The start of a new school year is approaching and many children will make the giant leap from preschool to kindergarten. Some children will transition with ease, while others will struggle with the new school setting.
A new study, published July 21, 2019 in Pediatrics from The Stanford University School of Medicine found children with ADHD are significantly less prepared for kindergarten and start developmental behind their peers without ADHD. Researchers used five areas to measure the children’s functioning: language development, physical wellness and motor development, general knowledge and cognition, social and emotional development, and approaches to learning. Executive function was included in the approaches to learning assessment.
Children who scored more than one standard deviation below the mean were considered to be impaired in that subset. This study considered children delayed in two of the five categories listed to be “unready” for elementary school.
Children with ADHD were 73 times more likely than children without ADHD to be impaired in all areas with the exception of cognition and general knowledge (Perrin, Heller & Loe, 2019).
ADHD can be difficult to diagnosis in preschoolers because many of the symptoms associated with the disorder, including impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention are considered typical behaviors for children in this age group. If concerned about these characteristics in your child, it may be beneficial to both consult with a professional and partner with the appropriate school faculty.
Below are some guidelines and strategies to help parents who are concerned about their child making the transition from preschool to kindergarten. I have listed them according to the five areas measured in this study:
Physical Well Being and Motor Development
Sleep: American Academy of Pediatrics recommends, depending on age, 10-13 hours of sleep nightly, including naps. Implement what is necessary for your child.
Diet: A balanced diet fuels one’s brain and body. Consult a nutritionist if necessary.
Motor Development: Utilize good old fashioned toys including tricycle/bicycle, jump rope, blowing bubbles, playdough, bouncing balls ( incorporate language & rhyming games to maximize benefits), painting (use an easel), coloring, puzzles, hopscotch. These types of activities address gross and fine motor development and hand eye coordination.
Relaxation: Yoga, meditation, quiet story time, slow walks may familiarize children with emotion regulation strategies.
***I recommend concerns with motor delays be addressed by a physical and or occupational therapist specializing in this age group.
Social and Emotional Development
Playdates: Consider the length, location and number of participants; some children are more successful with specific parameters. Discuss expectations before the playdate (ex: sharing toys).
Emotion Regulation: Work with your child to develop strategies to implement when struggles arise. Exhaustion and/or hunger may triggers for meltdowns.
Role playing and modeling appropriate behavior: One can set an example for learning.
Classes & Activities: When possible have your child choose activities which interest them and allow them to feel successful.
Language Development
Reading & Music: Spend time reading to your child, with your child, or listening to books on tape and music.
Cooking: Preparing meals together exposes your child to a different type of language, incorporates math, advances fine motor skills and may expand one’s palate.
***For concerns indicating speech and language delays I recommend seeking expert advice from a speech & language pathologist experienced with this age group.
Approaches to Learning
This area predominantly relates to executive function: time management, organizational techniques, emotion regulation.
Specific strategies can be implemented to help children with executive function and should individualized to one’s child.
*** Trained educational strategists with background working with ADHD can be helpful to maximize your child’s skills.
Cognition & General Knowledge
This particular study did not find children with ADHD to be impaired in this area. General knowledge and cognition can be enhanced through activities such as reading, educational television programs/movies, and visits to historical sites/museums in addition to other supports.