POLOKWANE – Heidie en Peter Pre-primary School principal, Elosise Petzer, says there is no sure way of knowing whether your child is ready for school or not.
However, Petzer does offer a few questions parents could ask themselves and if the answer to most of them is ‘yes’, then their child is most likely ready to don a uniform and backpack.
Ask yourself:
1) Can my child listen to instructions and execute them? Children need these skills to function in class, to keep up with the teacher and with their peers.
2) Is my child able to put on their coat and go to the bathroom without my help? Children need to be somewhat self-sufficient by school age.
3) Can my child recite the alphabet and count? Most kindergarten teachers assume that children have at least a rudimentary familiarity with the alphabet and numeracy, though these subjects will be covered as part of the kindergarten curriculum.
4) Can my child hold a pencil and cut with scissors? He will need these fine motor skills to begin working on writing the alphabet and to keep up with classroom projects.
5) Does my child show an interest in books or try to “read” a book by telling a story based on the pictures? This is a sign that your child’s language development is on a par with other kindergartners and that they’re ready to start learning how to read.
6) Is my child curious and receptive to learning new things? If a child’s curiosity is stronger than their fear of the unfamiliar, he will do well in school.
7) Does my child get along well with other kids, i.e. does my child know how to share and take turns? At school, children interact all the time, so your child’s social skills are particularly important for success in school.
8) Can my child work together with others as part of a group? The ability to put their needs second, to compromise and join in a consensus with other children, is also part of emotional competence.
“If you answered “yes” to most of these questions and “sometimes” to the rest, your child is ready for kindergarten. If not, your child might well benefit from another year of pre-school. This will just give him or her a chance to become better prepared for school,” Petzer says.
