Top tips from teachers

Starting school for the first time can feel like a big move for any child, especially in terms of what to expect at school. With the right preparation, what could be a daunting activity can become a new adventure!

Encourage your child to look at books

Flicking through a book, looking at pictures, and reading the words aloud is all part of building up to enjoy reading. 5 minutes a day is all it takes to get the interest started.

Try to look confident and happy when you drop off your child

Your child will pick up on your emotions: if you appear upset, your child will respond to this.

Encourage your child to be independent with things

It can be little things, like putting on their coat and hanging up their bag by themselves, or having a go before asking an adult, but they can really make them confident when starting school.

Starting in a new environment can be a tiring experience

Your child may seem more tired than usual in the first few days or weeks. Don’t worry, this is perfectly normal.

Practise some basic motor skills

Practise holding a pencil, writing/mark-making from left to right, or even putting on a coat.

Social skills are very important

Some children who don’t have siblings spend very little time with other children before entering school. As a result, they can sometimes be egocentric and struggle to comprehend sharing toys or the teacher’s attention. Practise sharing and playing with other children beforehand by taking them to a playgroup or a friend’s house. Learning to lose is also vital, so play board or ball games together too.