ABSTRACT
Entrance to school marks the beginning of middle childhood and a critical transition point for children. Unlike educational opportunities for younger children, which vary according to the financial means and dispositions of parents, school is equally available to all children, regardless of their economic or social circumstances. School should serve an equalizing function by providing opportunities for children to make up for shortcomings in the learning environments they experienced as young children. Ideally, school entry would be a second chance for children to get onto a positive developmental pathway.
