Incorrect? Singular subject with plural pronoun

[patran]

I am always told by my English teacher to match plurals to plural, singular to singular. However, I find it not necessary.

Eg: When a child attends preschool, they get the basics down, the things they should know before going to kindergarten if they want to be academically successful.

Source: Top Ten List on Why Preschool is Important (website of preschoolfun 'doct' net/1917/top-ten-list-on-why-preschool-is-important/)

Is it incorret to match "a child" to "they"? Or simply bad grammer?

Please advise

Anthony the student

 

[SlickVic9000]

(Not a Teacher)

I would say whoever wrote this was mistaken. 'They' should be 'he' or 'she'.

 

[Barb_D]

Using "they" as a gender-neutral singular pronoun has been in practice a long time. Even Shakespeare did it.