KINDER READINESS
Commencing January, 2022, the Government funded kindergarten system allows for children to have one year of funded 3 year old kindergarten and one year of funded four year old kindergarten. Once your child commences their 3 year old kindergarten year they become ineligible for further funding at 3 year old kindergarten beyond that year. Similarly, your child is then eligible for one year of four year old kindergarten, unless there is evidence of delay in two developmental areas. Please refer to the Cardinia Shire website for specific enrolment information.
So, how can you tell if your child is ready?
Each child is an individual with their own interests, strengths and needs. Below we have set out indicators of a child’s readiness to learn. Research consistently identifies the most important indicators as being:
[Hartup 1992; Katz & McLellan 2001]
At school your child needs to be able to handle transitions, conform to school rules and regulations, follow instructions, sit still for periods of time, talk to adults, request information from adults, as well as respond to adult inquiries. The sheer size of the school and its cohort of older, bigger, confident children can be intimidating for some children.
The physical skill level of a child reflects their readiness to learn (cognition), social competence and stamina. [Dean, Ashton & Elliott, 1994; Dockett et al 2000]
Normal developmental milestones of the five year old child will ensure: they have the body strength and balance to sit still on the floor for short periods of time, their listening skills are mature enough to process instructions and respond appropriately, their ‘eye-body’ coordination is such that they can perform appropriate motor tasks, they have a sense of their own body in space. These skills tell us about the level of sensory integration (maturity) the child has reached.
Your child needs to be able to separate from you, to get on with other kids, take turns, enter discussions, cope with rebuffs, empathise, negotiate compromises, express frustration and anger without escalating disagreements or harming others.
[Carnegie Task Force 1994, Docker et al, 2000].
Verbal communication is the main medium for teaching and although visual reinforcement is present to some degree, language acquired through exposure to stories, books, conversations, TV etc. is the way your child will learn at school. There are some pre academic skills, which make starting school easier for your child. These include skills such as problem solving, visual discrimination, the ability to draw a person, to name basic colours and common shapes, number concepts such as more/less, empty /full, large /small, many/few, number recognition rote counting and ordered counting to 5 or 10.
Each child is an individual, with their own strengths and challenges. Our educators are available to support you with your decision making regarding your child’s kinder readiness. We encourage you to contact us at Gembrook Preschool with any queries.
Readiness for Preschool Indicators:
- separate happily from parent/caregiver within a reasonable time
- participate in all aspects of the program
- make simple choices and decisions with support
- listen and respond to directions from staff
- listen for short periods of time
- manage belongings independently, toilet and feed themselves
- express their needs to staff and other children
- be willing to try new experiences
- will work alongside and accept their peers
- able to manage frustrations
Delayed Preschool Entry:
Families may decide to delay a child’s entry into kindergarten, and subsequently Primary School, by one year. It is an option for families who feel that socially and emotionally their child is not ready for the preschool experience and would benefit from another year to mature.
Making the decision to delay your child’s entry into preschool can:
- Allow children time to grow and mature at their own pace. We cannot rush learning or make children learn. Development is sequential.
- Increase confidence, which enables children to develop to their full potential
- Result in greater maturity, enabling children to better make their own decisions
- Set your child up for the best start possible for success and self-motivated learning.
- Create the opportunity for your child to thrive, not just cope.
- Give children time to become independent and effective communicators
- Enable children to develop stronger self-care skills such as toileting and caring for personal belongings.
SOURCES & SUGGESTED READING
What’s the Hurry by Kathy Walker– A guide for parents, teachers and the community on the importance of giving children a childhood. Practical information, ideas and guidance on a range of topics including school readiness, transition, the importance of play, self esteem, resilience and behaviour, as children move from preschool to school. See her website for more information.
School readiness by Dr Joanna Watson – An initiative of the NSW Department of Community Services
NSW Parenting & Research Centre – This is an excellent paper for those wanting more information. It investigates children’s transition to school from an individual and community perspective and examines what can be done at home and school to make it easier for children starting out. It also looks at explanations as to why some children and communities are more ready for school than others.
You may also wish to read the article, as per the link below, which includes insights from well-known Early Childhood Consultant, Kathy Walker.
https://www.smh.com.au/education/startingschool-20090213-86jh.html
Robyn Papworth is a Paediatric Exercise Physiologist who specialises in children’s motor development. Her website and Facebook page has many resources and teaches parents about school readiness. It shares motor development and play tips to give children the best possible start to their school year too.
You are always welcome to contact our kindergarten and speak to any of our teachers for further information about starting kinder and/or kindergarten readiness.
