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Unit 3 The Learner
Beginning School
Most children start their formal schooling at age five as
kindergarteners (Figure 7.2). Each state sets age requirements for
children starting school, usually identifying a date by which a child must
turn five in order to enroll in kindergarten. Consequently, children within
a single grade may be up to 12 months apart in age. This may make little
difference for older children, but gains in maturity and skill levels during
a single year can be significant in kindergarten and first grade. Teachers
may notice great differences between some of the youngest and oldest
students in their classrooms.
As scientists have learned more about how children’s brains develop,
educators have applied those findings. Researchers have discovered
that about half of a child’s critical brain development takes place before
a child enters kindergarten.
The importance of the early
years of life on influencing a
child’s intellectual abilities is
clear. This information has led
to efforts to educate parents,
children’s first teachers,
about ways to stimulate brain
development from birth. It
has also spotlighted the
importance of making sure
preschools and child care
centers have high-quality
programs that foster learning.
Initiatives such as
these help children enter
kindergarten prepared to
learn. The first years of formal
school are also crucial to brain
development and to school
success. Most schools offer
readiness assessments for
children or issue guidelines to
parents regarding kindergarten
readiness (Figure 7.3). These
help parents and educators
make certain children come
to kindergarten with the skills
they need for learning.
Figure 7.2 Regardless of challenges, most kindergarteners
are eager to begin school.