Is Your Child Ready for School?

Self – Help Skills.

Can your Child…?

  • Put their coat on and try to fasten it
  • Use a knife, fork and spoon to eat and drink from a cup or a straw
  • Undress and dress themselves again, including turning their clothes the right way round
  • Put shoes on and off
  • Go to the toilet, wipe themselves and wash their hands independently
  • Be separated from you happily

Ready to Learn

Are They…?

  • Able to say their first and last names
  • Able to hold a pencil correctly to make marks and draw a simple picture
  • Able to recognise their name
  • Able to follow simple instructions, listen when an adult is speaking and respond appropriately
  • Confident to try new activities
  • Able to ask for help if needed
  • Able to understand that set boundaries are important
  • Willing to tidy up and help to look after their belongings
  • Able to share and take turns
  • Able to sit and listen to a story

Helping Your Child

Many of the following ideas are easy to fit into a busy day and can help your child develop their imagination, build their enthusiasm for learning and find out about new things.

Communication, Language and Literacy

  • Talk to your child and involve them in days out, events and family plans e.g. Going shopping, holidays
  • Read stories together and visit the library – can your child recall some of the main events?
  • Learn nursery rhymes and action songs. Make up parts by adding rhyming words – the sillier, the better!
  • Sound talk with your child e.g. Put on your h-a-t, Time for b-e-d Maths
  • Count everyday objects
  • Find numbers on car registrations, buses and houses
  • Play with real money
  • Pour water to fill and empty containers
  • Do some baking and weigh out the different ingredients

Is Your Child Ready for School?

Physical Development

  • Go to the park – encourage climbing & balancing and catch and throw balls, balloons, bean bags, socks
  • Let your child walk – practice the journey to school
  • Put the radio on and dance
  • Use tools e.g. scissors and cutlery
  • Let them help you peg up clothes
  • Play with playdough, Lego and jigsaws

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

  • Play simple board games and take turns
  • Play with others of a similar age, at friends’ houses or playgroup, the library or park
  • Talk about how you are feeling and how they are feeling

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

  • Talk about the world around you – what you can see, days, months, seasons etc
  • Use your senses
  • Collect things e.g. leaves, twigs
  • Go on different transport, e.g. tram, bus, train

Expressive Arts and Design

  • Enjoy messy play – bubbles, water, painting
  • Play in the garden – dig and make mud pies
  • Use a variety of things to make marks
  • Make a den and pretend to play

Some Top Tips!

  • Label everything
  • Buy clothes that fit and are easy to get on and off
  • Make sure their coat has a hook
  • Give your child time to do things by themselves e.g. peel a banana
  • Make sure your child has 10 – 12 hours of sleep each night.
  • If you have concerns about your child’s hearing or vision, speak to the Health Visitor or School Nurse, as this could affect their listening and learning at school.
  • If your child is due to start school and is not toilet trained, speak to your Health Visitor at least the term before your child starts school.
  • If your child is still using a dummy, and you need support to get them to stop, then speak to your Health Visitor before your child starts school.

Useful Numbers

Netherfield Primary School 0115 961 0580

St John the Baptist C of E Primary School, Colwick 0115 911 5599

For more information about childcare providers, schools and activities in Nottinghamshire visit http:// helpyourselfnotts.org.uk