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(2)Physical Maturity
Although this is not a very sound measurement, it may be a gauge for some if their child is very small compared to others.  Examining your child’s gross and fine motor skill ability may give you some insight as to whether or not they are ready for the rigors of physical education class and recess with 50 other students or if they will be able to keep up with the writing, cutting and other small hand muscle tasks used extensively in school.

(3)Academic Skills

I personally think that this is the least significant measure.  Some children have been able to “crack the code” of written language by age four and are able to read primer texts.  Other children arrive on the first day of school not even recognizing sight words.  Regardless, most end up about in the same place by Christmas vacation or certainly by the end of the Kindergarten school year through regular work with the teacher supported by the parents.

My personal opinion is that if you are unsure about your child’s readiness, keep him/her home for one more year.  In my experience, it is better for a child to be the oldest in the class rather than the youngest.  As I look back on past students, I see many examples of students who were admitted early and continue to struggle to keep up with their peers.  I am specifically referring to a young college lady who continues to be emotionally a step behind her peers.  The calls home crying for advice, complaining about professors, and not being able to decide on a major after four years in college, indicate she just isn’t ready to be at the stage she is living.
 
In addition, another student who was kept home an additional year, is thriving as a leader in his class and is emotionally at the same age as his classmates.  Comparing him to the group of students in the class ahead of him, it is easy to see that he just isn’t in the same place that they are.
 
While there are no studies that can provide tools to determine absolute readiness, there is one expert to whom you can go – your child’s teacher.  Listen closely to the advice your child’s teacher is giving throughout the school year.  If necessary, look for opportunities to provide emotional, physical and academic enrichment outside of the school day.
 
And though it is almost impossible for most parents to do, I encourage you to look at your child objectively and consider what is best for their overall development in the long run.
 
Margaret Anderson is the mother of three teenagers and a middle school teacher somewhere in the Midwest.  She is a regular ShareWIK.com columnist.
 
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