Are you preparing your child for school?

Do you have a little school starter?

 As the school year gets closer, getting your child ready for their first day can be both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. Here are some tips to help your little one adjust to school and become more independent.

Encouraging Independence

• Self-Help Skills: Teach your child to dress themselves, including putting on shoes and jackets. Practice together to boost their confidence.

• Bathroom Basics: Make sure your child feels comfortable using the toilet on their own. Talk about hygiene, like washing hands.

• Decision-Making: Let your child make simple choices, like picking out their clothes or choosing snacks for school. It helps them feel in control.

• Problem-Solving: Encourage your child to think through little challenges, like sharing toys or resolving minor conflicts with friends.

  
  

Key Skills to Work on Before School Starts

• Social Skills: Set up playdates or group activities so your child can learn to interact with others. Teach them about sharing, taking turns, and expressing their feelings.

• Listening Skills: Practice following simple instructions at home, like “Please put your toys away” or “Can you bring me your shoes?” This will help them get used to classroom expectations.

• Basic Literacy and Numeracy: Introduce letters, numbers, and shapes through fun games. Reading together every day can really boost their language skills.

• Daily Routines: Create a consistent daily routine that includes waking up, meals, playtime, and bedtime. This helps your child understand what a school day looks like.
  

Getting Emotionally Ready

• Talk About School: Discuss what school will be like, including meeting new friends and learning new things. Use positive language to create excitement.

• Recognise Their Feelings: Acknowledge any worries your child might have about starting school. Let them know it’s totally normal to feel a bit nervous and that you’re there to support them.

• Visit the School: If you can, take your child to see the school before the first day. Getting familiar with the place can help ease their nerves.

  
  

Logistical Preparations

• Get Supplies: Involve your child in choosing school supplies like backpacks and lunchboxes. This makes them feel more excited about school.

• Morning Routine: Practice the morning routine a few times before school starts, including getting dressed, having breakfast, and packing their bag. This will help ease any morning stress.

• Homework Space: Set up a quiet, organized spot for your child to do homework and study. This helps them develop good habits from the start.

  
  

PLAY

Play is crucial! Play isn’t just something kids do — it’s how they learn best. When your child stacks blocks, plays dress-up, or sings silly songs, they’re actually practising important school-readiness skills like listening, speaking, problem-solving, and even early reading. Through play, they’re learning how to focus, follow directions, ask questions, and make sense of the world around them — all the stuff they’ll need when they start school. So most importantly, let them play!