School Readiness

Evidence 

https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/dcj/evidence-portal/documents/improving-school-readiness/School_Readiness_Evidence_to_Action_Note_Portal_version.pdf 

Rebecca Rotter and Christie Robertson  

Improved school readiness is likely to contribute to positive outcomes. For children, positive outcomes may include feeling comfortable and safe, making friends and participating and showing positive attitudes and dispositions to learning.  

For families, positive outcomes may include being involved in the school, being partners in their children’s learning and having collaborative relationships with educators.  

Positive outcomes for educators may include feeling able to confidently plan and prepare for each child, providing opportunities for families to be involved and having respectful, responsive relationships with families. 

Education 

School readiness refers to a child’s ability to transition smoothly and successfully into school. This can be actively nurtured with some forward planning by ensuring children engage in activities that develop the necessary skills needed for learning when they begin school. 

Many people focus on academic skills, like being able to write their name, counting to 10, and recognising all the colours, as indicators of school readiness. However, the concept includes a much broader range of abilities. 

School readiness involves: 

• Basic Self-Care Skills
• Ability to manage basic self-care tasks such as dressing, toileting, and feeding independently.
• Attention and Concentration
• Ability to focus on tasks for an appropriate amount of time and follow simple instructions.
• Social Interaction
• Ability to interact positively with peers and adults, share, take turns, and participate in group activities.
• Emotional Regulation
• Ability to manage emotions in a school setting, including managing frustration and seeking help when needed.
• Academic Skills 

Early knowledge of numbers, letters, shapes, and colours, and the ability to engage in early literacy and numeracy activities. 

School readiness is an important milestone for all children, but it can be particularly challenging for preschoolers who were born prematurely or with health issues. These children may face unique developmental hurdles that may impact their ability to be fully prepared for the structured environment of school, such as: 

• Delays in cognitive development, which can affect their ability to understand and process new information. Children might need additional time and support to develop essential learning skills. 

• Fine and gross motor skills might be underdeveloped therefore, impacting their ability to perform tasks, like holding a pencil, cutting with scissors, or participating in physical activities. 

• Early health issues can affect a child’s ability to form relationships and interact with peers. These children might have difficulty with social skills, emotional regulation, and adapting to new social environments. 

• Delays in speech and language development are common in children born prematurely or with early health complications. This can affect their ability to communicate effectively with teachers and classmates. 

Supporting School Readiness 

Starting school is a major event in a child’s life, and for their family. To get off to a good start, children need to develop a range of skills, so that they will be ready to learn and be happy at school.  

Here are some things you can do at home to help support your child in getting ready for School: 

• Make time to read and count with your child every day. This not only promotes good learning habits, but it is also a great way to spend time together as a family. 

• Make everyday things an exploration of language – ask your child questions, listen carefully to their answers and encourage your child to ask why. 

• Encourage your child’s natural curiosity – Collect items and sort them into groups and talk about shapes, sizes, patterns and what they feel like. 

• Encourage your child to learn to dress and undress independently, and to use the toilet independently. 

• Encourage your child to mix with other children in different supervised activities so they learn to socialise with their peers, take turns and share their toys and belongings. 

If you are concerned about whether your child is ready to start school, then it is important to seek advice. You should talk to the preschool/ kindergarten teacher, the primary school teachers, and other health professionals as they can assist in assessing your child’s development and readiness for school. 

Other ways you can support your child in being ready for school are: 

School Readiness Program 

Enrol your child into a School Readiness Program that prepares children for entry into formal schooling. 

Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) 

Talk to your child’s new school, letting them know of your child’s birth story and work with educators to develop an IEP that addresses the child’s specific challenges and outlines accommodations and goals for their educational journey. 

Parental Involvement 

Show a keen involvement in your child’s learning process, including reading together, exploring mathematical concepts such as shapes, patterns and quantities, engaging in educational play, and attending parent-teacher meetings and school events. 

Therapeutic Support 

If you have any concerns about your child’s development, speak to your healthcare team who can help provide access to speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to address developmental delays and support skill development. 

Positive Reinforcement 

Use positive reinforcement to build your child’s confidence and motivation. Be excited and enthusiastic about your child starting school. This gives your child the positive message that school is exciting and that they’ll cope and have fun. 

Healthy Transitions 

Prepare your child for the transition to school by visiting the school, meeting teachers, and gradually introducing school routines and expectations. Visit your local library and borrow books about starting school. 

Empowerment 

By recognising and nurturing your child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development, you are laying a strong foundation for their educational journey.  

Through play, exploration, and engaging activities at home, you can support and empower your child to embrace this new chapter with confidence and curiosity.  

Remember, every child is unique, so celebrate their individual progress and readiness. 

Useful Links 

Empowered Kids OT 

https://empoweredkidsot.com.au/top-tips-for-school-readiness/ 

Kids Sense 

https://childdevelopment.com.au/resources/child-development-charts/school- readiness-preparation-tasks-activities 

Raising Children 

https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers 

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