1.1 Issues and Dilemmas

There are three issues or dilemmas that school-based administrators can consider in making their school ready.

First, there is a wide variation in the levels of readiness to learn among children beginning school. Children develop rapidly in their first few years of life. They do so at different rates and in different ways. Children come from different backgrounds, some of which are unable to provide adequate support and stimulation. For some families, this is because of poverty, for others because of a lack of time, work stress, or isolation. Families newly arrived from another country may experience all of these problems and also be faced with the need to adapt to a new culture.

Second, there are contradictory and competing pressures on the school to raise academic standards in earlier grades, to cutback on preschool and early kindergarten programs and to emphasize competition, science and technology in the curriculum. There are also few dollars for staff development and innovation.

The third issue is the reduction of public services and social support for children in communities. Health and social services have been cutback. Library and recreation programs have been curtailed and the influence of social institutions such as churches and voluntary organizations has declined.

These dilemmas and issues can be addressed through:

* a thorough knowledge of child development and pedagogy relating to young children. This can lead to careful planning and developmentally appropriate programs and practices.

* demonstrating leadership for school staff, parents and the community showing the value investing early in children

* facilitating school, family, agency and community cooperation to identify community and other resources and capacities

* informed, constructive advocacy for children and families to ensure that resources match expectations and needs

Schools can indeed be ready to teach and support young children.