For those with children aged 4 to 5, it's the time of year to think about school. According to my kids school, if your child is turns 5 on or before July 31 next year, he/she is elligible to start school. But another school told a friend of mine, who's 
daughter turns 5 on July 5th next year, that the child is too young. So, if you have a child who turns 5 around that time, how do you decide if he/she is ready for school?
For starters, look at what the child can do. How far can the child count? Can the child recognise his/her own name? Does the child know any letters of the alphabet? Is the child starting to try to write? If you say yes to all, or even some, of these, chances are your child can start school.
What can you do to help? Write the child's name on a piece of paper & stick it to the wall (in child's bedroom, in lounge room, wherever you think) so the child sees it continually. Put up posters in the child's room of the alphabet & numbers & go through them with your child each day. While your child is playing, put on a CD with the alphabet song or counting (I've found good ones in my local library). Play rhyming games - eg, your child says' "I'm going to play in my room", say something like, "get a broom to sweep your room, zoom, zoom" - ok, it sounds a little lame, but to a child it's fun, & it teaches same sounding words which will help when it comes time to learn to spell.
Concentration & behaviour can be a concern, but remember that, when all kids start school, they have to learn the correct behaviour & learn to sit at a desk. And they will learn. This is something that is easy to practice at home, too. Make a game out of it - get a small table & chair & play schools with your child. Tell your child he/she must put up a hand to ask a question. Use a star chart to reward your child for doing the right thing when you play this game. It's a fun way for your child to learn what will be expected at school.
Where I live, the schools run a Leap Frogs program. It's a fantastic idea - children who may be starting school next year go along once a week to Leap Frogs where they do school-type activities. As it's held at the school, the child gets used to the environment as well as what he/she will do in school. Ask your local school if they have this program.
Many of you may have your child in preschool - the teachers there can tell you if they think your child is ready for school. If you have a preschool aged child who is not in preschool, I highly recommend it. It gets the child used to being left, being with other kids, learning, etc. All of my kids went to preschool and when they started school I did not have a problem with tears or anything. I was the only one who shed a tear! lol!
Of course, some children do still cry when they start school, regardless of whether or not they are used to preschool. But having them attend preschool does help. After the childs first day, if they do get upset, buy a present or have a special dinner to congratulate your child on being such a 'big girl/boy' & starting school.
Basically, trust your instincts. Only you know your child best so if you really do not think he/she is ready for school then wait another year. But if you think they are ready, go for it. Once the child is in school, & you've had your cry, both your child & you will enjoy it.
(September 2007) (
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