Every Wednesday our members get to ask Waldorf teacher Diane Power questions about their homeschooling experience, Waldorf education and more. These Q & A sessions are posted on the member blog every week so you have access to all the past Q & A sessions. Become a member of Earthschooling to get your questions answered personally every week.
Question: What are your thoughts on starting first grade (boy) at 6 1/2 years old instead of 7? – Melanie
Answer by Waldorf Teacher Diane Power: Hi Melanie! Have you given him a first grade readiness test? Here’s a link to an article by Nancy Blanning discussing readiness HERE. (Note there is also an article about First Grade Readiness on the Earthschooling BLOG HERE). Are there any specific areas that you would like to discuss? What are the reasons you would like to begin earlier?
Melanie: We are starting the school year in September and he will be 6.5. I see some areas of readiness (teeth, limbs, coordination) but not all ( emotions, drawings, imagination)
I don’t want to push too soon but I also don’t want him bored all year.
Diane: My biggest concerns would be if he could consistently sit through morning lesson, have the stamina to draw and write every day, begin knitting and playing the flute, and have the emotional maturity to transition into “working” with less play time. As a homeschooling family you have the flexibility to begin the school year as a first grader and if it doesn’t work, ease back into a more play-based day and try again in January or next fall. I would recommend that after evaluating his first grade readiness results, choose what you think is this best route forward for him, and enthusiastically begin the school year. Monitor his energy levels, his frustration level, his need for movement and play and adjust if need be. Is he excited about beginning first grade? Learning his letters and numbers?
Melanie: He is not excited at all about letters. Numbers have come extremely naturally to him. He still seems to just want to play. He is excited about flute and stories. Don’t get me wrong, He’s very smart!
Diane: It’s not correlated to his intelligence ~ it’s a “readiness” issue. Normally boys are slower to be ready for formal learning. If you do decide to begin, give him plenty of large muscle movement during circle, breaks and recess.
Melanie: Thank you! last question, Would YOU wait?
Diane: I’m smiling!! Since I don’t know your son, I can’t really say.
Do you feel like you would be pushing him? Could it become a struggle? These are signs to wait.
You could begin in September or wait until January. You could teach first grade over two years. You could begin this summer giving beginning flute and knitting lessons and make some beeswax items for your nature table (all fine motor activities) and see how he does. You have the beauty of creating an education that meets your son’s needs, to call forth his abilities, interest and love for the world.
If you have the feeling that it is time to start, start with joy and enthusiasm and celebration!! Monitor his progress, come back to the forum and let us know how it goes.
Melanie: I love this! Thank you!
Diane: Blessings on the journey!! 
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