How to Determine if a Child is Ready for School
Determining When Children are Socially and Emotionally Prepared
Jul 28, 2009
A child has turned five years old and fall is just around the corner. He loved preschool and seems ready to take the plunge into Kindergarten, but still his parents wonder if he is ready for school. Sometimes the child is curious, independent and out-going while other times he is shy, needy and won’t let his parents out of his sight. Is a child ready to start school just because he is old enough?
Important Points Parents Should Know
Experts at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Early Education and Development believe that age is not the only requirement for a child to begin school. While some children may be ready physically and developmentally, some may not be socially or emotionally ready and need that extra year at home or in preschool to prepare for the big adjustment into Kindergarten. But how do parents judge if their child is ready?
Parents need to remember that all children develop at different rates. Just because a neighbor’s child is ready for school at age five doesn’t mean all children are ready at that age. Consideration for the time of year a child is born should also be taken into account. A child who turns five years old in January may be ready to start school compared to a child who has a summer birthday. It is surprising how much difference a few months can make.
A child’s emotional and physical abilities as well as how capable he is taking care of his own personal needs should also be considered. Considering all these factors is important before deciding if a child is ready for school.
Social and Emotional Development
Between the ages of five and six, children are ready to explore new friendships and activities outside the home without parents being with them for several hours a day. School is much different than home or day-care because in school the student to teacher ratio is much higher and children receive less attention and need to be more self-sufficient. For this reason there are certain social and behavioral skills children should possess.
- Control of their behavior. Children should be past temper tantrums and not argue constantly with teachers or peers. They should have an understanding of what is right and wrong in terms of associating with other children. Actions such as hitting, throwing objects or intentionally hurting another child should be recognized as unacceptable behavior by the child.
- Ability to calm down when necessary. All young children get excited when something new or fun happens but children should understand there is a time to be noisy and a time to be quiet and listen. Teachers cannot teach if children don't settle down and be quiet.
- Sharing. School-ready children should understand the concept of sharing and be able to play together with other children without constant conflict.
- Ability to approach another adult for help. Children who are ready for school should be able to approach their teacher for help or to ask questions.
- Ability to stay calm when things go wrong. This skill is the beginning of problem solving. Children who can calmly go on without getting upset when someone knocks over their milk or colors on their paper can cope better than those who fall to pieces.
Sometimes children may be fine while in school but become emotional or clingy when they get home. The transition of beginning school is tough for some children but they soon learn to adapt. If their emotional behavior continues parents may want to consult their pediatrician.
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