“We want all children to enter school ready to thrive, flourish and enjoy the challenges – rather than merely just coping – we are taking the issue of school readiness more seriously and carefully.” – Kathy Walker, Education Consultant
Choosing the right time for your child to start school is a significant decision that has an impact on your child’s whole school experience. For some parents, this isn’t all that simple.
In this article, our Director, Nicole, shares some advice given to parents of Kenmore West Kindy earlier this year.
Suppose you are unsure about your child starting school or would like to provide them with the opportunity to develop and mature further. In this case, you may want to consider an additional year of kindergarten for your child.
Please do not view this as “holding your child back”; instead, consider this a gift of time to grow and develop, and allow your child the opportunity to reach their full potential.
There is evidence to show many children benefit from waiting an extra year to grow, mature and develop. Across our country, there is inconsistency with the school starting age; in some states, the children start school when they are five and will be turning six.
Queensland’s eligible school-age population is young compared to other states. School is only compulsory for children from the age of 6 years and 6 months.
In my past experience, I have witnessed families eager for their children to start school, and many have made decisions based on age rather than readiness, only to regret not taking the advice to wait another year.
I have never met a family that regrets waiting a year.
Do you want your child to go to school and cope, or do you want them to thrive? If your child will be only four when starting school, I encourage parents to consider their options. Meeting with parents, kindergarten teachers can address parents’ concerns and offer advice on readiness for their child.
I have included some points below for your consideration.
Kathy Walker is an education consultant, early childhood expert and an advocate for children starting school when they are ready. “Readiness is really mostly about emotional and social maturity – aspects of development that we cannot fast-track. We cannot make a child who lacks the necessary maturity mature.”
“When to start your child at school is a major decision for parents,” she says, “and understandably because parents, and the school, want their children to thrive and to flourish and not struggle to keep up and on top of things. “What I tell parents is that there’s no need to rush – children are going to be at school for a long time, so let’s ensure they are great years.”
Kathy stresses that school readiness is not about being able to read or write, know colours or count. “These skills will be taught at school, so they are not a priority for starting school,” she says.
The key areas of maturity and development are the social and emotional areas, says Kathy. While reluctant to have parents tick off a checklist, Kathy has provided some valuable questions to assess school readiness:
- Can your child make an independent decision and follow through on this?
- Does your child have ideas of their own?
- Can your child follow two or three instructions at the same time?
- Can your child move on to new activities easily?
- Does your child separate well from their carer?
- Does your child show interest in other children?
- Does your child interact with other children?
- Can your child recognise and express their feelings and needs?
- Can your child concentrate on a task?
- How does your child manage frustration?
- Can your child solve conflicts without adult support?
Finally, parents know their children best. Often, you may have the knowledge to make the best decisions for your child; you may just need the time to discuss this with your child’s kindergarten teacher as well. We welcome these discussions at any stage.
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Photos by the incredible www.aleishagrace.com