The Pros & Cons of Redshirting: Advice From a Therapist

What Is Academic Redshirting?

Redshirting is when parents decide to delay their child’s entry into kindergarten for a year or more. The term is borrowed from collegiate sports, where an athlete practices with their team but doesn’t compete during the season. Parents choose to redshirt their child for various reasons, all based on the belief that it sets their child up for greater success.

Redshirting can provide an athletic advantage due to physical maturity. It also gives more time for the child to be ready academically and have more emotional maturity. Finally, being one of the oldest kids in the classroom can provide increased confidence. It is estimated that between 3-7% of children are redshirted, mostly from families with high incomes.¹

Redshirting in Boys Vs. Girls

Redshirting is more common with boys than girls. Researchers have found two primary reasons for this. One is the fear that boys will underachieve academically. Parents describe worrying that their sons are not mature enough to start school and that this will put them at a disadvantage. Redshirting is a way to give them a better chance at success.

Another reason for redshirting boys has to do with physical size. Parents believe that delaying kindergarten by a year and allowing their sons to grow physically larger and stronger will help them be more confident and more successful in sports. They believe that being older than their classmates will give their child a size and strength advantage over their peers.³

Is Redshirting Effective?

The research on redshirting is mixed. Studies show that there are some benefits and also potential downsides. Many studies show that there is a definite advantage in the early school years, especially in math and reading scores. For many children, these benefits level out around 3rd grade. However, the benefits seem to last longer for economically disadvantaged kids.⁴

Here are some possible benefits of redshirting your child:

• Can boost reading and math scores in the early school years
• Has a lasting positive effect for economically disadvantaged kids
• Lowers the risk of being held back a grade later
• Allows children born in the summer to be on the older end of their class
• Gives children a chance to grow physically stronger than their peers
• Allows them to mature emotionally and socially

Are There Downsides to Redshirting?

There are some potential disadvantages to redshirting. Redshirting can be expensive because it often requires an extra year of daytime childcare, creating a hardship for many families. It can create unnecessary delays for kids who may benefit more from getting started with school. Also, kids who physically mature earlier than their peers could be bullied for looking different from their peers, and starting in the workforce later in life could be financially costly.

If you suspect your child has academic or developmental delays, it may be tempting to redshirt your child, but you may want to reconsider. Experts advise getting kids with special needs into school as soon as possible so they can be linked with programs and services that can help them. While it may feel scary to send them to school, it might be the best place for them.⁵

Common Myths About Redshirting

Myths about redshirting abound, so it’s a good idea to look at the research when making a decision. One myth is that redshirting guarantees an advantage, but it doesn’t. Redshirting does have benefits for some children, but it is not a guarantee and may even be harmful. Another myth is that the benefits are permanent, while research shows that they are usually short-term.⁶

There are also myths about children who are redshirted. For example, the myth that kids who are redshirted are less smart is absolutely not true; parents have many reasons that have nothing to do with intelligence. It is also a common myth that kids who are redshirted will have an athletic advantage and more opportunities. While an extra year will allow them to grow, peers do eventually catch up, and this doesn’t guarantee success.

Socioeconomic Factors That Impact Redshirting

The ability to redshirt your child is an economic luxury that not all families are able to afford. According to the research, children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds benefit the most from redshirting but are often unable to do so due to finances. Redshirting often requires an additional year in daycare or pre-K, which is expensive and not accessible for lower-income families.

How to Decide Whether to Redshirt Your Child

The decision to redshirt your child is a personal one and depends on many different factors related to your child’s needs and development. You know your child best and can make the decision that is best for them and your family. Some things to consider are your financial situation, your child’s physical, social, and emotional development, and your specific goals for redshirting.

Here are some tips for how to decide whether to redshirt your child:

Speak With Your Child’s Preschool Teacher

Talk to your child’s preschool or daycare teacher about your concerns and ask them whether they think redshirting is a good fit for your child. This can be helpful because they have insight into your child’s progress and should have a good idea of their readiness for kindergarten. Some questions to ask include: Do you think my child is ready to start kindergarten? Is there anything you see that would indicate that they would benefit from waiting another year?

Visit the Upcoming Kindergarten Class

Visiting the upcoming kindergarten class that the child would be joining can help you make the decision. This will allow you to get a feel for the classroom, the teacher, and what to expect from daily activities. Watching the children who are currently in the class can help you determine whether your child is developmentally at the same stage as other children at that age.

Watch Your Child Playing With Their Peers

The next time your child has a playdate, observe the children’s interactions. Some things to notice are how your child interacts with other children, whether your child is able to regulate their emotions, how your child responds to frustration, and whether you notice any developmental delays in your child compared to other kids their age.

Look at the Research

The decision of whether to redshirt your child can be a stressful one, and there is no one clear answer. Redshirting has both pros and cons and depends on the needs of each individual child. Looking through the most recent research when making your decision can help you weigh your options objectively rather than based on emotion.

Check Your Budget

Sometimes, you just have to be realistic and look at whether your budget can support another year of childcare. Childcare is expensive, and the choice to redshirt your child can create a significant expense. For many families, redshirting is not even an option for this reason. Being able to afford to make this choice is a luxury.

Talk to Your Child’s Doctor

If you are concerned that your child may not be ready for kindergarten physically, emotionally, or mentally due to developmental delays, talk to their doctor. Their doctor can give you an idea of whether they are on track with their growth and help you identify any potential problems. If there is a delay, this could be a reason to go ahead and start them in kindergarten.

Get a Developmental Assessment

If you and your child’s doctor feel that your child does have a developmental delay, ask for a referral for an assessment. This can help you get your child linked with services, including speech, occupational, or physical therapy. It may seem counterintuitive, but research shows that children with developmental delays do better when they start kindergarten on time and, thereby, have access to resources their kindergarten can provide.

Start Establishing Routines Now

Some parents worry about how their child will handle the change to routine when they start kindergarten. One way to address this is to start to establish these routines now and see how your child adapts. Establish a morning routine starting with the time they will need to get up. If they already have a routine due to daycare, this may not be a concern.

Alternatives to Redshirting Your Child

There are many reasons a parent may decide not to redshirt their child, such as they simply don’t want to or are unable to afford it. it doesn’t make sense for the child or the family. The good news is that there are alternative options that may give children some of the same advantages without delaying kindergarten.

Here are some alternative options to redshirting a child:

• Help your child practice reading and math
• Teach your child skills to regulate their emotions, such as deep breathing, drawing, or movement
• Talk to your pediatrician about therapy options if you suspect that your child may have a developmental delay
• Help your child develop independence at home by teaching them to do more things on their own
• Set and follow morning, evening, and mealtime routines
• Prioritize quality time with your child to help them feel secure, for example, having a snack and time together every day after school
• Start your child in kindergarten and have them repeat it if they aren’t ready to move on

In My Experience

In my experience, deciding whether to redshirt can be agonizing for a parent. Most parents want to do what’s best for their child and give them the best possible chance to succeed in life. There are advantages and disadvantages to redshirting, and the choice will depend on your child’s specific needs. I encourage parents to examine the research and talk to other professionals in order to help them decide.

While this is a big decision, it’s important to remember that, ultimately, it usually works out either way. As a parent, you know your child better than anyone and are in the best position to make this decision. Trust that you will make the best decision for your child and that you will be there to help them navigate the school years, no matter when they start kindergarten.