Limit preschool apps and shows–even if they are educational.
Online preschool activities and educational apps and shows should not take the place of important learning that takes place with face-to-face interactions and real-life experiences. The AAP recommends screen time other than video chatting is best avoided for children under 18 months old.Use the AAP Family Media plan to help balance screen time with time spent exploring the world and communicating and socializing with people around them that’s so important to a child’s development.
Misconceptions about “redshirting:”
Some parents consider delaying their child’s entrance into kindergarten even though they are old enough to start school, especially if they have a child with a birthday close to the school entry cut-off date. This is called “redshirting,” and it’s a practice that some states are considering legislation to end.
Parents who hold their children back from kindergarten may believe they are giving them a better chance to succeed in academics, athletics, or social settings if she is older than average for her grade. This isn’t necessarily the case.
According to the AAP, labeling children as “not ready” for kindergarten and delaying the start of school can prevent them from being in the best learning environment.
Although there is some evidence that being among the youngest in a class may cause some academic problems, most of these seem to disappear by the third or fourth grade. On the other hand, other research suggests that children who are old for their grade are at considerably greater risk of behavior problems when they reach adolescence.
Early education starts and ends at home.
You are your child’s first and greatest teacher. Put down your smartphone. Reinforce what your child learned in preschool. Find time to talk with your children about their respective days—including what they did at school. Plan some activities that you can do with your child—such as an art project. Get more ideas here.
If you have questions or concerns about your about whether your child is ready to start school, always talk with your pediatrician.
Additional Information:
- School Readiness (AAP Technical Report)
- Top Tips for Families for Early Reading and Literacy
- Ask the Pediatrician: My daughter’s birthday is a few days before the kindergarten cut-off date. Should we hold her back?
- The Power of Play – How Fun and Games Help Children Thrive
Last Updated 7/22/2019
Source American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2019)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
