Starting School : Preparing Your Child For School

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.

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•   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?

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•   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.