Should I hold her back

I beg to differ with the comment "first grade doesn't mean that much anyway" because this is the start of getting her ready for following rules in the classroom, having time limits, and learning her socialbility with others in what is to come in each grade and beyond. I do agree though that mothers have the best instinct, and if you feel in your heart that she's just not ready, then keep her back and start working with her on the first grade education so she'l feel more confident when she does start. You can get practice worksheets from one of the school's 1st grade teachers and copy them so that she can work on them over and over. Repitician is the best learning tool for young minds. You could even go to Walmart and get a 1st grade book in the craft section to have her work on. Good luck.

I would ask yourself if you feel that she should be held back. Consider her social ability for her age. Can she communicate on the level of to-be first graders and do you feel she can do what is going to be expected of her in the 1st grade. (you can ask a 1st grade teacher this)If it helps... I have a 9 yr old son who we started in pre-k (which was technically early kindergarden) at age 3 1/2 due to he was already doing things a kindergardner would do by working with him on my own over the summers prior and he was socially ready. When that year was over we had the option of having go on to 1st grade or have him continue on with Kindergarden. (this would be somewhat of a repeat for him but with another teacher)We chose not to have him go on to 1st because we and the teacher figured this way he'd be perfecting things that would be expected of him in 1st grade and he wouldn't have a hard time with his 1st grade classwork which others have had when moved on. This was the best dicission because he ended up being in the top of his class kinder-2nd grade and is doing very well still.

I would -- generally that little voice in your head is 99.9% accurate. Better to error on the side of caution & better to do it now then later. If she isn't ready for the rigor of the next grade & you are comfortable with it, it's a done deal in my mind.

I would. My boys are teens now but if I had to do it over again, even in the 9th grade, I would have held my son back. It's an emotional roller coaster when they just don't get it. If you feel she's going to have a tough time, the early years of school should be her best. Just let her know that everyone is different and we all learn at a different pace. She had personal issues to deal with before this whole "education" stuff. She has so many years ahead of her. First grade really doesn't matter that much.