Getting ready for school: What you need to know
When we first brought our curled up newborn home from hospital, the idea of him starting school seemed a distant impossibility. How would this milk-drunk creature unfurl himself to be able to walk and run, let alone start school as an independent boy, running off with his friends with barely a backward glance?
But here we are, four and three-quarter years later. And where that snuggled up baby was, we have instead a confident little boy who loves insects (like, a LOT), knows more about dinosaurs than I could ever hope to, and who talks about starting Reception with great enthusiasm.
Are they ready?
And while it is wonderful that he is so excited about starting school, sometimes as parents we worry. We worry about whether we have done enough, taught them enough or given them enough to prepare them for this next stage.
I can almost guarantee that if you are worrying about that, then you absolutely have.
Every conversation you have had with your child, each time you have responded to their questions or asked what they’re doing, every park trip, squirrel-spotting game, trip to the shops, or quiet time spent cuddling together, has led them to where they are now, ready to embark on this new adventure.
It doesn’t matter whether they can write their name yet or count to ten. What matters is the innate curiosity they have for the world.
This curiosity is what primes children to learn, together with the confidence they have from their relationships with their loved ones.
Getting ready - some practical skills
That isn’t to say there isn’t anything I’m focusing on to prepare my child for school. We have a few practical things we are practising.
I realised he’s never had to do up a button, so we found an old baby outfit that had been used as doll’s clothing, and he’s been practising fastening a couple of buttons every now and then. But with little pressure as I know that if he struggles to get changed after PE, his teachers will help him.
Other practical things you might want to consider practising are putting shoes on independently (shoes with Velcro strips are hugely helpful!) and going to the toilet without assistance.
Likewise, we’ve spoken about things that will feel unfamiliar like school dinners and the dinner hall.
We’ve discussed the different food they might have for lunch, and how he will sit with his friends to eat together. We’ve made sure to practise eating with a knife and fork, and opening drinks et cetera without help.
Of course, help will be at hand if necessary, and schools understand that a sometimes-noisy dinner hall can take a bit of getting used to!
Social skills
School is about much more than learning. It’s a very sociable environment, so we talk and listen to each other as much as possible at home, so we know how to talk and listen to our friends.
Playing games that require taking turns, such as snakes and ladders or memory card games, are also a great way to encourage your child to wait their turn knowing they will get their time soon, which will be an important skill in a classroom.
You can also meet up with friends for playdates. You might have met some children who will be in the same class as your child, but if not, any social interaction is good to encourage taking turns and building relationships, which can help, in turn, to build confidence.
Getting ready will be unique to your child and family
Your child will be walking their own path towards school, so try not to give too much headspace to what other children from the same class are doing and think about what you know will help your child.
Your app is filled with great activity ideas to support your child at their current stage of their individual journey, so you will find plenty of ways to practise skills from our six streams that are relevant for your child right now. The activities are fun and easy to set up, and often simply ways to enhance what you're already doing each day by adding some learning to your daily routine.
Read all about it
There are some lovely books available to borrow from your library, or to buy, which can help you and your child to prepare for some of the practical considerations, but also some of the emotions, that come with starting school.
My School Unicorn by Willow Evans follows Evie, who is feeling a little nervous about starting school. A surprise discovery in her pocket helps Evie feel brave, and she soon learns that school is lots of fun.
Starting School by Janet and Allan Ahlberg is another encouraging book to read to ease any nerves.
On the day
It’s natural for your child to perhaps feel a little nervous, so on the day itself you could consider something like ‘finger kisses’.
I have such strong memories of my mum doing this for me – she’d kiss the tip of my finger, and say it would last all day, so if I missed her, I could find a kiss from her waiting for me at the tip of my finger.
Other ideas include a little heart drawn inside their wrist that they can see to remember you, or a little piece of fabric sewn into a shape they like and placed into a pocket, to provide comfort it they are feeling a little wobbly.
You've got this!
As you start to prepare yourself and your child for September, remember that you will continue to play a huge part in their journey. Your child’s learning and development is a partnership between home and school.
Despite their increasing independence, your child will need your support, from a cuddle after school, to practising sounding out letters, to telling you all about their day... though they may not be keen to share straight after school when they might be a little tired, which can be hard when you are desperate for the low-down on their first day!
Remember to be gentle with yourself as well as your child as you both navigate these changes. It is a time of great excitement, but perhaps also a little sadness.
Allow yourself to feel whatever you're feeling. And don’t forget to give yourself a pat on the back for getting them this far. You’ve done a great job.
Share your experience, wisdom or worries
If you've experienced the transition to school with older children and have advice to share, or if you're feeling anxious about it and want to share your thoughts, join our parent community over on Facebook or send us a message through our social media on Instagram or TikTok.