Module 1 • School Readiness
Although school maturity is important for success in school, it cannot guarantee it. It may be that a school mature child will not be able to adapt to a formal learning situation. Aspects such as a lack of feeling emotionally secure can influence his school readiness.
2.2 School readiness
This is not based on age, physical size and intelligence alone, but includes the WHOLE CHILD – his psychological and affective development and all the other aspects that make him a total being
To be school ready means that the child is ready for the challenges and advantages of formal schooling.
According to law introduced by the Department of Education, it is compulsory for children to begin Grade 1 in the year they turn seven. However, this rule has been relaxed to allow children who turn six before June 30 entrance to grade one.
Normally, a child is ready for school at the age of six, but some children may be school ready at five, while others are ready only at the age of seven or eight.
If a child is sent to school too early it may have a negative effect as he is still emotional immature. He may be overwhelmed by all the new situations because he cannot yet analyse problems. The child that is admitted too late may find everything too easy in the beginning and when the work becomes more difficult does not have problem-solving skills.
It is primarily the parents’ responsibility to provide the necessary stimuli (see definition box) for school readiness. The parent must develop a love for learning in the child and guide him to persevere (see definition box) on his own. To want to learn is more important than to be taught.
DEFINITION
stimulus (stimulation) – noun pl. stimuli 1. something that rouses or incites to action or increased action; incentive
2. something that causes a reaction, especially interest, excitement or energy
Origin of stimulus Classical Latin: a sting, torment, pang, spur, incentive
DEFINITION
persevere – verb 1. to stick with something, even if it becomes difficult
Children need to have this characteristic to be able to keep trying till they get things right and not give up.
QUOTE
“Although educators and parents can give a child opportunities to practise and improve skills, you can’t hasten emotional development.” – Felicia Edelstein
2.2.1 A child that is not ready for school
A child that is not ready for school can show some of the following characteristics: lack of confidence, dependent, home-bound, poor co-ordination, poor perception of time, low perseverance, short attention span, immature toilet habits, lack of age-appropriate speech and behaviour. How do we know if a child is ready to go to school?
4
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162