| READY OR NOT! By Teri Allen, OTR As spring approaches, many parents struggle with the decision of kindergarten placement for their child. Should he be placed in regular kindergarten, developmental kindergarten, or wait a year to start? Kindergarten readiness is a controversial subject that continues to be debated and studied. For years experts have felt that waiting a year to start was a good solution for children who did not seem ready for school. Some experts are questioning this. An article in Better Homes and Gardens noted, "Urban schools reported that students who are one year too old for their high school grade have a 50% higher chance of dropping out." These kinds of studies encourage us to take another look at kindergarten readiness criteria and policies. With such controversy, it's understandable that this is a difficult decision. Investigating all of the factors listed below can help the parents feel more confident. The Child First parents should look at the child's interests, abilities, and expectations. Is he looking forward to school? How does he relate to other children and adults? Can he function in settings similar to school? Does he seem interested in the kinds of activities associated with school such as coloring, cutting, listening to stories? Can he sit still to complete such activities? Does he seem clumsy or awkward for his age? Can he take care of personal needs such as toileting and dressing? How is his self esteem? When will he be 5 years old? Preschool teachers, daycare personnel, Sunday school teachers, etc. can be excellent sources of information as they observe the child in a setting that is in contrast to home. Risk Factors Reviewing the child's medical and developmental history will give parents additional information. Was he premature? Does he have vision or hearing deficits, frequent illnesses or medical problems? Has he experienced significant emotional trauma? Is there a family history of learning problems? Answers to these questions need to be taken into consideration when a decision is made. The School There are several areas parents need to investigate in relation to the school. First, what is the philosophy and curriculum of the kindergarten classroom? Is the child expected to acquire certain skills before he enters kindergarten? What options or assistance will be available if the child experiences difficulty? Visiting the classroom and meeting the teacher will assist in answering these questions. Testing If the school offers kindergarten readiness testing, parents should ask for information about the test. Is the test standardized or was it developed by school personnel? Standardized tests are developed for a particular purpose and have been given to large numbers of children. Parents need to know the purpose of the test and an explanation of their child's performance and scores. Standardized tests are not 100% accurate in determining a child's placement. Parents should ask if predictive studies have been done to determine the tests' accuracy. Resources The National Association for the Education of Young Children has information on a variety of issues regarding early childhood education. By calling (202) 232-8777 or (800) 424-2460, parents can be directed to other organizations, publications, and resources. Options Some children have problems that will require extra assistance whether they start kindergarten at 5 or wait an additional year. Parents of these children may want to explore additional school services and community resources. For example, psychologists can identify learning or emotional difficulties. Occupational therapists can be consulted for coordination or sensory processing problems, Optometrists can identify and treat visual deficits and Speech Pathologists may be consulted for delays in speech and language. The Decision Parents need to make a decision that will balance their child's emotional, intellectual, social, and physical well being. A great beginning can help develop a child's positive attitude for the rest of his educational experiences. |
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