Starting school is an important step in a young child’s life
and many parents worry that their child may not be ready to
start school. So how can you tell if your child is ready?
There are many factors to consider, but above all the two
most important factors are:
- What is the level of your child’s cognitive/ intellectual
ability?
- Is your child socially and emotionally ready for
school?
The two most common reasons for holding children back
from school entry are when children are born close to the
entry cutoff date, or when there is evidence of developmental
delay. Each child is unique and there is no one rule for all.
The specific advantages/disadvantages of holding your child
back must be carefully considered for each child individually.
Our assessment will help inform you as to whether your
child has any evidence of cognitive, emotional or social
delays which may affect them at school. If there are
concerns, it is important that they are recognized as early as
possible so that your child can undergo appropriate
programs to accelerate lagging abilities.
What does a school readiness assessment
involve?
A school readiness assessment is conducted by a qualified
psychologist to evaluate how your child compares
intellectually, socially and emotionally to children the same
age. It will evaluate your child’s strengths and weaknesses,
and show areas of potential concern in your child’s
development that may affect them at school.
The evaluation involves the assessment of the following
general cognitive skills:
- General intellectual functioning (IQ)
- Memory
- Attention, concentration, impulsivity (including ADHD
screening)
- Language: comprehension, expression & fluency
- Speed of information processing
- Visual perceptual skills
- Visual-motor integration
- Planning/organisation
In addition we assess early educational skills including:
- Pre-literacy skills
- Phonological awareness
- Early number skills
- Basic concepts
We also screen your child’s emotional, social & behavioural
development including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Withdrawal
- Oppositional behavior
- Social problems
- Emotional control
Who should have a school readiness
assessment?
- Worried your child isn’t developmentally &/or
cognitively keeping up with their peers?
- Worried you child may not be emotionally ready for
school?
- Does your child have language delays?
- Does your child have motor problems?
- Does your child have difficulties concentrating and
paying attention?
If you have answered yes to any of the above questions a
school readiness assessment may be appropriate for your
child.
A school readiness assessment can be conducted to clarify
any specific areas of strength and weakness of your child.
The assessment will describe skills that your child may
need to develop, and we will also give you
recommendations for how problem areas can be improved.
We work together with you to put together a program to help
accelerate your child’s cognitive development so that
starting school doesn’t have to be a struggle.
Sydney Cognitive Development Centre
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Preschool Assessment
Ages 3-5 years
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Sydney Cognitive Development Centre
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Maximising your child's potential
Sydney Cognitive Development Centre
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Are you concerned your child
isn’t ready to start school?
|
“Give your child
the best possible
start in school.....”
|
“Early
identification
leads to early
intervention...
early intervention
leads to a greater
likelihood of
school success”
Understand your
child’s unique set
of cognitive skills
as well as their
social &
emotional level
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