Introduction
In principle, children who have reached the age of six are considered ready for school. However, the decision on whether a child should be enrolled in school is not always that easy. Some parents worry whether their child is really ready for school. There are a few aspects that can be used to determine whether a child is ready for school.
How can I tell if my child is ready for school?
A child is ready for school when he can express himself in words and demand his needs and has certain social as well as motor and mental abilities. That a child can formulate wishes and needs and words shows the child’s language development. A child is only ready for school when he can say what he wants and needs.
The following points provide indications of language development: The child writes his own name and simple words The child hears letters from individual words and shows interest in them The child notices that words like “mouse” and “house” rhyme Apart from language development, the child’s social behavior plays an important role It helps the child to adjust to the new situation and class if he is able to follow simple rules. You can tell that your child is ready for school if he or she can keep quiet and concentrated for half an hour and can fit into a group. A child should perceive the feelings of other children in a group.
In addition, a child should be able to accept a “no” now and then and to endure conflicts. Cognitive skills should also be present so that a child integrates well in school. Concentration is particularly important.
I can tell whether my child has concentration skills if he is able to concentrate calmly for twenty or thirty minutes. In addition, a child should have certain motor skills to be fit for school. He should be able to get dressed and use utensils such as scissors and pens without any problems.
I recognize that my child is ready for school when he or she has gross motor skills, is able to balance, do a puppet show and jump over something with both legs at the same time. All these points mentioned regarding language development, social behavior and motor skills are signs that your child is ready for school.
- The child writes his own name and simple words
- The child hears letters from individual words and shows interest in them
- The child notices that words like “mouse” and “house” rhyme
A child should have certain fine and gross motor skills before starting school.
This supports the child’s independence significantly. If a child has a certain amount of physical control, he or she can perform more tasks without help. Essential examples of schooling are independent dressing and undressing and climbing stairs.
These are motor skills that a child needs at school. In addition, some motor skills are required to enable the child to participate in class. A child should be able to use the necessary work utensils.
In elementary school, this means that a child should be able to hold a pencil properly and use scissors or a glue stick. Balance and coordination can be tested by asking the child to jump, balance, do a one-legged stand and jumping jacks. If a child has motor deficits here and there, these can be trained.
With patience and confidence, you can help the child to climb stairs on his or her own or dress himself or herself. In order for a child to be ready for school, it should have certain cognitive skills. It is important that your child is able to concentrate on one thing for at least ten to twenty minutes.
Language development also plays a major role. Your child should be able to communicate its wishes and needs. It is important that a child can say what he or she needs.
An understanding of language is equally important. A child should understand what the teacher and classmates want to say to him and respond appropriately. It is very important that a child understands the teacher’s instructions at school, as this is a prerequisite for the implementation of the tasks.
A child is ready for school when he knows the things and creatures of his environment and can name them. He should be able to formulate in clear sentences what he wants to say.Hearing and seeing are also important skills. A child should be able to differentiate between sounds and to put together a simple puzzle.
Pictures and figures, for example memory, and simple songs and rhymes are suitable for testing memory and retention. A child should be able to memorize simple rhymes and correctly assign pictures to memory. Another cognitive ability is the ability to think.
A child should be able to recognize simple actions and describe them in words. A child should also be able to recognize and name the essential shapes and basic colors. Before a child goes to school, he should learn to be able to give his name and age on request.
Furthermore, the child should be able to count to ten. The above-mentioned points are only signs by which one can tell whether a child has the necessary mental abilities for school. All children are different and, with regard to different aspects, are different in their speed and slow in their development.
If the child has difficulties in certain points, these can usually be trained very well. In order to get along well in school, it is important that a child can fit into a group. In a group, a child should show empathy for other children, be helpful and have fun playing with other children.
In a group there are sometimes conflicts, so a child should be able to endure and resolve a conflict. For example, rules of the game should be understood and accepted. In addition, a child should also be able to follow rules from the teacher and if necessary accept a “no” from time to time.