IS MY CHILD READY FOR SCHOOL?

As parents many of us struggle with the idea of whether we are doing the right thing by sending our child off to school or preschool or keeping them back for another year. What we have to realise is that every child is an individual ? each has strengths and weaknesses and each develops at a different rate.

There are a number of factors that we need to look at.  Until the age of 7, children continue to have wide variations in their development. There is no one quality or skill that children need to do well in school, but a combination of things contributes to success. These include good health and physical well-being, social and emotional maturity, language skills, an ability to solve problems and think creatively, and general knowledge about the world.

Research from the US Department of Education recommends that as you go about helping your child develop in each of these areas, remember:
  ?  Children develop at different rates, and
  ?  Most children are stronger in some areas than in others.

Remember, too, that being ready for school depends partly on what the school expects. One school may think it's very important for children to sit quietly and know the alphabet. Another may believe it's more important for children to get along well with others.

Children who match the school's expectations may be considered better prepared. You may want to visit your child's school to learn what the principal and teachers expect and discuss any areas of disagreement.

American research has found that more than half of teachers surveyed rated the following as essential to school readiness:
  ?  Vision, hearing and dental problems are detected and addressed.
  ?  A child knows his name and has a basic awareness of self, family and community.
  ?  A child can follow basic rules and routines.

It may be useful to ask yourself some of the following questions:

Without your help, can your child -
  ?  Use the toilet
  ?  Wash their hands
  ?  Tie shoes
  ?  Do up buttons, zips etc
  ?  Eat unassisted
  ?  Put toys away when asked

For more information on school readiness visit Early Childhood Australia by clicking here