Which condition best describes school readiness?

The concept of school readiness encompasses various dimensions that contribute to a child's ability to thrive in a school environment. The best description of school readiness is the development sufficient for acquiring basic academic skills. This includes foundational abilities such as early literacy and numeracy, as well as cognitive skills that enable a child to understand and engage with the curriculum upon entering school.

This option emphasizes the importance of having the necessary skills to begin learning in a structured educational setting. School readiness is not solely about academic achievements or social interactions; rather, it is about ensuring that children have reached a developmental stage that enables them to effectively absorb and process new information. By focusing on the development necessary for acquiring these basic academic skills, this option aligns with the broader understanding of what it means to be school-ready—being prepared to learn and participate in an educational environment.

While social engagement and emotional maturity are also important aspects of school readiness, they serve as complementary components rather than the primary focus. Advanced academic skills, in contrast, suggest a level of achievement that goes beyond what is typically expected of children at the onset of their formal education. Therefore, the emphasis on foundational skills central to option C makes it the most accurate descriptor of school readiness.