Move to Big School

Is my child ready for school?

Many parents are concerned that if they send their child to school too early that they will have difficulty catching up with the rest of the class. It is not the age of the child that matters as much as their stage of development. Here are a few key questions to ask:

Can my child speak clearly and be understood by strangers?
Is my child able to express their needs, e.g. ask to go to the toilet?
Can my child put on and off his or her coat, shoes etc.?
Can my child manage a lunch box, open and carton or pour a drink?
Can my child go to the toilet and wash their hands?
Is my child able to wait in turn for a few minutes?
Can my child sit quietly and listen to a story?
Can my child understand basic concepts such as little/large, heavy/light, under/over?
Is my child able to sort and match objects?
Can my child follow a basic sequence?

Remember that children do not have to be able to read and write, spell, count etc when going to school, they will learn all these things at school.

A preschool child must develop their gross motor skills to a certain level in order to progress in their fine motor skills. As they masters there fine motor skills, by cutting shapes, tracing letters, tying shoes, they becomes ready to internally manipulate and use words and math concepts.

Please feel free to discuss your child’s readiness for big school.

Practicalities for their first day at school

It helps if you can drop and pick up your child from school for the first few days, Many schools have a shorter day for a week or even a few weeks to ease the children in. Try and find out the last activity the children will engage in before going home as you can then tell your child that you will be back to pick him/her up after that activity, for example after the teacher has read a story.

Practicalities

Visit the school before the first day and meet the teacher with your child. Drive past the school before term starts. Park and walk around the school if you can to familiarise your child with his/her new surroundings.
Make sure your child knows how to use the toilet properly
When buying such items as a coat, lunch box or school bag, make sure your child can open and close them with ease. Make sure the drinks container does not leak.
Little things (like soggy sandwiches) can sometimes upset your child. If your child cannot zip his/her coat take time to teach him/her. Footwear with velcro is preferable.
If there is any change to your schedule at home eg working late or studying, check that this has not adversely affected your child. Your child may notice your absence more than usual if it coincides with starting school.
Friendships are very important to your child. Invite your child’s new school friends to your home.
Spend time with your child each evening if you can. Language is central to the learning process. Talk and listen to your child.
Research has shown that an ability to identify rhyming words is an important pre-reading skill. Your child will learn nursery rhymes in school but you should teach some more at home. Reading to your child cultivates an interest in reading and hopefully in life-long learning.

You know your child best, if you have any concerns or questions talk to the teacher not only on the first day but through the first year and right throughout your child’s time in school.