Getting School Ready
As the end of summer looms close, lots of little ones are preparing to start school for the first time. As parents, we want our kids to have the best start to their education, so here are my top teacher tips for getting school ready.
Encourage them to become more independent in everyday tasks. Nursery and P1 classrooms can have 25+ children in them with a range of needs. They are busy places! Therefore there is an expectation that the children will be able to complete many tasks independently. Teach your child how to put on their coat and zip it up. Top tip- put it on by putting the hood on your head, then putting in your arms, this makes it much easier for a little one to get on! Teach them to put on their own shoes. You can use a smiley face sticker, cut in half on the inner sole to indicate left and right. Snack time is a very important time in the early years. Teaching your little one to pour their own milk/ water, butter their own toast and clean the dishes will give them a good head start on learning the necessary skills for snack time. Encourage them to cut up their own food and drink from a cup.
Encourage early number skills. Teach your child to count to ten. Sing counting songs eg. 10 little speckled frogs, 5 little men, 10 fat sausages- search for ‘counting songs’ on YouTube for lots more ideas! Count everyday objects in your home eg. pasta shells, cups, teddies. Look for numbers around you to develop recognition of numbers eg. on house doors, on food packets. Read stories which focus on numbers eg. The Hungry Caterpillar, Handa’s Surprise.
Develop reading readiness. Your child is not expected to be able to read before they start school, however, you can do lots of things to develop the necessary skills which form a foundation to learning to read. Familiarise your child with books and help them develop a love of reading. (See my previous blog on this). Most libraries are free and run lots of events to encourage children to enjoy reading. Sing nursery rhymes and songs to develop phonological awareness (this is an understanding of the sounds which make up words).
Develop fine motor skills. Your child will be learning to use a pencil and scissors in school. Give them experience of using these objects at home. They can practise cutting by cutting up old catalogues or magazines. Give them different surfaces to explore drawing on, such as whiteboards, paper, cardboard or even writing in sand. Insist on correct pencil grip and don’t let your child form an incorrect grip. Get them to put their index finger and thumb together, like a little crocodile- snappy fingers. Use this to help them hold their pencil properly.
Develop gross motor skills. This will help them with tasks such as putting on their coat. Gross motor skills are fun and easy to develop. It can be as simple as a visit to the park or throwing and catching a ball. Obstacle courses, Simon Says and keeping up a balloon are also great activities to develop gross motor skills.
Paint a positive picture of school. Your little one may be more nervous than they seem. Talk about school as a positive place. Look for books or TV programmes which are about starting school eg. Topsy and Tim or CBeeBees Time for School. Don’t use school as a threat for managing behaviour ie. “Wait until your teacher hears how bold you’ve been.” Talk to your child about the school routine, familiarise them with the names of key staff and involve them in choosing a coat, school bag etc to help them get excited about this new start.
Starting school is a huge milestone in your little one’s life. But with good support at home and in school, all children can flourish and enjoy a positive school experience. As parents, it can be so emotional to watch them walk through the classroom door, away from your care. I get a little emotional every time my little one moves to a new class. But having been on the other side of it, I know that your child’s teacher will welcome them with all the care and attention your child needs. So rest easy, they are in safe hands!