Key Questions Asked:
- How do I know if my child is ready for school?
- What developmental areas are important for school?
- How can I encourage and prepare my child for school?
Differences between child care and school
- Size and layout of the classroom
- Fewer teachers to rely on
- The need to sit at a desk for longer periods
- Bigger playground and diverse ages of children
- New rules, routines and procedures
- Layout of the school i.e. the bathrooms
- New peer groups
- Wearing a school uniform
Essential skills necessary for entering school
- Play cooperatively with peers
- Follow a 2-3 step direction
- Work independently
- Share and take turns
- Initiate and maintain conversations
- Listen and concentrate
- Take care of own belongings
- Show empathy
- Be a functional member of a small group
- Follow rules
Factors determining school readiness
- Physical factors; Is your child tall or look older than others of the same age
- Independence; Your child's ability to perform self-help skills unaided
- Social Maturity; The way your child interacts with peers and other children
- Development; How proficient your child is in a number of developmental areas
Indicators your child may not be ready for school
- Social and emotional insecurity or immaturity
- Speech or language problems
- Difficulty in one or more areas of development
- Problems with attending/concentrating skills or behaviour
- Unable to manage social situations involving problem solving
- Being significantly younger than most other children in the class
Seven Developmental areas important for starting school
1. Social: Turn taking, sharing, following rules, listening to group times
2. Emotional: Self confident, shows empathy, separates easily
3. Physical: Run, climb, balance, well coordinated, throw and catch a ball
4. Fine Motor: Draws, uses scissors, uses pincer grip, shows handedness
5. Language: Answer questions, maintains conversation, follow directions
6. Cognitive: Sorts, knows shapes, colours, can count, write own name
7. Self help: Toileting independently, looks after belongings, tidies up
How can you prepare your child for school
- Talking with your child about school and what it will be like
- Visiting the school and reflecting on what it was like
- Reading books about starting school
- Listening to children's expectations about school
- Encouraging your child's natural curiosity
- Making everyday things an exploration of language
Summary
- Children respond and react differently to starting school
- They may be ready but it will take time to adjust to the changes
- It is hard to predict how they will react and cope initially
- Decisions to hold a child back should not be taken lightly and all areas of development should be considered
- Support and reassure your child that it will be a happy and positive experience
