Parental perception on school readiness for 3-5 years old children in urban areas

Abstract

School readiness refers to a child's readiness to make an easy and successful transition to school. Proper school readiness support to ensure children's regular participation in activities that helps children's optimal learning by acquiring developmental skills when they start formal school. This includes the achievement of academic skills as well as physical, mental, language, and socio-emotional skills for young children before starting kindergarten. Parental perception about school readiness for 3 to 5 years old children and practices parents follow according to their perceptions for children's school readiness was examined in this study keeping the current COVID-19 situations in concern. The challenges parents face and the support they receive in school readiness were investigated. The nature of the study is qualitative. The research findings are categorized into 3 parts: (i) parental perception about school readiness, (ii) practices parents follow for readiness, and (iii) challenges parents face to make their children ready for school. Most parents are unsure about the concept of school readiness and share their own thoughts and perceptions in different ways. All participants revealed need of positive views of the teachers, community people, and Govt. authority towards school readiness. Further study is needed. A proper system, guidance, and policies for preschoolers' school readiness should be developed both for parents.