Elementary: Readiness

Developmental Readiness
The Gesell Institute of Human Development introduced the idea of developmental placement of children after realizing that all children are not ready for a classroom situation according to their chronological age alone. The developmental concept maintains that a child's chronological age and maturation level are separate.

Several areas of behavior are measured in the Gesell Developmental Assessment:

• fine motor
• personal-social development
• language
• and adaptation (which is the ability to learn in the form of attention span, concentration, responsiveness to teaching, and attention to detail).

Experienced testing professionals determine school readiness and grade appropriate placement for students entering K-3rd grades by assessing each young student's ability to cope with the school environment, emotionally and academically, without stress.

Developmental Placement

1. Developmental Placement is determined by the Gesell School Readiness Test.
2. Learning Readiness is present at birth. Children are always learning.
3. Environmental Factors, such as educational stimulation, tutoring and pre-school, can support and enhance growth, but they cannot hurry nor can they change the maturation of a child.
4. Overplaced Children are those children who go to school before they are developmentally ready. Overplaced children do not catch up. Teaching, tutoring, and training will not make an overplaced child developmentally ready for the next grade.
5. Contrary to popular belief, "most" children do not tease others about their placement in school. The few who do can be discouraged by the simple reply from your child: "This is what my parents wanted for me."
6. Parents are placing their children under stress when they place them in situations for which they are not developmentally ready.
7. The Gesell School Readiness Test is a sophisticated developmental assessment which is very accurate for determining correct school placement.

"The Developmental Placement philosophy is very positive: proper placement is a privilege, not a penalty."

Preparing your child for Kindergarten
How to make the beginning of your child's first year of school as pleasant as possible:

1. Give your child hands-on activities, such as cutting, writing, and coloring.
2. Let your child help with chores and name objects, tools, and appliances used around the home. Help your child observe the environment around him/her.
3. Read books together to broaden your child's vocabulary.
4. Teach your child how to tie his/her shoes and how to button, snap or zip clothes.
5. Point out shapes and colors. Also, play games involving counting objects.
6. Arrange occasional playtime with a friend or two.
7. Teach your child how to pray, and pray with him/her about school, friends, teachers, and loved ones.
8. Teach your child how to say and write his/her name, address, and phone number.
9. Teach your child how to use cleansing tissues properly and to cover coughs and sneezes.
10. Teach your child to use the restroom alone, including washing his/her hands without being told.