5yr old boy heading to kindergarden

[Tuscanmama]

My 5yr old son is heading to kindergarden. He's socially ready, but has zero interest in his ABC's and 123's. I mean zero interest. He avoids trying to write his name at all costs (and just gives me this blank stare of defeat before we even get started.) I've also noticed an increase in stuttering lately. I've heard of benchmarks for entering kids into kindergarden but am confused. From some people I hear that K is just a social program, but from others I hear that by the time they enter K they should be able to count to 20, repeat their abc's and be able to write his/her name. Can someone clarrify for me a realistic benchmark for kindergarden? At what age do you start wondering if your child has a learning disability? Should I be concerned when his Montessori teacher says he might just learn differently than others? or should I play this off the fact that he's only 5? I don't know how seriously to take all this. My mommy instinct says there might be a delay and if that's the case I obviously want to get on track. I don't know what to think or do. Any advice?

[jdtm]

Another option - can your son start kindergarten in January or February?  In our school district, kindergarten is optional and children can start any time they wish (of course the officials do not make this known because funding is tied to enrollment).  If your son does learn "differently", then 1 1/2 years in kindergarten might be a wise choice for him (and today kindergarten is academic as well as social - your school district should be able to give you the benchmarks for academics as they do vary from area to area).  By the way, stuttering is a behaviour common to children dealing with anxiety issues - is this your son's way of saying "he just not ready"?  Just questioning ....