From the University Agenda

Expert explains: Child's education and school readiness starts with birth

The child who starts primary school is expected to establish healthy relationships with his/her friends and teacher, follow social rules, follow the instructions given by the teacher, learn basic academic skills such as literacy and arithmetic. Stating that the child must have reached a certain level of readiness in order to respond to the expectations of this new social environment and to adapt to this different environment, Child Development Specialist Prof. Dr. Nefise Semra Erkan said, "The child's education and preparation for school starts with birth."

Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Child Development lecturer Prof. Dr. Nefise Semra Erkan: "Readiness is the ability of the child to start primary school by reaching a certain level in the field of physical, mental, socio-emotional, language development and self-care skills as a result of growth, maturation and learning, and to be ready to fulfill the requirements of primary school."
 
“The child's behavior is a result of what the family does”
 
Prof. Dr. Nefise Semra Erkan, regarding the concept of ‘ready-made families‘, which is frequently emphasized in school preparation, said, "Ready-made families are defined as families that facilitate the transition process of children to primary school, prepare the child for the transition process, and support the child's early development and learning. Children who have reached a certain level in terms of their skills in different fields can be harmonious, happy and successful in their school life. From this point of view, school preparation is too valuable and important to be left to the moment of starting school. When it is time to start school, the experiences that the child has gained from his/her experiences until then are exhibited. In fact, the behaviors that the child will exhibit are a result of what the family has done for the child so far."
 
"It prepares the child not only for primary school but also for life"

Stating that it is not enough for children to reach a certain age and intelligence level in order to be ready for school, Prof. Dr. Nefise Semra Erkan also added the following: "School readiness depends on the child acquiring the necessary skills at the desired level in all developmental areas. A child who will start primary school should be able to stay away from home and mother during school, work alone or in a group with his/her friends, and share various materials and toys with others. In addition, it is important to show the behaviors that form the basis of daily life relationships such as waiting for their turn, acting in accordance with verbal instructions, cooperating, obeying the rules, and taking responsibility." These experiences gained in the preschool period make it easier for the child to adapt to school easily. These social skills prepare the child not only for primary school but also for life."
 
“Tests are available to assess whether the child is ready for school or not”

Prof. Dr. Nefise Semra Erkan stated that there are some tests that can be used in the evaluation of primary school readiness and that evaluation of school readiness can be made with non-measurement-based techniques such as observation, game techniques, questionnaire, interview and home visits.
 
Detailing the readiness tests, Prof. Dr. Nefise Semra Erkan; “Whether the child is ready to participate in a certain education program can be evaluated with short achievement tests and these tests are applied at the beginning of the school. However, readiness tests are not used to identify children who need special education and intervention. According to the results of these studies, early intervention programs can be prepared to support children with school readiness problems and the effectiveness of these programs can be examined."