Module 1 • School Readiness 1. Background
Research shows that the first few years are the most important years in the life of the child. These are the years in which the foundation must be laid for everything that is to follow.
The child’s parents and the people around him make a lasting contribution to the development of all the aspects of the child.
Basic needs of a child
• A feeling of security Caring and loving care will let the child feel secure and he will develop trust in people. This security and trust is the foundation of successful education. The child that feels secure and safe will explore and learn.
• Emotional readiness The child does not only learn with his brain; he must also be emotionally ready to learn. A feeling of safety will encourage emotional readiness.
• Acceptance
The parent and educator must accept the child the way he is. The child will then feel worthy. If the child feels accepted, it creates a feeling of confidence that encourages him to be interested in the world around him and to learn.
• Acknowledgement and appreciation of his uniqueness Each child needs to be acknowledged as a unique being and must be appreciated for it.
• Consequent behaviour There should not be double standards that can confuse the child. Set simple rules and stick to them.
• Discipline
Children need discipline. They must learn what is acceptable and what is not. Discipline creates a feeling of safety.
2. Getting ready for school
Getting ready for school is one of the most important aims during the pre-school years. There are two important aspects to be considered, namely school maturity and school readiness. These are different concepts with different meanings.
There is a difference between school readiness and school maturity that must be considered. School maturity is whether or not the child has reached a level of maturity where he is ready for the formal teaching of reading, writing and numeracy. This level is usually reached around age 6, and because it relies on biological factors, it cannot be hastened. However, reaching this level of maturity is no guarantee that a child will be able to cope with the demands of school, and this is where school readiness enters the picture.
School readiness considers the intellectual, social and emotional maturity levels of a child, and while maturity cannot be influenced by external factors, school readiness can be encouraged by broadening a child’s experiences and teaching him or her to make full use of his or her senses
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