Starting school can be an anxious time - especially for parents. You need to prepare yourself and your children for the experience.
Before they start:
Social skills In the run-up to school, and well before then if possible, give children a head start by encouraging them to develop good social skills - these skills are the key to making and keeping friends at school.
give them lots of opportunities to mix with other children (attending mother and toddler groups, playgroups, soft play etc.)
encourage your children to share and take turns.
give them firm boundaries for acceptable behaviour. They have to learn that No really means No!
encourage them to tidy away toys at the end of an activity.
Practical skills Before they go to school, children should be:
confident going to the toilet by themselves.
able to wash and dry their own hands.
able to attempt dressing completely themselves, and able to put on and do up their own coat.
Preparing for school Prepare children for their new school life:
get them used to spending short periods of time without you. Get a family member or friend to look after them whilst you enjoy some quality me time!
talk to them about going to school. Walk or drive past the school as often as possible.
find out the name of your child's class teacher so the child can recognise the name.
take up any invitations to visit the school. Most schools will arrange a time for you and your child to visit and spend time in the classroom before they start school.
On the day:
trust the staff! If your child is being clingy, take your lead from the staff about when to leave, however difficult - and leave with a smile!
be on time to collect your child - there is nothing more upsetting for a young child than being left waiting when everyone else has gone home.
