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!!
