A child can be sent to school at the age of six, as well as at seven or even eight years. Admission to the first grade depends on the wishes of the parents and on the readiness of the child himself. Therefore, there cannot be a definite answer as to what age is better. It is necessary to carefully study the behavior of a particular preschooler.
Parents can determine readiness for school on their own or with the help of a psychologist. An experienced teacher, after just one conversation with the child and conducting the simplest tests, can say whether the preschooler is ready for classes or not yet. But the decision will still be made by the parents together with the baby. But it should be remembered that the child's words about what he wants to go to school cannot be decisive in the decision to send him to grade 1 at 6 years old, that is, a little earlier than the normal time. If you yourself are not sure that the character of the child has already developed enough, and the body has grown stronger, it is better to keep him in kindergarten until the full 7 years. Going to school at the age of 8 is rather an exception to the rule, but it is also quite acceptable. At this age, children are sent to school who were born at the end of the year or flatly refused to enter a new educational institution on time.
Psychological readiness for school
School readiness is determined by two parameters - the level of psychological and physical development. The concept of psychological maturation includes preschooler motivation, it is subdivided into play, educational, social and achievement motivation. The best option, of course, would be that the child has educational motivation when he wants to go to school in order to explore the world, learn new things. In the case of achievement motivation, the child also wants to attend lessons, but the main reason for this is good grades, praise, awards, recognition. This is also a good form of aspiration, but it is sometimes unstable, since even one bad assessment or censure of the teacher can destroy it.
A child whose main form is social motivation will rush to school for new acquaintances and friends. Perhaps he will study well, wanting to attract the attention of a teacher or peers, but this is not for long. However, the most immature psychologically are children with play motivation. They come to school with toys, are scattered in the classroom, do not listen to the teacher's explanations, do not understand why they need to write, count or do homework. Of course, classes in grade 1 are often conducted in a playful way, but this is still more learning and knowledge acquisition than a game. Therefore, these preschoolers need to be left in kindergarten for another year.
Physical readiness and intellectual level of the child
In addition, a psychologist, teacher or parents should pay attention to the readiness of the child's hand for writing, to identify his intellectual level, the degree of preparedness for the first lessons. To do this, observe the child, conduct a small test, ask him in a calm atmosphere, without raising his voice. In addition to asking if your kid wants to go to school, you can ask questions about what he will do there, who will study with him, why should he go to school. Observe how the child behaves in a group of strangers, whether he is withdrawn. Can he do something on his own for about 30-40 minutes, for example, drawing, quietly sitting in one place? Check if the kid can count to a hundred and solve simple problems, whether he knows all the letters, and whether he already reads well. Does the child know how to compose a coherent story from a picture of at least five sentences, does he know by heart several medium or long poems. Can he hold a pen and write simple shapes with it, is he good at using scissors and glue, does he make appliqués, does he paint pictures. It is also very important whether your child wants to study on his own or he constantly needs help.
The physical development of the body is no less important than the psychological readiness. The body of the future schoolchild must acquire the features of an adult; in it, the features of the child's structure gradually fade into the background. In a school-age child, the waist, the arch of the foot, the joints on the fingers are formed, and the teeth begin to change. Physically ready children know how to undress and dress on their own, button up, tie shoelaces, climb the stairs alternately with both feet.
Preschool crisis
If the child meets most of these points, has solid knowledge and good skills on them, he is ready for school. However, it is important for parents to remember that it is at the age of 6-7 that the child begins an age crisis, when the child ceases to perceive the world as a preschooler, only through a playful form of behavior, but does not yet know how to learn to see and recognize it differently. Therefore, at this age, mood swings, whims of a child, unreasonable stubbornness, crying are possible. Adults may mistake this behavior for rebellion, a manifestation of bad parenting, but it is not. A child at this age needs help and support, as he does not understand himself and cannot explain anything to his parents. And school adds an extra reason for stress. Therefore, older preschoolers and younger students need to be treated carefully, give them time to adapt to new conditions, get used to it.
