Question

During a well-child visit, the father of a 4-year-old boy tells the nurse that he is not sure if his son is ready for kindergarten. His birthday is close to the cutoff date, and he has not attended preschool. The nurse's BEST recommendation is to:

Option 1: Start kindergarten.
Option 2: Perform developmental screening.
Option 3: Observe a kindergarten class.
Option 4: Postpone kindergarten and go to preschool.

Answer 1

The nurse's best recommendation would likely be to perform a developmental screening to assess the child's readiness for kindergarten. Additionally, observing a kindergarten class and considering preschool as an option are viable steps the father could take.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that the child has not attended preschool and has a birthday close to the kindergarten cutoff date, the nurse's BEST recommendation would likely be to perform a developmental screening. This would provide a formal assessment of the child's cognitive, emotional, physical, and social development. Understanding where the child stands developmentally can help determine readiness for kindergarten and identify any areas where the child may need support or enrichment.

It would also be a good idea for the father to observe a kindergarten class to see firsthand what is expected of students and to assess whether his child seems ready to participate and engage at that level. Moreover, considering the child's developmental milestones and comparing them with peers might provide additional insight into whether the child should postpone kindergarten and go to preschool instead, which can offer a crucial foundation and enhance the child's readiness for formal schooling.