School readiness

School readiness is often described as children reaching a good level of development in the prime areas and the schools requirements ie. be able to balance between schools requirements and their own development.

All researchers agree that the optimal period for starting school education is when the child reaches the age of 6-7. At the same time, representatives of the Viennese school pointed out that the most important factor determining the possibility of a child taking up education – is a certain level of not only intellectual development but also a child’s social development.

Later, physical maturity also emerged. The basic needs being good health, having a good immune system and is not showing constant signs of fatigue, efficient sensory and articulation organs as well as general motor and fine skills which can be then used to have good coordination and visual-auditory memory. It is also important to be able to balance our emotions as it is key to our mental and emotional development. Mental development is being able to communicate and understand others.

Furthermore, children who are well prepared and learning to read and write can analyse and piece together visual and auditory information. Expressing emotional and social maturity can be shown through independence, creativity, the willingness and ability to establish contacts with peers and teachers, and the ability to adapt to new environments. In most cases, children, that will be starting school have a positive mindset to venue responsibility students. Some students don’t find it as easy to adapt to the role of a student.

The most important criteria for establishing whether a child is ready to go to school are the level of speech and thinking, concentration on a task, memory skills, perseverance, their ability to interact with others, the ability to perform tasks with peers, understanding symbols. It is also important that they are able to use their fine motor skills well and express their thoughts and understand concepts. We should teach our children; routines, independence, and responsibility.