Parenting Guides

Millions of parents have the same question every year,” Is my child ready to start Kindergarten? Ready to move on to the next grade?” Normal development in the early elementary years varies widely.

For a child’s readiness for school is based not only on their age and intellectual readiness, but also on their physical, emotional and social maturity. No child will excel in all five areas. Parents must assess each child’s capabilities as a whole. The question of school readiness is complex, whether a child on the immature end of the developmental curve, educationally, physically, socially, or emotionally, should move on or repeat an early grade.

For starters, look at what the child can do. How far can the child count? Can the child recognise his/her own name? Does the child know any letters of the alphabet? Is the child starting to try to write? If you say yes to all, or even some, of these, chances are your child can start school.
If you have child in preschool, the teachers there can tell you if they think your child is ready for school. If you have a preschool aged child who is not in preschool, it is highly recommend it. It gets the child used to being left, being with other kids, learning, etc.

Many preschools and kindergartens will help you assess your child’s school readiness, and you should ask for a formal assessment. Some children adjust better when they wait until age six to start school. If you do make the decision to wait a year, you should definitely enroll him in an educational pre-K program to build his skills during this important learning year.

Don’t be too concerned if your child has a few signs of immaturity. This is an age when he will learn a lot. If the school atmosphere is warm and flexible and active, he will most likely fit right in. A decision to delay kindergarten may be made early in the school year also, so you and the teacher have a few weeks to assess any problems that arise.

There are five factors which influence school success, they are :
1. Age
2. Intellectual
3. Physical
4. Emotional
5. Social

Basically, trust your instincts. Only you know your child best so if you really do not think he/she is ready for school then wait another year. But if you think they are ready, go for it. Once the child is in school, and you’ve had your cry, both your child and you will enjoy it.

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