Is my child ready for school?
Is my child ready for school in September?
Many parents and guardians are concerned about the right age at which to send their children to school.
It is not the age of the child that matters as much as their stage of overall development.
Just because a child has turned four this does not necessarily mean they are ready for school the following September. Waiting another year could be the best thing you do for your child in the short term and indeed longer term. Starting school is a very big step for your small boy or girl. If you have any doubts about their readiness, you may want to consider waiting until the following September.
Your child must be ready socially and emotionally, not just academically.
A child with the ability to take turns, express their needs clearly, and interact well with adults and other children, is much more prepared for school than a child who can sing the alphabet and count to 20, but who becomes very upset easily or who cannot put on his/her coat without help.
Here are a few key questions to ask:
Remember that children do not have to be able to read and write, spell, count etc when going to school, they will learn all these things at school. However, reading to your child as much as you can and completing simple jigsaws and puzzle activities will greatly support them in their learning at school. Good oral language is vital for your child also. Asking them questions about their environment, and getting them to answer in full sentences will also greatly support their literacy.
(The above is adapted from www.smarteducation.ie/is-my-child-ready-for-school.php)
A longer but also useful guide with many other tips can be accessed below
https://www.into.ie/ROI/Publications/TipsforParents/2018_Tips_Eng.pdf
Some recent articles on the subject in Irish media are also available here...
https://www.independent.ie/life/family/learning/whats-the-right-age-to-start-school-29958587.html
www.irishtimes.com/news/education/what-is-the-right-age-to-start-your-child-in-primary-school-1.2976748
Many parents and guardians are concerned about the right age at which to send their children to school.
It is not the age of the child that matters as much as their stage of overall development.
Just because a child has turned four this does not necessarily mean they are ready for school the following September. Waiting another year could be the best thing you do for your child in the short term and indeed longer term. Starting school is a very big step for your small boy or girl. If you have any doubts about their readiness, you may want to consider waiting until the following September.
Your child must be ready socially and emotionally, not just academically.
A child with the ability to take turns, express their needs clearly, and interact well with adults and other children, is much more prepared for school than a child who can sing the alphabet and count to 20, but who becomes very upset easily or who cannot put on his/her coat without help.
Here are a few key questions to ask:
- Can my child speak clearly and be understood by strangers?
- Is my child able to express their needs, e.g. ask to go to the toilet?
- Can my child put on and take off his or her coat, shoes independently etc.?
- Can my child manage a lunch box, open a yoghurt carton or pour a drink?
- Can my child go to the toilet and wash their hands?
- Is my child able to wait patiently a few minutes before or after an activity?
- Can my child take turns at an activity/game without becoming upset?
- Can my child sit quietly and listen to a story?
- Can my child understand basic concepts such as little/large, heavy/light, under/over?
- Is my child able to sort and match objects?
- Can my child follow a basic sequence?
Remember that children do not have to be able to read and write, spell, count etc when going to school, they will learn all these things at school. However, reading to your child as much as you can and completing simple jigsaws and puzzle activities will greatly support them in their learning at school. Good oral language is vital for your child also. Asking them questions about their environment, and getting them to answer in full sentences will also greatly support their literacy.
(The above is adapted from www.smarteducation.ie/is-my-child-ready-for-school.php)
A longer but also useful guide with many other tips can be accessed below
https://www.into.ie/ROI/Publications/TipsforParents/2018_Tips_Eng.pdf
Some recent articles on the subject in Irish media are also available here...
https://www.independent.ie/life/family/learning/whats-the-right-age-to-start-school-29958587.html
www.irishtimes.com/news/education/what-is-the-right-age-to-start-your-child-in-primary-school-1.2976748
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