Get School Ready

Families play an important role in supporting young children’s learning in early childhood and the early years of school. These resources provide ideas to engage in learning at home through every day experiences.

Preparation for school

Starting school is an exciting milestone for your child and family. Give your child a head start by practising the skills they will use in Kindergarten with them.

Preparing your child for school

Skills to practise:

• Recognising their own name and belongings

• Writing their name

• Putting on and take off own clothing including jumpers, jackets, shoes and socks

• Packing up own toys

• Blowing their nose

• Using the toilet/urinal without help

• Open and closing food containers

• Drinking from bubblers

• Putting belongings in a bag and zipping it up

How can you help your child settle into school?

The following suggestions may help you to support your child to settle comfortably and confidently into school:

• Talk to your child about school in a positive manner

• Show interest in what your child does at school

• Read to your child every day and let them see you reading

• Ask your child “What was something that went well at school today? What was challenging?”

• Display your child’s schoolwork in the home

• Let your child play with school friends after school and/or on weekends

• Encourage independence and self-reliance

• Ensure your child knows how to make a polite request

• Help your child to be a good listener

• See that your child gets an adequate amount of sleep during the school week

• Discuss social issues to help your child problem solve

Please remember that your child needs your support, encouragement and time to develop at their own rate.