5 Top Tips to Prepare Your Child for Starting School

Is your little one starting school in September?

You may be feeling anxious but one way to help over the next couple of weeks is to begin getting into a routine. With just two weeks to go, it’s time to get into the school routine! Here are five key tips to help you and your child feel confident and ready for their first day:

1. Establish a Routine:

• Morning Routine: Practice getting dressed in the morning, eating breakfast, and brushing their teeth on time.
• Meal Times: Never easy but trying to have regular meal times will help regulate their energy levels.
• Sleep Schedule: Start adjusting their bedtime to match the school schedule to ensure your child is getting enough sleep.

2. Social Interaction:

• Playdates: Often there are online groups of your child’s year group – arrange playdates with children who will be attending the same school.
• Group Activities: Encourage participation in group activities at a local play centre to help develop social skills. This also helps you get to know other parents – they will often become lifelong friends as your children go through their schooling together.
• Positive Conversations: Chat at home positively about starting school, their new teacher, and about making new friends.

3. Independence Building:

• Self-Help Skills: Practice dressing, toileting, and opening lunchboxes independently. Make this fun for your child so they will want to do this by themselves.
• Listening and Sitting Skills: Play games that involve following instructions, like Simon Says. This will help them in the classroom when they have to sit and listen to the teacher. Although free play is encouraged in most reception classes, sitting and listening at the beginning and end of the day will also be part of the daily school routine.
• Confidence Boosting: Encourage your child to try new things, to express their thoughts and feelings. This will help you understand your child more and give you confidence in your child’s abilities.

4. School Visit:

• Familiarize the Environment: If possible, walk or drive to school in the next few weeks. Remind them of their visit to the school when they met the teacher and explored their classroom.
• Reduce Anxiety: Talk about what your child can expect to do at school positively, so that it reassures them that school will be an enjoyable experience.

5. Readiness for Learning:

• Story Time: Most children love to read with you. While reading ask them questions about the story or get your child to point out a picture on the page as this is what a teacher may do at school.
• Number Practice: Help them in everyday activities practice their numbers – count the apples from the packet to the fruit bowl.
• Fine Motor Skills: Doing activities like colouring, cutting and glueing helps to develop hand strength.

Every child is different, so adapt these tips to suit your child’s personality and needs. To finish I would like to give you three things to remember in the coming few weeks:

1. Show your child love, support, and enthusiasm for this exciting new chapter in their life!
2. Don’t get stressed as a parent. This will rub off on your child and they will be fine!!
3. Take a biscuit or treat for your child when they come out of school. This will help with energy levels until you get home for tea.

We’d like to wish you all a stress-free time in what is an exciting start to a new chapter!