Education: The Redshirt Solution

Kathy and Jeff Hewson of Ocean Township, N.J., faced a tough decision. Their son Christopher had turned five and was eligible to enter kindergarten. Christopher had already spent two years at nursery school, but its director felt he was "developmentally young." She recommended that kindergarten be delayed; the Hewsons agreed; and a year later they could not be happier with their choice. Christopher, who started kindergarten in September, is now a secure, energetic little boy who plays easily with his peers. "By keeping our son back last year, we gave him a gift," says Kathy. "We allowed him to be a...