Preparing for School

How to get your child prepared for school.

Your child's first day at primary school, nursery or playgroup is a big step for both them and you as a parent. You may be feeling anxious and worried but you should try not to transfer these feelings to your child. However, there are plenty of practical things that you can do to prepare them, such as talking to your child about school and helping to develop their practical skills.

Talking to your child

Your child may be anxious about what to expect on the first day at school. If so, one way of helping them is to talk through their fears:

· explain where they'll be going, what they'll be doing, and for how long

· answer questions and iron out any fears by asking what they think the school might be like

· emphasise the things they may enjoy doing

· don't dismiss your child's fears - things that seem obvious or silly to an adult can seem like terrible obstacles to a five year old.

· build on practical skills, if children have a good idea of what school is going to be like and have already experienced learning activities at home and in other settings, they're less likely to find the experience stressful. Games, role-plays and reading at home can help your child get into the right frame of mind and boost their confidence.

Activities for your child could include:

· playing games that involve taking turns

· speaking in front of a group

· playing with children of a similar age to develop social skills

· reading books about starting school

· using your child's favourite toys to role-play going to school

· painting and drawing, which involve sitting down for short periods of time

In the run-up to the first day of term you could:

· involve your child in choosing things they need for school such as school bags or uniforms

· visit the school with your child so they become familiar with the building and the local area

· most schools have arrangements to support your child's transition into school which you may want to enquire about

· establish a routine and discuss what might be happening at school at different times of the day

What your child should be able to do before they start school

· they should be able to understand instructions, take turns and make choices

· they should be already aware of doing chores such as clearing away toys

· they should be able to ask to go to the toilet and be able to wipe their bottom and wash their hands afterwards

You can help support your child in their first weeks in primary school by establishing routines at home, showing that you value their progress, and encouraging them to take pride in their work.

After the first day

If your child has been to a nursery or reception class, they may have had some preparation for primary school and so their transition may be smooth. However, they might still find their initial weeks a period of change and stress.

Your child may be more tired than usual and need time to relax. You may find that rather than becoming more 'grown up', they may regress or become more difficult or defiant, in response to the stress of a new routine.

Your child may also have concerns about making friends or be more withdrawn than usual.

What you can do

In order to provide support or help your child through what can sometimes be a difficult first phase, it may help to:

· set aside time with your child to talk about school and take an interest in what they have been doing

· listen carefully to any worries your child might have

· find out as much as possible about your child's school and what happens there during the day

· try to keep a regular routine at home to keep stress to a minimum

· make sure your child knows what is happening on a day-to-day basis and is informed in advance about any changes to their routine

· encourage your child to build friendships with children in their class

· keep positive as some problems may be resolved as your child adapts to a new way of life

If you cannot sort out problems your child has by talking to them, you may find it useful to talk to your child's teacher about your concerns.

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