Typical Reasons a Child Would Repeat Kindergarten

Behavioral Reasons

• Adjusting to life in kindergarten can be hard for children who struggle to stay in their seats and pay attention to the teacher, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Problems with a child's behavior or maturity level might be among the primary reasons a teacher suggests that a child repeat kindergarten. This is an opportunity for parents to ask for specific examples of a child's behavior at school, and how frequently these behaviors occur.

Academic Reasons

• While little ones might be able to pay attention in class and obey a teacher's commands, they might struggle with classwork. Problems completing work or difficulty understanding class material are typical reasons that a child repeat kindergarten, according to KidsHealth. Children can have difficulty in a range of subjects or they might struggle in a particular area such as reading. Enlisting the help of a tutor or getting extra attention in class or at home before the school year ends might help a child advance to the next grade along with her classmates.

Other Problems

• Not all children repeat kindergarten because of behavioral or academic problems. Other issues can arise, including chronic illness or an accident, which prevents a child from attending school consistently, according to KidsHealth. A child might fall so far behind at school that advancing him to the next grade would leave him unprepared.

Additional Information

• If your child's teacher, principal or school counselor think that repeating a grade might be the best option, consider alternatives. Tutoring programs during the school year and summer can be beneficial, as well as spending more time with your child on assignments. You can also ask your child's teacher or pediatrician about what you can do to solve any problems hindering your child's academic progress. Repeating kindergarten can help your child master skills in her own time frame before taking on new ones.