Children
Is Your Child Ready For Kindergarten?
By
Aug 26, 2008, 22:22

(NewsUSA) - Summer should be a time for relaxing together with the family. But for many parents, it can be a time of panic and anxiety as they struggle with the decision to enroll their children in kindergarten.

As a kindergarten teacher since 1996 and an eHow.com expert, I have worked with many families to help them navigate this very personal decision. Since then, I've come up with some tried-and-true considerations to keep in mind when determining a child's readiness.

- Birthday.

Children who do not turn five until after kindergarten starts will be the youngest in their class for the next 12 years, which is almost always a disadvantage. Teachers often advise parents to hold kids with fall birthdays back one year.

- Maturity.

Immature children are still deeply entrenched in imaginative play and might struggle socially. Typically, a child with older siblings matures faster and is more independent than a first-born child, so some children may be ready to start early.

- Academics.

Do not obsess over a child's academic ability. Teachers never know how a child is going to perform academically until the child actually starts kindergarten. If a child doesn't know all the letters, this doesn't mean he or she is not ready for school.

- Structure.

If the child was in a structured environment, such as preschool or day care, their transition to kindergarten shouldn't be hard. Children coming from environments in which they were allowed to do whatever they wanted might struggle with kindergarten's regimen.

If you decide to keep your child out of school one year, consider Developmental Kindergarten (DK). Made up mostly of children who were old enough to enter kindergarten but are waiting a year, most children who attend DK enter kindergarten well prepared and confident.

For more tips on early childhood education from Kurt Schwengel, visit eHow.com.

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