Wednesday 12 February 2014

My child is starting school soon...

Starting school is a big step for children. It might not be so bad if they have been to nursery or pre-school but it’s still an important transition in their lives ....and yours!

Most parents want to help their children be as ready as possible but don’t really know what they should do.  Some think that they should teach their children to count or know their ABCs but there are actually more important things you can do.

What can do you to make sure your child is ready?
We talked to lots of Tamworth parents whose children were in reception and some reception teachers to ask their advice. They suggested you try to get them to:
 Concentrate for short periods e.g. to read a story, complete a simple puzzle

·        Understand and carry out simple instructions  e.g. fetch your shoes and coat, bring the cups and bowls

·         Make  their needs known eg when they need the toilet, when they’re cold, hungry or unwell.

·         Identify things in a group that are different, and differentiate between opposites such as day and night, light and dark etc.

·         Play cooperatively with other children - share and take turns

·         Go to the toilet, eat and dress with minimal assistance

·         Recognise their own belongings eg coat, bag

·         Uses a variety of things (pens, pencils,  paintbrushes, sticks in the sand) to draw or to scribble 

·         Use scissors to cut along a straight line

All these things will help them be ready for the demands of the classroom.

The Tamworth Children’s Centres have a great variety of activities which will help your child be ready for school e.g. 

·         Sessions with stories and songs helps develop language and communication skills as well as pre-reading skills

·         Craft and messy play is helps pre-writing and pre-maths skills

·         Playing with other children helps their personal, social and emotional development 

The children’s centres are a really good place to meet other families as well as a source of advice and support.


Come and see what we can offer!!

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