CLEVELAND — It’s back-to-school time and while some kids and parents are gearing up, others are looking forward to a second year of pre-kindergarten. 

What You Need To Know

  • The term "redshirting" comes from college sports where athletes take an extra year to practice and hone skills

  • Parents of pre-schoolers debate postponing kindergarten if their child is on the younger side

  • Finances can play a role in parents sending their children to kindergarten before they're ready

It allows some kids some extra time to learn socialization if they’re a bit on the younger side.

Sandy Hadgis has a four-year-old daughter who will do a second year of pre-kindergarten before entering kindergarten.

“She still naps. We know in kindergarten there’s no time for napping and she’s a bear when she’s still tired,” Hadgis said with a laugh.

But there are other reasons she’s postponing having her daughter enter kindergarten.

“Making sure she was socially ready,” she said.

Hadgis’ daughter turns five shortly after the cutoff to enter kindergarten. Her family has decided that postponing it will be beneficial to her daughter.

The practice is known as “redshirting.” The term comes from college sports where athletes take an extra year to practice and hone skills, but the concern for kindergarteners is more academic.

“A lot of it really does depend on the child. There’s no hard and fast rule,” said Dr. Shelly Senders, pediatrician and founder of Senders Pediatrics.

Senders said there are two questions parents should ask themselves.

“Can the child learn? That’s a very vague question, but parents know the answers. You have a sense of, ‘Can this child sit still and be able to learn? How do they interface with other people?’ A child who is more out there is more likely to be able to learn. A child who is severely introverted may need another year of socialization,” Senders said.

He said finances are also a deciding factor as many parents are unable to afford an additional year of day care. Senders recommends talking to preschool teachers when making the decision.

“We don’t spend eight hours as a preschool teacher does. A teacher can provide that kind of guidance,” Senders said.

Hadgis said her daughter can read and plans to add some academic work at home to keep her from getting bored. She also wants to prepare her daughter to better communicate before entering elementary school.

“My husband and I both felt next year she can be a better advocate for herself. Be grownup in a kid way,” Hadgis said.