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November 29, 2019

72 Comments

We constantly talk about ‘school readiness’ but what does it actually mean?

With the school year drawing to a close, and a new class of kids preparing to start school in 2020, the debate about when to send your child to school is on again. There’s an argument for every side. If you send them early, you’ll be extending them, if you send them later, you give them a chance to gain confidence first. It seems you just can’t win. So when is the right time to send your child to school and is it the same for everybody?

An Overwhelming Time

Starting primary school is an overwhelming time for any child, and for parents too it can be a difficult transition. ‘School readiness’ is not about academic ability necessarily, but refers instead to the knowledge, skills and behaviours children need to be able to adjust to the demands of the school environment.
Children who are school ready are:

  • Able to get along with other children
  • Able to follow instructions and directions from teachers
  • Able to cope with minimal adult contact in a large group
  • Able to speak clearly and communicate their needs
  • Able to demonstrate fine and gross motor skills like running, jumping, holding a pencil etc.
  • Able to independently go to the toilet, carry their bag and manage their belongings

More Than Just A Number

For kids born at the very start or end of the calendar year, the options are a little less flexible. If you turn 5 in December, chances are you’ll be starting school in February bang on schedule. For those born in the middle of the year however, they can start school at 4 1/2, 5/12 and in the case of some kids, 6 years of age. It really comes down to the judgement of parents.

Can you see your child heading off to school in a uniform, with a school bag and homework and responsibilities? If the answer is no, and they’re not quite at school age yet, perhaps it’s worth considering another year at pre-school to give them the best chance of success.

How did you know when it was time to send your children to school? Tell us in the comments.

 

 

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  • My eldest was ready for grade 1 at age 3. She was reading and spelling words such as Elephant. I tried to get her into school early but it was a no go.

    Reply

  • My daughter is in childcare/pre school at the moment and absolutely hates it. She doesn’t like being told what to do – if they’re doing craft/drawing and she hasn’t finished and they have to move onto the next activity she will start crying. I’m hoping she will get better with time but I think she’s a bit of a perfectionist and likes to finish things off.

    Reply

  • Does it really matter what a parent thinks? It’s more what the law states as to when kids start school, ready or not

    Reply

  • Go with your gut. If you’re not sure, discuss it with your child’s educator / teacher

    Reply

  • I knew it was time when the government said “kindergarten enrolments for children who are 4 and turning 5 next year are now open.” The only other thing of importance on the list of readiness was that your child needed to be completely self sufficient in the toilet department. I don’t think my first born would have ever been school ready, he would happily have been home schooled. My second born couldn’t wait to start! My first would cry at bring left behind, at the same time my second would cry at being taken home. She would have preferred staying at school at age 1 with her brother.

    Reply

  • Pre-school got too boring for them, they wanted to start writing stories etc and got sick of playing with sand. They got along well with their peers & could communicate clearly.

    Reply

  • My youngest is 6yrs old, has down Syndrome and will repeat Prep. From this list she’s only able to get along with other children. The rest of this list would indicate she isn’t ready and may never be ready lol !
    Able to get along with other children
    Able to follow instructions and directions from teachers
    Able to cope with minimal adult contact in a large group
    Able to speak clearly and communicate their needs
    Able to demonstrate fine and gross motor skills like running, jumping, holding a pencil etc.
    Able to independently go to the toilet, carry their bag and manage their belongings
    Don’t take this list too literally !!

    Reply

  • the day care teachers help in understanding about your kid’s progress… speak to them :)

    Reply

  • Yep I’m holding back my eldest. Age had come a long way in the last 12 months, but emotionally I don’t think she will be ready for school next year. She has struggled with proper communication and we are working on that with professional help, but she is still behind.

    Reply

  • Interesting article

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  • I thought she was ready and the kinder teacher confirmed it.

    Reply

  • My daughter starts Prep next year.
    I feel we could have started her last year as she is very intelligent. She did need the extra time to become emotionally prepared.

    Reply

  • My daughter will be 5.5 when she starts in 2021 (July baby). So individual to each child – no one can determine it but you and your child

    Reply

  • I started school when I was four turning five in Feb. It was very ready for school.

    Reply

  • If any doubt, opt for a later start. It is not only starting school when social problems can crop up but also much later, even in the latter stages of school when all the peers are one year older. Scandinavian countries have a later start for their kids and it seems to work very well for them.

    Reply

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