Pre-school play a vital learning step for pupils

READING and creative play at home help preschool children settle in better when they reach the classroom, an ESRI report says. Meetings between primary teachers and creche and pre-school staff also help ‘greater continuity of learning for children’.

The ESRI researchers also found the vast majority of five-year-olds are positive about school, look forward to going and say good things about it.

The study uses Growing Up in Ireland data to examine how 9,000 children adjusted to primary school by examining their vocabulary; early literacy and numeracy; attitudes to school, relationships with teachers, and their socio-emotional skills, which include being able to concentrate in class, communicate their needs and take turns/ share with other children.

Report author Professor Emer Smyth said: ‘Even at the age of five, important differences are evident in children’s wellbeing and skills.

‘It is important to provide early interventions at this stage to enhance children’s engagement with school and equip them with the skills they need for the rest of their primary education.

‘This study indicates that building positive relationships between teachers and students may play a critical role in helping children to overcome transition difficulties.’

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, which commissioned the study, added: ‘This provides a window into this fundamentally important phase of each child’s life. It indicates that there is a strong base from which to build enhanced learning experiences through play in the infant classes.

‘NCCA’s ongoing work on the redevelopment of the Primary School Curriculum will benefit from the comprehensive picture provided in the report, particularly in terms of the relationship between the pre-school years and the early years in primary school.’

Teresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland,

which afterschool workers, report represents and welcomed and said full it preschool, ‘provides day-care the crucial insight’ into children as they move from early years to primary school.

‘This is an important rite of passage for children and families. For many, it is a positive experience but, as this report indicates, it can be a difficult time and challenging for others,’ she added.

‘We believe it is often useful to shift the conversation away from whether children are ready for school to one which looks at whether schools are ready for children.

‘Early Childhood Ireland also welcomes the report’s recommendation that playbased activities be increased in junior and senior infants.

‘Research has consistently shown that children are at their happiest and most energetic during play and play is central to the early childhood curriculum.

‘An increase in play-based activities at primary level could support children in transitioning to the different learning environments of primary school, and facilitate ongoing, positive outcomes.’

This is important rite of passage