Dylan's big decision...

We're trying to decide whether to put Dylan in 'Advanced 5 Yr Old Pre-K' next year or whether to send him straight to Kindergarten. The Advanced Pre-K is at his current school. Of course Dylan does not like change. I mentioned to him that we're trying to decide about his school next year. Dylan said "I don't want to go to a new school. I want to stay at MY school." I said "I know you like the school you go to now." and I left it at that. Then Dylan just looked at me and said "Do you want to know why?" I was a little surprised that there was a specific reason and that he wanted to share it with me. I assumed he wanted to stay because it's what he's used to. I said "Why?" He goes "Because that's where the other Dylan goes." (There is another little boy in his class named Dylan and it's the kid that he likes the most). I said "What if the other Dylan goes to Kindergarten next year?" and he goes "Then I'll go!" Well, that was easy enough! :)

I was shocked! I guess his reason for wanting to stay in Pre-K again is because he wants to be in the same class as Dylan. And for months he's been saying that he does NOT want to go to Kindergarten and then out of no where he's like 'If Dylan's going, I'll go!'.

Now I need to talk to Dylan's mom and see where Dylan is going next year (just for curiosity sake). I don't know if they're even in the same school district - let alone be in the same class. But a lot of kids in Dylan's class will be going to the Advanced Pre-K. In a way it would be good for Dylan to spend another year with some of his current classmates, but at the same time, is it just delaying the inevitable? Will spending two years with a lot of the same kids make it even harder to transition to K? Is there a right or wrong decision or are we just making this harder than it is? I know it's not just me though, I know A LOT of parents trying to make this big decision.

I'm also going to talk to the other Dylan's mom about getting together for a playdate. It would be good for Dylan to get together outside of school with some of his classmates. Esp ones that might be in whichever class we choose to put him in next year. Even friendships at this young of an age can last a lifetime. I still have friends that I met in 2nd and 3rd grade and I know people who have friends who they've known since Kindergarten etc... It's amazing that at such a young age kids can often find other kids that they connect with. Dylan's pre-k evaluation is coming up. I want to ask his teacher which kids Dylan plays with.