Red-Shirting Kids | Schools

     The word is commonly associated with college athletics.

     An athlete is red-shirted when they are held out of their sport for a year allowing them to grow and perform at a higher level by gaining an extra year to compete.

     Now it’s become a trend with our children.

     A psychologist tells us the trend of holding kids back to give them a competitive edge in athletics has been on the rise.

     Dr. Jennifer White Baughan says the number of kids being held back has tripled since the 70s, "The question is what kind of balance. Do we have in this country on the actual value added that we are giving to our children when we are moving them ahead?"

     Research does show, if a child is to be held back, the ideal time is kindergarten or 1st grade.