[Functional fitness of a child for schooling: retrospective and actuality].

Physiological systems and functions in children are known to develop unevenly (heterochronously). For this reason many of them enter school functionally immature, i.e. unfit for studies. This paper presents results of retrospective surveys on school immaturity, its effect on fatigability, health status, and academic performance. The commonest underdeveloped functions are identified and their use as indicators of school immaturity is considered. Methods for the prevention and correction of school immaturity are described bearing in mind an ever increasing fraction of functionally unprepared 6-7 year-old children. Social factors responsible for school immaturity and its late negative consequences for the health of children entering school at the age of 6 years are discussed. In view of close relationship between the child's age and school immaturity, it is proposed to reintroduce compulsory school attendance at 7 into new schooling standards.