National Adult Literacy Database

Parents, teachers, and decision-makers all have a stake in ensuring that children are well-prepared when they begin their formal education. However, the authors of this document note that the meaning of the term “ready to learn” is not as clear as it might first appear.

With support from the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL), researchers at Statistics Canada undertook the development of a school-readiness index for Canadian pre-schoolers. Their research pointed to two factors that have a direct effect on school outcomes: social/emotional development, and verbal ability and attitude toward learning.

The authors offer a number of suggestions to help parents and caregivers prepare children for school, including developing children’s verbal abilities through stories, nursery rhymes, and conversation; encouraging curiosity and effort; and serving as positive role models for social and emotional responses.