Key checklist for this stage
- In Korea, receive the school enrollment notice (usually in December) and check the date of the preliminary school gathering (usually in January).
- Before entry, confirm in the immunization registry that the age 4–6 boosters (DTaP 5th, polio 4th, MMR 2nd) and Japanese encephalitis vaccines are complete.
- Walk the route to school together and point out crossings and risky spots.
- Aim for 9–12 hours of sleep and an average of at least 60 minutes of active play a day.
- Plan after-school care (school after-school programs, local children's centers, etc.) before school starts.
Getting ready for elementary school
In Korea, children start elementary school in March of the year after they turn 6. An enrollment notice usually comes through the local community center in December, and the school holds a preliminary gathering around January. Deferring entry is possible for specific reasons through a set procedure — check the guidance from the school and local education office.
At entry, Korean schools check vaccination records (DTaP 5th, polio 4th, MMR 2nd, Japanese encephalitis). If anything is missing, it's best to catch up before school starts.
Life skills come before academics. Practicing using the toilet alone, eating school lunch independently, keeping track of belongings and telling the teacher when they need help makes the first term much easier. Reading Korean is taught step by step in the first-grade curriculum.
Development and friendships
Body: coordination skills like jumping rope and riding a bike improve, baby teeth fall out and permanent teeth come in. Growth in height is fairly steady.
Thinking and feelings: children understand and want to follow rules, and become sensitive about winning and losing. Friends become important — best friends appear, and they fight and make up. In the new school environment, children may be tired and irritable for the first few months.
Parents help most by listening rather than fixing. Specific questions like 'What was the most fun thing today?' keep conversations going.
Study habits
- Do homework or reading briefly (10–20 minutes) at the same time and place every day.
- Praise effort and process specifically, not results ('You kept going to the end').
- Let your child pack their bag and supplies for the next day; parents just check.
- Keep up bedtime reading even after your child can read alone.
Sleep, activity and health
Children aged 6–12 are recommended to sleep 9–12 hours a day. School mornings start earlier, so move bedtime earlier in advance. It's best to keep screens out of the bedroom.
WHO recommends that children aged 5–17 get an average of at least 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous activity, plus bone- and muscle-strengthening activity at least 3 days a week. Time outdoors is also known to help protect against nearsightedness.
In Korea, first graders have a school health checkup. When the first permanent molars come in, ask the dentist about sealants. A yearly flu shot is also recommended.
Road and online safety
- Even in school zones, practice stopping at crossings, looking both ways and raising a hand to cross.
- In the car, keep using a booster seat until the seat belt fits, and seat children in the back.
- Practice saying 'No!' if a stranger tries to take them, then going to a busy place to ask for help.
- For a first phone or tablet, turn on parental controls and use it only in shared spaces. Teach your child not to open messages or links from strangers and to show them to a parent.
Vaccines & checkups in this stage
Korea's Childhood Vaccine Schedule → Infant and Child Health Checkups →
FAQ
Can we delay school entry by a year?
In Korea, deferring entry is possible for reasons such as development or health, through a set procedure. Timing and documents can differ by region and school, so check the enrollment notice and your local education office. Talking with a pediatrician or developmental specialist beforehand helps.
Which vaccines must be done before school?
Korean schools check DTaP 5th, polio 4th, MMR 2nd and Japanese encephalitis vaccines at entry. Check your child's record on the immunization registry website or app, and catch up on anything missing before school starts.
How much should I help with first-grade homework?
At first, sit beside them to help get started, then gradually move to doing it alone and having you check. Asking 'Which part was hard?' builds the habit better than doing it for them.
My child cries and doesn't want to go to school.
This is common at the start. Unhurried mornings and picking up on time usually help. If it lasts more than a few weeks, you suspect friendship problems or bullying, or physical complaints keep coming back, talk with the teacher.
Sources
- Ministry of Education elementary school enrollment guidance (Korea)
- KDCA immunization registry
- Korean Pediatric Society
- AAP HealthyChildren.org
- WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) sleep duration recommendations
Medical information is for reference only. This is general information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your child's doctor. In an emergency in Korea, call 119.
Related
Children make up stories and start rule-based games with friends. Before elementary school, it's time for booster shots and the last infant checkups.
Age 8–10Ages 8–10 (middle elementary)Independence and the weight of friendships grow. Some children begin showing the first signs of puberty. It's also a good time to set rules for a first smartphone.
Korea's Childhood Vaccine ScheduleIn Korea, national vaccines are free at public health centers and designated clinics. Plan ahead using the standard schedule, and check exact dates and your child's record on the KDCA Immunization Helper.
Daycare, Kindergarten, and ChildcareWhere to place your child depends on their age, your work hours, and your child's temperament. There is no single right answer; the key is choosing what fits your family and easing in slowly.
Media and screen timeThe younger the child, the more they need human interaction, active play and sleep rather than screens. Instead of banning screens perfectly, aim for age-appropriate limits and family rules so media is used well and in moderation.
Teeth and Oral CareBrushing starts the day the first tooth appears. A rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste, no bottle in bed, and a first dental visit around the first birthday are the basics of cavity prevention.