Mom's Talk Q&A: Why Hold Younger Children Back from Entering Kindergarten?

Welcome to another weekly edition of  , a new feature on North Fork Patch to reach out to moms and families. Our topic up for discussion today is New York State-mandated age cut-offs for entrance into public school kindergarten.

By New York State law, the child must turn 5 by Dec. 1 of the year they start kindergarten.  North Fork parent and Patch contributor Sandy Martocchia said that because of this, more and more parents are deciding to hold their kids back for an additional year, even if their birthdays fall in September or earlier.

"Parents reason the children will do better in school, and in some cases, sports if they keep them home for an extra year," she said. "Does it level the playing field or give some kids an unfair advantage over their peers?  Other states have a Sept. 1 cut-off date. Does it make sense to hold the kids back?"

What do you think?

Feel free to comment on this subject in the comment boxes below or shout out in the white box located in the upper righthand corner of the home page. Stay tuned for another chat next Wednesday afternoon.