There’s a lot to think about when it comes to getting your child ready for school. You’ll need to secure them a place, buy their uniform, and probably lose countless nights of sleep trying to prepare for the emotional tear of their first day. Amidst all of those preparations, it’s all too easy for thoughts about their ‘school readiness’ to fall by the wayside. But, according to school teachers right now, this is an area that needs far more attention in that all-important school lead-up.
80% of teachers now report a generally lower level of school readiness than even a few years ago. Many factors are thought to be behind this shift, including lingering development delays from the pandemic. Many teachers also cite increased screen time and a drop-off in the use of early childcare.
Whatever the reason, an increasing lack of school-entry skills is holding entire classrooms back through potentially weeks or months of additional teaching. Teachers are frustrated, and children aren’t benefiting either. In large part, the buck has to land on us as parents. While it isn’t always easy to know what your child should and shouldn’t be able to do when they reach school age, it’s important to make a proactive effort to start their education early. And, we’re going to look at the four primary skills that teachers would like you to prioritize.
# 1 – Basic Language Skills
No one’s expecting a school starter to recite the next Shakespere sonnet, but teachers continually remind parents that basic language skills are a school entry must. And, this isn’t exactly a high expectation to have. Skills like recognizing their names, knowing the alphabet, and having a firm grasp on basic language are essential for ensuring that children can learn and interact in the classroom. These are also skills that children have historically grasped organically through general conversations with their parents. So, why are they lacking right now?
Screen time is an obvious scape goat, but regardless of the cause, teachers believe that parents now need to get proactive to impart these essential skills in plenty of time. Reading physical books together remains one of the best ways to do this, and experts recommend that parents spend at least 15-20 minutes a day on this vital activity.
Equally, teachers believe that parents who seek additional resources to teach their children everything from simple adjectives at an age-appropriate level, to basic reading, will help their child to begin school with the best grasp on language possible.
# 2 – Some Number Knowledge
Children typically have a firmer grasp on language than they do on numbers when entering school. That’s because we use language daily, while the same isn’t necessarily true of numbers. But your child does still need some basic numeracy skills before reaching school age.
In fact, teachers advise that school starters should feel confident when counting and recognizing numbers up to 10. The ability to count individual objects is also vital. Unfortunately, these aren’t skills that children will pick up without prompting, but they are skills that even children as young as two should begin to learn.
The best way to ensure your child is confident with numbers from a young age is to simply complete repetitive number tasks that are easy for them to grasp. Initially, focus on looking at numbers together, and speak about what makes each one unique. Aim to do this daily, so that your child becomes confident with general counting and number recognition. Outside of that, try to count everyday objects together as much as possible. Once your child is competent with these basics, age-appropriate number-based activities can again bring them up to school starter level.
# 3 – Crucial Motor Skills
Motor skills are one of the most concerning things lacking when it comes to school starters right now. Many teachers report children who have difficulty climbing stairs, getting themselves dressed, and holding a pen. This latter is of particular concern because even children with a firm grasp on topics like literacy and numeracy are unable to display that knowledge, which increases the risks that they’ll be overlooked or underestimated in the classroom. Both of which can contribute to a dislike of learning or general classroom frustration.
Unfortunately, motor skills aren’t something you can teach your child with a worksheet, but many teachers believe that the secret to perfecting this process simply lies in stepping back a little. This may seem contrary to our other points, but parents who allow their children to complete simple tasks like getting dressed themselves generally notice the best improvements in this area. Equally, parents should help their children practice everything from holding a pen to using scissors, even if it’s a while before they’ll need to use these skills at school.
If your child is still struggling with completing these tasks themselves, simple copying or tracing exercises on paper can be a huge help. Equally, balance-based exercise, such as learning to balance or hop on one leg, can be effective.
# 4 – The Social Side of Things
A lack of early interaction amongst pandemic-born babies, blended with a general decrease in early childcare, means that children are also performing below school starter socialization expectations. This can impact school friendships, while a lack of skills like teamwork and sharing can also hold your child back in the classroom.
Teachers state that the best possible way to overcome this issue is to ensure that children have some kind of school-style community experiences before actually starting school. Ideally, these should come from a guided preschool environment or early education center, but organized groups that follow classroom-style instruction can also help children learn to interact and display expected social behaviors by the time they begin school.
School readiness might feel like a minefield you don’t have time to worry about, but the ongoing problems in this area, as reported by teachers, highlight the need to get ahead and make sure your preschool child possesses these skills well in advance!
