Children’s Emotional Development

Preparing Your Child to Start School

Starting school in an exciting time for young children and their parents. It can be a daunting time, too. But with a little preparation and encouragement, most children will settle in easily at school.

Childcare professionals have a great
deal of experience in helping children to cope with times of transition.

Here are some top tips,

Chat with your child about starting school. What do they think it will be like? What are they most looking forward to? Is there anything they’re unsure or worried about?

Read books together about starting school.

Look at the school’s brochure, prospectus or website together and talk about the pictures.

If your child seems anxious about school, try focusing on the things they’ll like best – maybe the sandpit, playhouse or new friends. Perhaps they have some friends from preschool who will be starting reception

Find photos of you and other family members at school, and chat about happy memories from your own school days.

If possible, visit the school with your child before they start – either on formal open days, or fêtes, plays and other events.

Practice the school morning routine, including getting dressed and eating breakfast in time to leave.

Going to the Toilet

Support your child to be confident about getting to the loo in time and wiping properly.

Washing Hands

Chat about the importance of good hand washing with soap and water, especially after going to the toilet.  Get your child to practice this with you.

Dressing and Undressing

Let your child practice putting on their school clothes, taking them off and folding them neatly in preparation for PE lessons.

Feeding themselves

School meals are available to all children from reception to Year 2.  Some schools will offer a packed lunch option.

Children having school dinners will need to be able to use a full-sized knife and fork.

If your child is taking their own lunch box make sure that they can open the packets inside.

Using a Tissue

Introduce your child to the routine of ‘catch it, bin it, kill it.’  It can be a difficult skill to master, so practice with them at home.

Being able to sit for a story

This is an important skill and one that is easy to learn if you share lots of books at home with your child.

Teachers are not looking for children to be able to write their name or know the names of letters.  The main points of being school ready are all related to your child being able to manage personal care on their own, being able to share resources and sit and listen when needed.