The first day of school is one of the most important days of a child’s life. Yet there is no uniformity in this country on exactly when that should take place.
The cut-off date for kindergarten, meaning the date at which a child must be 5 years old in order to start school, differs from state to state. You can check to see the details of your state here.
The situation is made even more complicated by the fact that children develop at a different pace from one other, and the age at which they begin kindergarten is a crucial one developmentally. There are actually many different factors that need to be considered when it is time for a child to start school. Fortunately, there are often options available, as well.
Full or Half-day Kindergarten Classes
When making the decision on whether your child is ready for kindergarten, the length of a class day is vitally important. Children who may be fine sitting through a half-day session of learning may struggle trying to cope with a full day.
If there is a pre-K option, or if a child has been in day care prior to starting school, these may be an alternative to a full-day of class for a tot that’s not quite ready.
Expert Opinions
Many schools offer some sort of development tests to determine whether a child may be ready to start school by the cut-off date for kindergarten. These will offer clues to any potential problems, if any.
You may also want to consult with the child’s physician. Pediatricians who are familiar with a child’s development may have critical information to offer in terms of a child’s readiness, as well.
Tracking Progress
Once it is decided that your child is ready to start school by the cut-off date for kindergarten, you will still want to keep a close eye on the student’s progress, to make sure that everything is going smoothly. A good school information system can facilitate the connection between parents, teachers and the school administration so that cooperation is effortless.
You should look for one that is:
- Simple
- User-friendly
- Flexible
- Reliable
- Effective
The best ones have live data available 24/7, because you never know when a question will arise, and it is imperative that accurate information be accessible in order to resolve any problems. Students thrive when parents, teachers and school administrators are all on the same page.
