Chapter 06 — Family & Parenting

How do I know if my child is ready for school?

Less about reading and writing, more about regulation: can they separate from you without panic, follow a two-step instruction, sit for a story, take turns, manage the bathroom alone, and recover from minor frustration. Academic gaps close in months; emotional readiness gaps take years.

Follow-up questions

Should I 'redshirt' my child?

For summer-born boys especially, the research is mixed but leans positive in early years. Talk to your preschool teacher — they see your child against 30 others.

How do I prepare them?

Practise the routine (uniform, bag, walk in, goodbye), read books about starting school, and arrange playdates with future classmates if possible.

What if they don't want to go?

Almost universal in the first 2–3 weeks. Short, confident goodbyes work better than long emotional ones. Check in with the teacher; the upset usually evaporates within minutes of you leaving.

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