By Dr Melodie de Jager.
Two things happen in November every year:
• 5-7 year old children are assessed to see if they are ready
• 17-19+ year old teens are assessed to see if they are ready.
READY FOR WHAT
5-7 year old children are assessed to see if they are ready to leave the protective and playful learning environment of grade R behind and ready to learn more about letters, numbers, thinking, reading and writing
17-19+ year old teens are assessed to see if they are ready to leave the protective learning environment of high school behind and learn more about their field of interest, or enter the world of work.
The strangest thing is that if a child has crossed the first hurdle at the age of 5-7 with flying colours, chances are great that he or she will cross the second hurdle with flying colours too. BUT if a child had difficulty crossing the first hurdle at the age of 5-7, chances are that he or she may not get to the second hurdle with ease and confidence…
YOU MUST BE JOKING!
It is 12 years later, surely a child can change? Why then, if humans and children are designed to learn, do so many learners struggle to learn, to progress at school and get to Grade 12 with their self-esteem still intact?
If a child was not ready to sit still and concentrate, or/and a child was not ready and proficient to learn in the language of instruction in grade 1, or/and if a child was not ready to learn to write and to read, – the child was not school ready. Entering grade 1 with the hope that ‘un-readiness’ will go away, is like sitting in your car ready to drive, but failing to start the engine.
SCHOOL READINESS
Toolbox thieves are very often the preschool teachers (under pressure from parents) who teach children to read and write in preschool, instead of ensuring that the less spectacular but basic pre-writing skills and pre-reading skills are in place, before the learners need to apply these skills.
Basic skills are skills such as:
- listen the first time
- the ability to sit still and concentrate for at least 11 minutes
- while doing a task a child does not necessarily like
- build a 36 piece puzzle in 6 minutes
- stand on one leg with the eyes closed for 10 seconds
- tie a shoe lace
- thread a shape evenly
- play lotto or dominoes with friends
- wait your turn, etc.
Teaching reading and writing in preschool, instead of preparing children to understand and speak the language they need to write and read in grade 1, is robbing many children from developing the skills necessary to experience academic success on their way to Grade 12.
Education is also a way out of abuse, violence and unemployment.
