2021 . 06 . 04 
389 "Is my 4-year-old ready to be in school?"
"Is he/she ready to face the world?"
"Have we done our parts properly?"
Yes, certain questions regarding the school readiness of your kid are bound to revolve in your mind. And, this is quite common and relatable. As parents, you are overly concerned about your child at this particular stage and it’s completely natural.
But, rest assured you will encounter mixed feelings ranging from excitement and pride to nostalgia at the sight of your kid running for the school bus. However, kindergarten readiness involves much more than just preparing him/her for the tests in which counting 1-10, number-names, or alphabets would be asked.
So, let’s understand in details what needs to be done before your little one places his/her foot in kindergarten.
What is School Readiness?
School readiness is not just readiness for school, but it also includes whether he/she can sit properly throughout the length of the school hours or not. Whether he can comprehend the teacher’s language or not. Or if he is indeed ready for school or not.
What does school readiness involve?
For understanding this topic further, let's go through some basic and helpful suggestions.
Self-regulation & care
First, try to catch the signals from his/her activities. You know your kid is good to go, first and foremost if he/she is toilet trained (daytime), can open the lunchbox or unwrap the food, and he responds clearly to the instructions at home. But if not, you have to pay attention. Don't worry!! Your kid just needs a little more training and before you know it, he/she will be ready for kindergarten.
Attention and concentration
For attending the kindergarten classes, he/she should be able to sit and listen for at least 10 minutes, doing his work and should be able to follow the prompts given by the teachers. You should especially focus on his/her physical strength and endurance so that he/she can at least sit through the class hours.
Emotional Regulation
Remember your kid’s emotional understanding is what will help him/her enjoy the playtime (as you are not around). He is ready for school only if he can perceive the good and bad feelings, understand and regulate his/her own emotions. Emotional readiness for school is crucial before physical readiness.
Appropriate social and play skills
Children are untainted as they make no distinction between their peers. Still, you have to tell him/her about how to interact with others appropriately. That, he/she has to display the ability to compromise and say sorry when at fault. Teach him how he/she can perform well in a group activity.
Tip: Try some group activities at home first. Start it from today itself.
Language and cognitive skills
Apart from counting numbers, reading the alphabet, reciting poems, or even dancing activities, your 4-year-old needs to deliver his speech or language in such a way that it can be understood by teachers or peers. Additionally, they must comprehend spoken language. Do make sure they are capable of this, before sending him/her off to school.
Final words
Did you know children's development at the early stage affects their mental and physical growth? So, act as a teacher before leaving him/her with his/her school teacher.
Try this: While unwrapping any food for him/her, teach him/her that this is the way to unwrap. You can show him/her a visual picture of the school, or recite a story about the consequence of good behaviors in a playful manner. This helps a lot!
Remember, it is important to train your kid properly at home first before assessing his/her school readiness program.
