Starting School ,Preparing your child for school.

Whether its is because children start school to early , some have just turned 4 when they start school or whether parents or nursery are not preparing children for school. Many are coming to school nowadays without basic skills.

• They can not dress themselves.
• They can not cut up their own food.
• They don't know when to ask for help by putting up their hand.
• They have no manners.

Image courtesy of [ imagerymajestic],/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You need to prepare your child for school in conjunction with your nursery  or any one else involved in your child's care.

• Visit the nursery or school with your child to give them an opportunity to see what the class does.
• Explain what will happen during the school day ,: play at school children will love being the teacher!.
• Read books about starting school.
• Reinforce the activities that your child interests and the things they will enjoy " there's be lots of duplo to play with- you love building" or "There's a teddy you can take on holiday!."
• Talk about the fun activities you already do at home that will be replicated in school such as painting,drawing,craft activities story time etc.

Before there first day.... well before their first day that is. You might want to check a few things with the school.

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• What's the typical school day.

• Toilet trained our child where possible- though not a problem if your child has learning delays etc as school will have an intimate care plan in place.

And these tips are the ones that will make your life, your child life much easier at school as it is often the little things that upset them such as not being able to put on their own coat.

• Try and mimic the timings of the school day where possible "Oh Look it's 12 o' clock the children at school are having their lunch now."

• Practice doing up buttons and fastening shoes.... Velcro is ideal but as they get older laces are ideal especially as by the time they get to senior school : Velcros trainers  really are not cool.
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• Practise social skills, such as taking turns, following directions and making choices
• Visit friends with children or invite other children to play
• Teach simple  jobs that may be useful at school, such as packing away toys. The teacher doesn't want to break their neck on a stray sheep now do they?
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• Help your child to recognise his name - most children can't read or write yet, but they may be able to recognise the first letter of their name or even the whole thing

Remember, all these activities should be fun - it's important not to pressurise your child. If you're making your child in the least bit anxious, stop talking about it quite so much.

The first day

The first day of school is one of your child's biggest milestones. How they react depends on many factors up to this pint such as home life etc, personality etc. If they have never been to nursery or playgroup adjustment may be a little more hard. So hopefully if you child has been to nursery / playgroup transition will be easier.

• Talk together about school and listen to any worries they may have.

• Include him in shopping trips to buy their school uniform or a fun lunchbox

• Be upbeat and positive - don't pass any of your worries to your child.

• Be informed - find out as much as possible about how the school works

The school will almost certainly give you information on any items your child needs, such as PE kit, and what happens at break time and lunch time, but be sure you ask if you have any queries.

The first weeks

Starting school can have a huge impact on your child, as it requires them to lead a double life. At home they aredependent, secure and loved, while at school he has to be independent and work hard to make others like him and to gain the approval of the teacher. So it is very hard for children to switch hats.

Problems can occur if their school and home lives are out of harmony. Family tensions at home, for example, can lead him to be distracted and unable to concentrate at school.

During the first few months, try to avoid major changes and keep home life as calm, stable and supportive as possible. Familiar routines are particularly important. Your child's likely to want to find the house as they left it when he gets home.

They should also know who'll collect them and when. Any changes to this routine should be explained.

A warm welcome home is essential. Give them some undivided attention - sit down together and share a snack and chat about the day.

Don't be surprised if there's some deterioration in your child's behaviour or a regression to more babyish ways. It's common for children to display negative or defiant behaviour or to have tantrums. Remember, they are tired, needs attention and wants to reassert some power with you.

Some children have a positive start, then go off school once the novelty has worn off and they realise they have to keep going. If this is the case, it shouldn't last for long.

Share your concerns about this with your child's class teacher.

Common issues

• It is only natural you may find  yourself about your child few few weeks, months at starting school. You'll probably finding your self worrying at various  points in their school life if I am honest!.

• Your child doesn't seem to be making friends.

• Your child is not be picked for games or teams, this is a situation more typical of the playground and not whilst your child is being taught.

• joustled on the playground. Many school with keep reception children separate for a  while then integrated them and make sure that not too many children are on the playground at any one time.
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• Another big stresses is going to toilet at school if it was anything like my son he would not do a number 2 motion at school.
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• Also children get worried about not having enough time to eat at school .

• What you can do.

• You should speak to your child's teachers about any concerns you have. Listen to your child any little thing can be useful. try not to bombard them with asking them what they 've done they seldom remember that very moment. You can always ask them to draw you a picture and see what they produce- though being eaten by aliens probably did not occur during the school day.

•  Your child , will adapt you will adapt it is perhaps their self reliance that will make you sad in a way- they still need you just because they don't need you to put on their coat or wipe their nose,. They need you to guide them through living steering them in the way of the correct life choices.
• Don't assume your child's teacher will help them with coats/ shoes with a class of 30 its really not practical, of course they will help buts it going to take a really long time.
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• I can not stress enough how your world will change from meeting new friends yourself - to in encouraging your child in new hobbies and activities. To the wonders and pressures of the parties but that is a blog post for another time....

Moving from Reception to Year one transition help .

Working in an infant school is great , being their inspiration means the world to me, I say this because at the term received many gifts. It wasn't the wine or the chocolate that touched me but the cards, one in particular that had a sentiment from a parent. "............. comes home speaking of you fondly, thank you for making her Year 1 a magical time" I know that this child will make a happy transition into year 2 with absolutely no problems. For some children this however is not the case, so here are a few tips they make help the transition from reception to year one. pre Year one is know as EYFS ( Early Year foundation Stage) with a huge emphasis on play and free flow between the classes. There are structured activities within this but it is more relaxed.

So my top tips from moving from  Reception to year one are:

1. Remind them that when they moved from nursery to reception they had less play than when they did at nursery.


2. If they have siblings explain that will will leaning things to teach them and even yourself as parents. We all like to learn new things don't we?

3. Factor in treats and rewards to counteract the fact that there will be less playing, This doesn't have to cost you any money even a trip to the park can help.

4. If its of real concern have a word with the new class teacher before they start, sometimes they may have be split up from their friends. This is less likely to happen in year 1 but nether less it might, this is more of an issue in the transition from Infants to Juniors.


4. Don't forget they have just had  six weeks off, that is enough to confuse and disorientate the adults let alone the children.

5. Remind them that their Play times will be an opportunity to let off steam. I know that at my school time we have 'Golden Time ' where some sort of treat comes into play.


6. Routine is key try and keep to a routine during the holidays. They may go to bed later during the holidays, but week by week gradually bring this make to their usual bed time that they have when they are at school. Also always  make sure that they have had breakfast before they go to school, and not on the way to school. it is hard sometimes when you have a line line of children behind you making you look like ' The Old woman who lived in a shoe'

6. Encourage their development of characters they are keen to  be individuals , but need the safety nerd of the herd of the classroom!

7. Any child can find it hard to make the transition , I am not going to say its just boys that have these problems. It is the step up in concentrating that can also before an issue, So play games that help with with this situation again from snap - junior monopoly. Perhaps have a toy that will help them  go to school and be waiting for them when you pick them up.

8. Accept it is going to me a little tough for the first few weeks and don't forget the teacher/ teacher assistant is just as likely to be stressed ( despite it being their job)

9. Make them part of the process I can stress how important this is. Let them within reason choose their school shoes, bag etc. It really does make them feel grown up, though at the same time it has to be fun they are only children after all.

10.  Don't mourn them going into year one , I know its hard seeing them grow up. Try and focus on what joys and achievements this next stage will bring.

Also my school each class has its own bear which you can take on holiday or for the weekend . This teddy bear follows the class through their time at the Infant school, I think this is very sweet and another nice touch that makes the transition from school year to another school year that much easier.

Back to School Reading tips.

 Getting your child basically to read can can be like banging your head against a brick wall. Here are some simple tips that may help in that situation.


1. Find a quiet spot to read with them, squeeze in to a little play tent with them, make it an adventure. No distractions ! Ten - fifteen minutes is long enough. So if you want to start to read them the entire book of ' The Hobbit' is going to have to wait.

2. If your child doesn't pronounce the word correctly- first allow them to correct themselves. Encourage them to sound out the  word using the Alphabet sound. This is basically Phonics but don't get hung up on this it will come in time. A good place to find the frequency word is here click on Literacy then go to phonics . Go right to the bottom and you will find 100 frequency words.

http://www.communication4all.co.uk/HomePage.htm

3. If you are struggling at first choose a book without words. It doesn't matter that it doesn't have words, the things is to get them used to looking at a book reading and being comfortable.  This encourages them to talk about what they see and helps the with their comprehension and understanding of the book. Also if they say an word wrong don't say its wrong simply  ask them to read that sentence back asking them if that sentence makes sense with that word in it.

4. Tailor the book to their interests. For boys it might me snot,dirt,cars,bottom noises ()! dinosaurs, football etc. Books like  harry and his Bucket full of dinosaurs are lovely. For the girls its probably going to be cats , horses and ponies, fairies,ballet,or princesses. Of course this is a bit stereotyped and each child will  have other interests !

5. Hug your child while they  are reading , it is a wonderful thing it makes you feel loved and instill your child with pride and confidence,. one of those many quality you need for reading.

6. Why not read out side outdoor? learning is very important , why not make a story shoe box up; recreating a scene form a book you are reading perhaps change the story around a little, you could invent a different ending. Of you could even create a story setting in a tray or in your sandpit ? I am sure there is a product you can buy to encourage this , I will try and find it for you.

7. Try and remember what you enjoy reading as a child and go re visit those stories.

8. If you have any problems always go and see the teacher its what they are there for, and they are always happy you help and suggest things for you.

9. Don't fret just keep trying if they don't want to read today , go back to  it another day.

10 .  Have fun they are only young once !.

Photo is copright free(author(AKARAKINGDOMS)and is free from http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7980535829028668483&postID=2207412596963745666


And I sure that our local library will do story times for babies and toddles. Here is one I found for those of you in the leicestershire area http://www.leics.gov.uk/libraries_wriggly_readers