Is my Child Ready for School?
As 2023 approaches, many students will commence their formal education with North Shore Coaching College. This may be in our pre-school, pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten classes.
It is vital that these new students make a successful start to what will be a life-long journey of learning. In order to make a successful start, a student must be ‘ready’ for the challenges that formal learning brings. Your child’s readiness to undertake formal learning can be easily assessed by asking yourself the following questions:
1. Is my child comfortable around new people?
While we can all feel a little shy when meeting new people, it is important that your child is able to do so without becoming withdrawn or overly emotional. If your child is still quite emotional when meeting new people (both adults and children), try to build their social circle prior to enrolling. This will help prevent unnecessary social anxiety and allow them to focus their efforts on learning.
2. Does my child suffer from ‘separation anxiety’?
All children have the capacity to be a little teary the first time they leave mum or dad for ‘big school’. Any emotional upset should be mild and resolve itself within half an hour. If your child screams, refuses to physically let you go or lashes out at the teacher then your child has separation issues, that need to be considered. In extreme cases where the child becomes distraught/inconsolable, then it may be necessary to seek the advice of your paediatrician.
A distraught child can have a negative impact on the other children who may be feeling a little emotional and on the teacher trying to establish a positive learning environment.
To boost your child’s capacity for separation, you may need to leave them for additional short periods of time with trusted adults. This way they will see that their fears are groundless.
3. Does my child share?
with others which includes sharing pencils, scissors, toys, books and the teacher’s time. Students must understand that others have needs and they may need to wait to have their own needs satisfied. If your child has difficulty with sharing your time, it is important that you do not allow them to interrupt your conversations/interactions with others – making them wait a minute or two will teach them that others have needs and that you are not their ‘property’.
4. Does my child interact verbally?
It is important that students respond with ‘good morning’ or ‘hello’ when others greet them and they willingly answer questions from the teacher. To prepare your child encourage them to respond to simple, verbal interactions with neighbours and shopkeepers, etc. A simple ‘hello’ is a good beginning.
5. Is my child as mature as others of the same age?
I definitely do not wish to encourage comparisons between children, but in this regard, comparison is warranted. If your child does not appear to be as socially and emotionally capable around other children of the same age, they may not be ready to undertake more formalised learning.
6. What is my ‘gut-feeling’?
How do you INSTINCTIVELY feel about your child’s state of readiness? As a parent you know them better than anyone else. If you believe your child is not ready then trust your gut instinct. This is especially true for male children who can mature at a slower rate than females in terms of social/emotional skills & competencies.
No credible research indicates that pushing children to start early will have long-term benefits to social or academic development. In fact, the opposite is more likely the case. Especially for males, starting too young may have detrimental effects on psychosocial development as evidenced in the 2017 study undertaken by the University of Exeter (to cite just one of the many studies).
7. How independent is my child?
In a formal learning setting, each student is required to possess a high degree of independence in terms of toileting, eating, dressing, etc. Your child needs to be able to go to the toilet and indeed have the confidence to ask to go to the toilet. Whilst teachers will assist students with tying shoes, opening juice poppers and the like, students should be capable of basics in this regard.
It is important your child knows which container is for ‘little lunch’ and which is for ‘big lunch’.
8. How organised is my child?
In order to prepare for the challenges of the formal class setting, it is a good idea to teach your child how to pack their school bags. Talk with them as to why the various items are necessary such as the pencil case, drink bottle and jumper. Let them practise packing and unpacking whilst they explain the process to you.
9. How focused is my child?
In order to be ready for formal school, your child should show engagement with an activity that is appropriate for their age/level of development. Examples of appropriate length of engagement could be an episode of Paw Patrol, completing a drawing, listening to a story from a picture book or finish looking independently through a picture book they like.
10. Is my child academically prepared?
Please do not attempt to over-prepare your child. They do not need to know all their sound combinations, sight words or mathematical concepts. This is why you are enrolling them! Teachers will develop skills & competencies appropriate to your child’s needs. A child that has been subjected to rote learning may have holes in their understandings that will surface later on and end up slowing down their learning journey.
11. Does my child have special needs?
If an educator, friend or paediatrician has indicated that your child has special needs, it is vital that a thorough clinical assessment is undertaken. This is not done so that a label may be attached to your child. It is done so that any condition is recognised and they can receive the educational support that will allow them to realise their potential. Being told your child has special needs can be devastating but your love for your child will overpower the initial shock.
I have seen numerous cases where parents feel that by ignoring a strong concern or formal diagnosis the issue will simply go away. This is never the case. All that will happen is that valuable time will be lost for your child. They will not get the strong and appropriate start to their learning journey that they need. Additionally, if your child’s educator becomes aware that you failed to provide information that would make them a more effective teacher then the teacher-parent trust relationship can be damaged.
We are always available to discuss your concerns and offer advice in relation to all aspects of your child’s education journey.
May I take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season.
Tony Hanlon
National Deputy Principal
