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Sonja Brownlee, MD.
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Last Updated 1/2010
The information contained on this web site is not a substitute for direct examination and treatment by a physician. If any of this material is unclear or confusing, or if you have additional questions or concerns, please call the office at 778-6762.
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School Readiness
In most school systems, children are accepted for kindergarten based on age, with a very rigid cutoff date. In Elko County , children must turn 5 years old before September 30. This works well for most children, but it’s not perfect. Developmental rates vary so widely that one child may be prepared for school at age four while another is not mature enough until late in his/her fifth year. If you’re not sure, talk with the other adults involved in your child’s life: grandparents, preschool teacher, babysitter, pediatrician, etc.
Here are some things to consider in deciding if your child is “ready for school”:
1. Communication skills: both language development and the ability to listen (Can s/he remain attentive and quiet when being read a story?).
If your child does not pronounce all speech sounds clearly, s/he may need a speech evaluation. Speech therapy is much more successful when begun at 5 years of age then when held off until 7 or more years old. A child that needs speech therapy is not necessarily “retarded” or delayed mentally.
2. Social skills: The ability to play with other children with minimal fighting or crying, to take turns and share, to be sensitive to other children’s feelings, and to follow directions from adults.
3. Physical skills: The ability to run and play, use a crayon or pencil, use zippers and buttons, and use the toilet on his/her own.
You can help your child prepare:
- Read to him or her (start in infancy and continue until s/he prefers to read lengthy books on his or her own).
- Help your child learn some basic skills like learning letters, numbers, and colors.
- Help your child be able to say his or her full name (first and last names), address, and telephone number.
- Give enriching experiences like trips to the museum, library, and zoo.
- Enroll your child in community art or science programs.
- Encourage play with other children in the neighborhood, at the park or pool, in play groups, and in organized activities such as soccer, T-ball, dance class, church, etc.
Are there advantages to waiting until my child is older?
Some parents consider purposefully delaying their child’s entrance into kindergarten to gain some advantage in academics, athletics, or social settings. Studies show that being the youngest may cause some academic problems in the early grades, but this usually evens out by 3rd or 4th grade. On the other hand, children who are old for their grade are at significantly greater risk of behavior problems when they reach adolescence.
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