Evaluation of Factors that Influence School Readiness Among Nursery School Children in Enugu

Abstract

The preschool child is often confronted with adverse environmental influences that may affect his/her development and hence his readiness for schooling. The factors that affect school readiness were evaluated in 532 nursery school pupils using a proforma on perinatal problems and gross motor development of the pupils. Their nutritional status, neurodevelopment status, and their performance on the Draw-A-Person Test were assessed. Sixty (11.3 per cent) of the 532 children were unready for schooling. Factors that are responsible for this included malnutrition, adverse perinatal period and a younger age at school entry. The need for the establishment of the preschool health unit in the Local Government as well as routine medical examination of nursery school pupils is emphasized.

Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics 2002; 29: 34-39.