Low birth weight, for example, is a risk factor for future health and learning problems. Untreated childhood illnesses, such as ear infections, can interfere with the normal language development of a young child. Social and Emotional Development Children learn positive self regard through the messages, both spoken and unspoken, given to them daily by the important adults in their lives. When children feel good about themselves and their abilities, they have the confidence needed to learn new things. On the other hand, children who are ignored, criticized, or punished for exploring their world, become discouraged, passive and unwilling to try new things.
Social skills are an important aspect of readiness.
Research shows that if children are not socially competent by age 6, they are at risk for social and emotional problems for the rest of their lives. Children should have opportunities from a very early age to work and play with other children in order to practice social skills and learn to get along with one another. Getting along with others and knowing how to manage one's behavior in a group are critical to good school adjustment. Approaches Toward Learning The ways that children approach the task of learning may be as important as what they know when they come to school. From a very early age, children need opportunities to safely explore their environments in ways that create the desire to find out more.