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My Child’s Psychological Test Experience at Kindergarten in a Small Town in Indonesia

When my eldest child, Cikal, was in kindergarten, I once suggested to the principal that it would be helpful if the school offered psychological tests. Unfortunately, before anything could be arranged, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted all school activities.

Five years later, it was my youngest child’s turn, Bontot, to start kindergarten. By then, the principal had changed, and psychological testing had officially become part of the program.

At first, I was excited. Bontot has always found reading more difficult than his older brother, and I wanted to understand his learning style better. I thought the test might be the right step to guide us as parents. Without hesitation, I paid the fee.

The Day of the Results: DISSAPOINTED

I remember sitting in the results session, waiting for the psychologist to explain everything. The main points were:

• High IQ

• Easily distracted by gadgets. Screen time should be reduced

• Refuses to be taught by parents. External tutoring recommended.

Everything was accurate. Still, when I asked about the challenges we faced at home, like resistance to reading practice, the psychologist only replied, “You just need to condition things according to the child’s needs.”

That was it. No detailed advice. No practical solutions. Just the result sheet. I walked away feeling that something was missing. DISSAPOINTED

When The Test Becomes Mandatory

Later, I discovered something that really troubled me:

• The psychological test was mandatory at this kindergarten

• Parents had no choice, even if they didn’t want the test or couldn’t afford it

• For children struggling with learning, the standard solution given to parents was always the same: send them to tutoring

And here’s the issue: psychological tests should never be mandatory.

Every family’s situation is different. Some parents may not have the financial means, others may prefer alternative approaches, and some may want to wait until the child is older. Making it compulsory ignores the diversity of families and the fact that not all parents need or want the same intervention.In my view, schools should offer psychological testing as an option, a supportive tool for parents who want it, not as a requirement.

Also read: Our Kindergarten Experience: From a Calistung-Focused School to a Play-Based One

Living in a small Indonesian town means fewer choices when it comes to education. While parents in big cities might find specialized programs, diverse tutors, and flexible schools, in small towns the options are more rigid. The mandatory psychological test is a clear example. Instead of empowering parents, it risks burdening them, financially and emotionally, while offering only limited solutions.I believe parents should have a voice in deciding whether such tests are necessary for their child. After all, we know our children best.

Both of my kids went to the same kindergarten.

My first child spent two years there. After just one year, she was already able to read. By the end of the second year, she could read fluently and was fully prepared for elementary school.At that time, the headmaster had a strong focus on early literacy and numeracy (known locally as calistung – reading, writing, and arithmetic). This approach made the kindergarten well-known in the area for producing children who were academically ready for primary school.

Many parents rushed to enroll their children there because of its reputation.

However then, things changed. The kindergarten was sold.

The new headmaster believed that kindergarten should be a fun and playful environment, not focused on academics or calistung. The school shifted toward a more relaxed, play-based learning model and became just another regular kindergarten.My second child attended under this new leadership.

Honestly, I was disappointed.