- Before the child begins do a lot of positive talking about what happens at school. Show them that you are confident that they will manage the new challenge. Encourage the experience.
- Show your child around the school, make sure they are familiar with their surroundings especially the toilets, bubblers, the classroom and the pick up place.
- Make sure they are quite comfortable being separated from the parent/ carer.
- Prepare your child for a more structured day. This may be in the form of pre-school or day care or just following a daily routine. Eg meal time, reading time, play time.
- Talk to the child about what happens when they hear the school bell /music/ siren.
- Practise dressing /doing up buttons, shoe laces (not essential)
- Make sure the child can unwrap their lunch-(especially glad wrap)
- “Break” their shoes in to save blisters.
- Label your child’s equipment/clothes.
- If the child is catching public transport make sure you practise the journey. several times. ( going with an older child is often a good idea)
- Organise to have a child over to play which will help build friendships.
- Talk to your child and listen to what he/ she is saying.
- Don’t overload your child with after school activities.
- Read Read Read Read
- Stranger danger education
- Talk to other parents and share experiences
- Consult the teacher if family circumstances change, Teachers have the child’s best interests at heart,
There are many friendships that begin in Kinder and continue through out life. Make sure you encourage and f oster these friendships.
How Can Parents help prepare children for school?
School can be a scary place for beginners.
The buildings are bigger; play grounds are busier with lots of children from the age of 5-12years with less adult support.
Rules to get used to and many new things that are expected to be done.
Morning tea/ lunch can be very frightening for beginners and can be very long.
Children get very tired and are sometimes use to a rest – some children get very stressed.
Children need your support especially in the first couple of weeks.
First impressions are lasting impressions.
We want them to be happy.
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Age is very important- look at the big picture.
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Separate happily from the parent/carer
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Able to recognise and write their name.
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Find their own possessions which have been clearly marked.(especially their bag)
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Able to hold a pencil correctly. (fine motor skills)
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Use scissors correctly (fine motor skills)
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Know their colours
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Count to 10+
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Know the basic shapes.
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Able to listen attentively to stories.
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Put their hand up to answer/ask a question.
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Know some letters/sounds.
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Unwrap their food.
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Television/computer/Playstation etc in moderation
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Tidy their own things.
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Answer their questions –children have enquiring minds, especially about print and writing.
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Write messages for your child.(whiteboards)
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Read menus, street signs, packet lables. Write shopping lists.
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Television/computer/Playstation etc in moderation
Happy children are learning children.