- Do you have a kiddo/s aged 4-5 and thinking of sending them off to big school next year?
- Are you wondering if they are ready or what they need in order to be ready?
- Is this the first time it has been brought up for you?
Well don’t stress, this is the place for you!
While the thought of school readiness may be daunting this early in the New Year, there has never been a more perfect time to start thinking about getting your child/ren ready for kindergarten, because at the end of the day, you can never be too prepared!
So, school readiness, what is it and why is it important?
School readiness is a unique and individualised experience for each child and their family. In general terms, school readiness involves a multi-dimensional approach prior to a child starting school, in which:
- A child’s early skills and knowledge are developing to promote a readiness for learning in a school environment
- A school provides an environment and practices that facilitate a safe and supportive place for learning
- A family promotes a positive attitude and involvement towards a child’s learning, development and transition to school
Arguably the most important aspect of school readiness is that kids have the skills and knowledge to set them up for success at this fundamental stage of their little lives. This looks different for each child but summed up, it is about giving kids the chance to have experiences, discussions and learning opportunities in all areas of development. Research highlights that strong foundations of school readiness skills are linked to academic success and positive emotional and social wellbeing in later schooling years.
Another fundamental aspect of school readiness is the importance of a collaborative approach between families and schools in providing the best opportunities for a child to prosper in their early school years.
At this stage you may be asking yourself, what does school readiness look like?
Well, when thinking about school readiness, themes of handwriting, counting and shapes may come to mind. However, there is so much more to setting kids up to not only attend and participate, but THRIVE in kindergarten.
So, while academics are important, being prepared for school also encompasses:
- Physical skills
- Social skills
- Cognitive skills
- Fine motor skills
- Language/communication skills
- Self-care skills
These areas of skill and knowledge developed in the 12 months prior to starting school, lay the foundations for a child to further build upon and evolve in the school setting. This can be with the assistance of families, daycare and preschool teachers and the wider community.
Children who haven’t had experiences, discussions and learning opportunities in these areas prior to school might find it tricky to meet the expectations of the classroom and may find school hard, not wanting to attend school and falling behind their peers in different areas.
What can we (as OT’s) do to help families with school readiness?
As paediatric OT’s we want to help children be as independent as possible in all aspects of their everyday life (which is essential for school success!). We understand that no two kids are the same and their skill and knowledge development are unique to them. This means that some children may need extra support in this school readiness phase, and we are here to help!
Here at CKH our clinicians can help in many areas of school readiness:
- Fine motor skill development
- Social and emotional development including regulation and behaviour support, sensory processing, attention and concentration.
- Play and social skill development
- Self-care including dressing, toileting, sleep and eating
- Independence through routines and organisation skills
So please, stay tuned! Each term we will bring you new information about different areas of school readiness, specifically what school readiness looks like in this area and what you and your family can do to support success for your little one/s and help them flourish during this exciting time in their life!
Term 1: Independence → including self-care and routines
Term 2: Fine motor skills → including drawing, cutting, colouring
Term 3: Play and social development → including engagement, sharing and responding to others
Term 4: Regulation → including strategies to support regulation during school transition days, school holidays and end of year
If this has brought up any concerns or you have any questions, please reach out to us!
Phone: (02) 6360 20 18
Email: [email protected]
References:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12187-020-09760-6
