Children's difficulties in enrolling in the first grade of elementary school
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13112/pc.1189Keywords:
School; Child Development; Retrospective Studies; Language Development DisordersAbstract
Aim of the study: To present the results of the assessment of children’s psychosomatic maturity at enrolment in the first grade of primary school, to identify the most common difficulties detected during routine medical examinations, and to examine the trend of increasing postponement of school enrolment over five years.
Participants and Methods: The study was conducted from the 2021/2022 to the 2025/2026 school years. A retrospective analysis of preventive health records of 22,899 children examined for enrolment in the first grade of primary school in Split-Dalmatia County was performed. The reasons for the postponement of enrolment and the most common difficulties identified during routine medical examinations were analysed.
Results: During the observed period, a continuous increase in the proportion of children with postponed school enrolment was recorded, rising from 9.5 % in the 2021/2022 school year to 13.4 % in 2025/2026. Among children with postponed enrolment, the most common reasons were ADHD and other hyperkinetic disorders, delayed expected physiological development, and specific developmental motor disorders. In the overall population of examined children, the most frequently identified conditions were specific speech and language development disorders, obesity, poor posture, visual impairments, and dental caries, with a decrease in the prevalence of caries observed over time.
Conclusion: Developmental difficulties, particularly in attention, motor, and overall psychophysical development, indicate the need for earlier identification and timely interventions, which may reduce long-term negative effects on child development and lower the risk of psychosocial problems and limited educational opportunities.
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