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Thursday 6 September 2012

Starting School tips


Starting School ,Preparing your child for school.

Whether its is because children start school to early , some have just turned 4 when they start school or whether parents or nursery are not preparing children for school. Many are coming to school nowadays without basic skills.


  • They can not dress themselves.
  • They can not cut up their own food.
  • They don't know when to ask for help by putting up their hand.
  • They have no manners.
You need to prepare your child for school in conjunction with your nursery  or any one else involved in your child's care.
  • Visit the nursery or school with your child to give them an opportunity to see what the class does.
  • Explain what will happen during the school day ,: play at school children will love being the teacher!.
  • Read books about starting school.
  • Reinforce the activities that your child interests and the things they will enjoy " there's be lots of duplo to play with- you love building" or "There's a teddy you can take on holiday!."
  • Talk about the fun activities you already do at home that will be replicated in school such as painting,drawing,craft activities story time etc.
Before there first day.... well before their first day that is. You might want to check a few things with the school.

  • What's the typical school day.
  • Toilet trained our child where possible- though not a problem if your child has learning delays etc as school will have an intimate care plan in place.
And these tips are the ones that will make your life, your child life much easier at school as it is often the little things that upset them such as not being able to put on their own coat.

  • Try and mimic the timings of the school day where possible "Oh Look it's 12 o' clock the children at school are having their lunch now."

  • Practice doing up buttons and fastening shoes.... Velcro is ideal but as they get older laces are ideal especially as by the time they get to senior school : Velcros trainers  really are not cool.


  • Practise social skills, such as taking turns, following directions and making choices
  • Visit friends with children or invite other children to play
  • Teach simple  jobs that may be useful at school, such as packing away toys. The teacher doesn't want to break their neck on a stray sheep now do they?

  • Help your child to recognise his name - most children can't read or write yet, but they may be able to recognise the first letter of their name or even the whole thing
Remember, all these activities should be fun - it's important not to pressurise your child. If you're making your child in the least bit anxious, stop talking about it quite so much.

5 comments:

  1. Some very sensible advice there, it's amazing that so many children are not prepared, it is a big thing but they should be ready by the time they start.

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  2. great tips...im panicking already and ive got a whole year and a half to go :(

    aaarrgghh. cutting up food? tidying toys? ermmmmmm he can recognise his name!

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  3. yes I was amazed when my eldest started school at 41/2 she was able to read many things, knew her name, could write and count, could follow instructions and do as she was told, but so many of them could not.
    I use to cringe at the parents who use to say" The school will sort them out" "teacher will show them" "they will need to do what the teacher tells them" etc etc - well if you as a parent can not achieve the basics in 5 years why should a teacher be held responsible?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great tips.

    I would love for you to link up at the Empty Your Archive party which has starting school as one of it's themes this week - Alice @ Mums Make Lists x

    ReplyDelete

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