Conceptualizing School Readiness

Concept of School Readiness

Concept of school readiness is controversial, often interpreted as attainment of the age prescribed for school admissions and related overall childhood development.

Is your child ready to go out in the world?
And is the world ready to receive the child at that tender age?
A point to ponder over: Who is ready for whom! Thought provoking; isn't It ?

Click here to voice your opinion.

Nelson text book of pediatrics refers to the period between 2-5 years of life as "pre-school" phase of development; the early childhood development.

At this tender age, development depends on stable, responsive, nurturing relationships, besides rich learning experiences.

School readiness is at age of six.
Middle childhood development leads to maturation of psycho-social capabilities that help children to cope with the emotional stress of being away from home.

Moreover, cognitive skills get refined during this phase of childhood development.
The psycho-social development along with improved cognitive capabilities help children keep up with the school curriculum .

However, there is no consensus on whether there is a defined set of skills needed for success on school entry, and whether certain skills predict later achievement.

Even with sufficiently flexible school settings to support children at varying levels of developmental achievements, the earliest age is 5 years at which most children develop the abilities to be in a school setting. .

The modern educational system and society structure has pulled the age of school readiness down to 30-36 months.

Lured by rich interactive environment our children are succumbed to rigorous academic program in play schools. Tiny tots thus begin to strive to meet the rising standards of modern education system.
Childhood is lost in the promise of a bright future!

School readiness is a combination of -

Children’s readiness for school.
School’s readiness for children.
The capacity of families and communities to provide children the safety along with the developmental opportunities.

I, in spite of being a pediatrician, was in hurry to send my child to play school.

At 28 months of age my daughter appeared for her first interview.
She walked all alone along a long corridor in a strange building to strangers with her birth certificate nicely rolled in her tiny hands.

But she came back crying!
She told us, "I answered all their questions, but I do not want to go to school alone. You both come with me next time."

Does early school aggravate children’s separation anxiety?
Can it lead to anxiety disorders in their later lives?
Does toddlers' trust in their parents get bruised?
With younger sibling at home, do they fear rejection?
Are we increasing the chances of child abuse?
Do our schools give children enough chance for outdoor games?

Questions flood my mind.
Answers are many, but contradicting.
Scientific studies results can also be contradicting in real life situations.