Source: https://www.shamimasworkshop.com/is-your-child-ready-for-school
There are many different ways parents can support their child’s transition to school. Your family plays an important role in your child’s education.
Before school starts:
– Consider Kindy the year before starting school, promoting learning in a play-based environment to develop skills and knowledge for school readiness
Skills to consider when transitioning to school:
– Confidence
– Independence
– Knowing their daily routine
– Packing a healthy lunch
– Knowing the school and environment and getting involved. This includes driving past the school or walking through, what equipment do they need in their bag (e.g. hat, books)
Building confidence:
Help their confidence grow:
– Knowing how to find answers to their questions/concerns. Consider practicing together or modelling to your child
– Talk through “what will I do if…” scenarios (e.g. what will I do if I forget my water bottle? Or if I have a wee accident?)
– Does the teacher have any ideas to practice at home?
– Before the first day, ideally your child should know their way around the school environment and how to find their classroom (e.g. where to put their belongings, where to have lunch breaks, location of toilets etc.)
– Where do they meet you after school?
– Can they meet their teacher or make a friend before school starts?
Growing independence:
– Although it takes more time, encouraging practice and participation in daily tasks as much as possible will help them in their unfamiliar environment
– Independence in their self care skills (e.g. putting on shoes, toileting, blowing their nose)
– Eating and drinking (e.g. opening packets/lunchbox, using a drink bottle, refilling their drink bottle)
– Ensuring they can recognise their belongings (e.g. name tag, coloured ribbon on school bag)
– Can they carry their school bag and pack it with minimal assistance (e.g. you could have all their items ready on the table and then they put them in their bag)
– Encouraging them to go looking for what their body is telling them, be detectives together (e.g. how do I know when I’m hungry, or need the toilet?)
– Recognising emotions together (e.g. what does it mean if my muscles are tight and my teeth are clenched – might be angry)
– Practicing following instructions together (e.g. singing songs)
– Practicing team work and what it means to play well with other children
– Teaching boys how to use a urinal
Daily routine:
– Predictability around their daily schedule (e.g. food, nap, exercise and structure of the day)
– Going to bed early so they are rested and ready for the day
– Waking with plenty of time to get ready so that they can participate
– Having a healthy breakfast to kick start the day
– Preparing their lunch – consider getting them involved. Realistic quantities and a variety of smaller items so that it seems more achievable
– Provide a water bottle and encourage drinking (e.g. with every meal/snack have a drink)
For some children, following instructions or participating in self cares or other responsibilities can be incredibly challenging. If you have any concerns in regards to your little one’s readiness for school, your therapist can support you and help you problem solve along the way. The therapists at Kids that Go may just be the answer you are looking for. Please reach out and contact us on 07 3087 1904.
NICOLE NIJSKENS
Occupational Therapist.
Source: https://www.buildingbrains.ca/blog/back-to-school-readiness
