Kindergarten retention generally does not carry as much of a stigma as in higher grades. Children typically have not had time to develop long-term friendships, so making new friends might come easier to a child in kindergarten. Students are given an opportunity to improve academically in a less rigorous environment than first grade. Repeating kindergarten can significantly improve academic abilities, as was reported by the Public Policy Institute of California in the publication, “Early Grade Retention and Student Success.” Although it is generally considered a last resort, retention can have at least a short-term positive academic effect for children.
Some children might be embarrassed to be a year older than classmates, and might be physically larger than other kindergarten children. Having a child repeat kindergarten might send a negative message to a child and her self-esteem might suffer. Any academic gains that the student may experience are often temporary, as was reported by Shane Jimerson, Sarah Pletcher and Mariellen Kerr in the report, “Alternatives to Grade Retention,” that was published on the website for the National Association of School Psychologists.
Any benefits of a child's retention could recede after a few years. Jimerson, Pletcher and Kerr reported that holding a child back in kindergarten or other grades has a negative effect in all academic areas, and some children even rate grade retention as being as stressful as losing eyesight or death of a parent. Self-esteem and behavioral problems are more likely as well. As children progress through school, retained students often have lower attendance and lower reading scores. Children who have been held back in kindergarten are also much more likely to drop out during high school, as was reported in Volume 7 of the journal The California School Psychologist that was published on the website for the regents of the University of California.
Parents can choose to delay sending an emotionally or academically immature child to kindergarten when he is age-eligible. Tutors or additional one-on-one help from a teacher can give a struggling child an extra academic boost. Some children may perform better in another method of schooling, such as a private school or home school. Parents could also consider having a child tested for learning disabilities, vision problems and hearing loss to rule out any physical causes for academic struggles.