To the Editor: Re “A Year Without Kindergartners” (front page, Aug. 8): As a pediatrician serving a very diverse urban, suburban and rural population of families, I see the devastating effects of a year without meaningful instruction on the youngest school-age children.
At least half of my kindergarten-through-third-grade patients are six months to a year behind, based on my evaluations. The implications are huge: Kids who can’t read competently by the end of third grade are handicapped in their ability to succeed in school.
I encourage families to read to their children daily and share their concerns about kids falling behind and becoming discouraged.