"you're so mature for your age"

Mature by Hilary Duff

How is it mid August Reader?!

i want to flash back to "back to school 1995"

think the 101 Dalmatians backpack, a frito-lays snack pack in your lunchbox, and...

little Natalie marching into kindergarten a month shy of her 5th birthday

Yeah- you've got that right, I started kindergarten at age 4!

This was a BIG conversation for my parents. Especially since my godbrother, born two weeks apart from me, delayed his start by a year.

We grew up side by side and hit all the same milestones:

we both did "ok" in school (our older siblings were the geniuses),

we both drove Jeep Liberties in high school,

we both graduated college and perused higher education,

we both found our life partners,

and I'd like to think, we both live happy lives.

There's a million reasons why my mom sent me "early" and my godmother sent her son "late"

but it comes down to this: it depends on the child.

➡️ Flash forward: I grew up and became a kindergarten teacher.

For the first time, I heard how intense the discussion on a child's age was. I realized how difficult this decision must have been for my parents.

Yes- your child's age matters. They change so much from ages 4 to 6.

But it's not everything.

I taught kids that were "young" for their grade every day that astounded me.

I taught kids that were "old" and helped them with the same struggles everyone else in class had.

age / physical maturity are not the same as academic ability

The debate on the age your child goes to kindergarten has only gotten more extreme. On a daily basis I see statistics being weaponized on instagram. And people treating this decision like it's one size fits all.

When I founded Primary Focus, it quickly became my #1 one on one call with parents.

Should we delay our child's start to kindergarten?

I think about this all the time. I've read the studies. And the more I get into the weeds, the less clear the answer is.

And that my friends- is why I created:

THE K DELAY​

✏️ A program for families stuck wondering if their child is ready for kindergarten

The K Delay is a result of years of living, teaching, and researching this very question.

There's no conclusive answer, but there are strong clues if your kiddo is ready for school.

I'll teach you how to become an expert on your child to make this decision yourself.

What's New?

🍒 Foraging: Every August, Mike and I look forward to fig season! Our city is filled with wild fig trees. Our local park has three. Last weekend we made our classic arugula burrata fig salad. Yum!

🎟️ School Talk: I quietly posted my fall dates for the School Talk Workshop. This fall you can attend virtual or IRL

🗞️ Charlotte, NC friends: CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill was reinstated last night. We still don't know what happened, and may never find out. I'd write you a special edition newsletter- but there's not much to say!

Things I Love

👗 No Brainer: Y'all, TikTok shop got me on this one, but it's so good! I bought this classic black dress. It has ties in the back to make it fit perfectly. Perfect basic to dress up or down. I bought it in black, and I've got my eye is on the sky blue.

📚 Back to School Books: My favs for kids aged 4-6 starting Preschool, K, and 1st grade

• ​How do Dinosaurs go to School? (goofy and great to role play social scenarios / behavior)
• ​Pete the Cat Rocking in my School Shoes (great for Preschool or K)
• ​The Kissing Hand (great for separation anxiety)

What's your favorite back to school book?