What About Children Who Are Developmentally Young But Still Make High Grades?

These children are often using all of their energy to achieve academic success and have little energy left to grow socially or emotionally. Their development can become out of balance. School-related stress can cause these children to have physical complaints such as headaches and stomachaches. This may even lead to socially withdrawn or overly aggressive behaviors, and they may not be able to make friends with their peers. Academic success for these children may come at the expense of an overall positive school experience and overall development. Being “well-rounded” – and meeting success in general – comes from developing to our fullest potential socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.¹⁶

What if I think my child is ready for school?

Most teachers agree that parents know their child best. When considering your child’s readiness for Kindergarten, think about how you might answer the following questions, and talk to teachers and administrators at your child’s prospective school to help you determine which of these factors are most important in achieving success in that program.

Is your child able to:

Comfortably be away from you for an entire day?
Express ideas and feelings to adults other than immediate family?
Accept minor disappointments or limits without tears?
Listen to and follow directions?
Take turns and/or wait for his or her turn patiently?
Work independently without constant adult supervision?
Find ways to resolve conflicts and solve problems with peers independently?
Make simple decisions given a few choices of play activities?
Take care of personal belongings and toileting needs independently?
Retell familiar stories, nursery rhymes, or songs?

While this is not an exhaustive list of questions related to readiness, it may help you when considering your child’s unique needs and abilities at this time. Remember that it is extremely important to consider the specific expectations of a school’s program or curriculum, and to think about your child’s behaviors, skills, and abilities in the context of those expectations.

For example, in some places, the early elementary grades are highly structured and have a strong academic focus. A child who can not yet sit still, or who learns best through play rather than through workbooks, will struggle in such an environment, even if he or she is very bright and eager to learn. If a child is always in time-out due to inappropriate behavior, what is he or she learning then?

How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?

What is school readiness?

What does my child's stage of development have to do with readiness for school?

If my child is old enough to start school, is there reason to wait?

What is "developmental age" exactly?

What happens to developmentally young children?

How will I know when my child is ready to start school?

If my child is ready to learn, why isn't he ready for school?

What can I do to get my child ready?

What about children who are developmentally young but still make high grades? You Are Here

Aren't children disappointed if they don't go to school with their friends or peers?

What can I do to help my child feel about about when she starts school?