Starting school is a major milestone for your child and the rest of the family. As parents it is important that before your child starts school that you should show them a positive attitude to school. You should answer any questions they may have. By discussing their concerns they will be more content and prepared for this exciting time in their lives.
The Big Day!
Your child will be feeling a mixture of emotions - excitement, apprehension and frightened, you must reassure them and be confident about the day. Once your child is settled leave them with a quick kiss and a big smile - reassure them you'll be back later. Do not be surprised if your child suddenly displays separation difficulties - it may have dawned on them that this is not a temporary arrangement! Be on time to pick up your child to prevent any anxiety.
Above all, enjoy the experience - it will only happen once for your child!
Your child will be feeling a mixture of emotions - excitement, apprehension and frightened, you must reassure them and be confident about the day. Once your child is settled leave them with a quick kiss and a big smile - reassure them you'll be back later. Do not be surprised if your child suddenly displays separation difficulties - it may have dawned on them that this is not a temporary arrangement! Be on time to pick up your child to prevent any anxiety.
Above all, enjoy the experience - it will only happen once for your child!
Promote Independence
It is difficult to predict how we or our children will react to their first days at school but some preparation will assist them settling into school life.
• Practise putting on shoes, fastening buckles, tying laces.
• Fasten their own coat.
• Get dressed and undressed.
• Peel their own fruit.
• Do up their own clothes after using the toilet.
• Care for their own personal hygiene after using the toilet.
• Use a pair of scissors.
• Make your child familiar with the school before they start.
• They should know the name of their class teacher.
• Help your child be comfortable spending time with other people - this will help them with separation on the day.
• Praise their efforts at every opportunity.
It is difficult to predict how we or our children will react to their first days at school but some preparation will assist them settling into school life.
• Practise putting on shoes, fastening buckles, tying laces.
• Fasten their own coat.
• Get dressed and undressed.
• Peel their own fruit.
• Do up their own clothes after using the toilet.
• Care for their own personal hygiene after using the toilet.
• Use a pair of scissors.
• Make your child familiar with the school before they start.
• They should know the name of their class teacher.
• Help your child be comfortable spending time with other people - this will help them with separation on the day.
• Praise their efforts at every opportunity.
Starting school requires that your child will have certain skills.
Communication - Able to communicate with adults and peers. Have the confidence to ask for help if they need it. Your child will have opportunities to discuss with their teacher and other children in pairs, groups and whole class.
Ability to accept authority - Will respond appropriately to correction/suggestion/direction.
Concentration - Able to spend time alone on an activity - book, bricks, sand, jigsaws etc.
Co-ordination - Able to hold pencil, turn page of book, cut paper. Able to listen - Listen to story, to other children, to teacher. Able to share with other children Able to be "Away from home alone" Hopefully through previous experience.
Remember:
Have Fun. Play with your child. Read with your child. Talk to your child.