Introduction
Children develop at different speeds. Nevertheless, there are certain requirements that children should meet before they start school. A child should have certain abilities in terms of language development, social behavior and motor skills.
It is important that children can express themselves clearly before they start school. They should be able to express their wishes and needs in words. In terms of social behavior, it is helpful if a child is able to follow rules and concentrate for several minutes before schooling. It is easier for the child to settle into everyday school life if he or she is able to fit into a group and perceive the feelings of peers.
General information
When they start school, children should also have fine and gross motor skills. This includes independent dressing and undressing and the holding and use of pens, scissors and other craft utensils. At school age, a child should be able to jump over a rope with both legs at the same time, do a jumping jack and jump on one leg. Whether a child is ready for school enrollment is determined with the school enrollment test (see below). A school enrollment test playfully checks how far the child has developed in various areas.
What is done during the enrollment test?
Prior to school enrollment, children take a school enrollment test to determine whether a child is ready for school. Parents receive an invitation from the responsible health department or the child’s future school. The test can take place in the kindergarten, in the future elementary school or at the responsible health office.
The school enrollment test includes medical examinations that examine the child’s eyesight, hearing, weight and height, and teeth. The child’s blood pressure is measured and the child’s sense of balance and motor skills such as hand-eye coordination are tested. The vaccination card is also used to check the child’s vaccination status.
The school enrollment test is a playful test that is adapted to the child’s development. The test includes an examination of the child’s language development. For example, spoken word completion is played.
The examiner gives the child a unique word that is missing an important letter and the child is asked to recite the correct word. For example, one says “elephant” and the child has to say “elephant”. The social behavior of the child is also examined and observed.
For example, the child is asked to name their favorite friends in kindergarten and questions are asked about their friends. For example, whether they will go to the same elementary school. The child is asked to give his or her address and birthday.
Furthermore, figurative painting is observed. The examiner asks the child to paint a male or a house with a tree. A five to six year old child should be able to paint the proportions and geometric shapes correctly.
For example, that the tree is smaller than the house and that the man is in turn smaller than the tree. The child should have a certain understanding of colors and shapes. For example, he should draw a red triangle or a green circle.
The examiner also checks that the child understands the difference between singular and plural. This can be checked in a playful way by asking whether one or more animals are shown on a picture in a book. The child is also asked directly whether he or she would like to go to school. The result of the school entry test is often discussed with the parents personally on the same day.
