School Readiness:
Learning from the Start:
Studies by UNICEF and other child-focused organisations state that the first 1000 days of each child’s life have a profound effect on their development. The information and skills that the child’s parents and caregivers provide are central to successful child outcomes.
Well before young children attend one of the 2,700 early childhood institutions across Jamaica, parents can engage their children in learning at home. Readying them for preschool is not only about academic learning, but about gaining social, emotional and behavioural skills (Early Childhood Commission, The Jamaica School Readiness Assessment Report)
Engaging babies in such activities as singing, talking, and playing build these skills. Play is very important for the healthy development of the young brain, so try and give your child a mix of active, playful experiences as well as quieter, more focused activities. It is through play that children from a very early age learn about the world around them.
Preschool/Basic School:
In their first early school experience, young children will continue to learn important skills. They will learn some “pre-academics” like numbers and the alphabet, but also how to get along with other children and adults—all skills that will contribute to their performance when they start primary school.
Primary School:
Moving from an early childhood setting to primary school can be exciting and scary for both the child and the parent. It may be a new location, new teachers, new children, and new expectations. In primary/preparatory school your child will be gaining knowledge and skills that help provide the foundation for secondary school education. They will start taking regular tests and exams to measure how well they are learning, and eventually to determine their readiness to attend secondary school.
Secondary School:
As children get older and prepare to enter secondary school, parents may have a number of questions and concerns:
- Is my child ready for secondary school?
- Does she or he have all the basic skills needed to continue learning?
- Will he/she fit in socially? Make new friends easily?
- What support will my child need from me and the rest of the family in this new setting?
- Will she/he like the new teachers?
By this time your child is maturing in his/her observations, questions, and opinions, which means for you even more listening than talking to keep communication open. But your child still needs guidance and support from parents and other caregivers as they make their way through the increased demands of life in secondary school.
- Time management skills
- Good study habits
- Provide guidance as THEY MAKE important achievable goals
- The ability to stay focused in class
- Good note-taking
- Organizational skills
- Motivation to learn and work hard
- Commitment to his or her education
- The ability to complete and turn in assignments on time
- Be realistic about their child’s abilities
- Communicate that education is important
- Affirm their good work and their efforts to do their best
- Be knowledgeable about their school, assignments, teachers and friends.
- Provide guidance during work on school projects and activities
- Keep lines of communication with your child open about all school issues
- Attend PTA meetings, parent workshops at school or in the community
