below. 

Today’s question: What are the reasons for and against holding your younger child back from starting kindergarten?

Sharon Boyle: An extra year of childhood is gained by holding back from kindergarten. Put a price on that. 

Alycia Broderick: I had this situation a few years back. My son was entering kindergarten as one of the younger one, and being a boy, I felt a little immature. I tossed the idea around of keeping him in pre-K another year but ultimately decided I had to give him the chance to see if he could handle it. The first few months were a struggle both socially and mentally but he really began to excel after the winter break. I think you have to just know the needs of your own child and be in tune with what they can and handle and that will lead you down the right path.


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