Starting School

First Day of School

What do you remember about your first day of school or have you been told by family members?

Consider each of the following

• environment: indoors and outdoors, playground and classroom 

• -  people, including teachers and other children 

• -  feelings they had 

• -  reaction of their parents and family 

Do you think there is a difference for children starting today? Explain

develop appropriate questions to ask a child about their first day and other school experiences 

• home routines versus school routines and their  impact on young children. 

• diversity in community attitudes to schooling. 

• the range of children’s skills and experiences before starting school 

Watch the first 14mins of the above video as an example of starting school for the first time.

How are Auggie's fears similar to those of children starting Kindergarten?

Complete the  table of the fears and/or concerns that students may have coming to school.  

Play in learning

Key Learning areas in the Australian Curriculum are:

English

Mathematics

Science

Humanities and Social Sciences

The Arts

Technologies

Health and Physical Education

Languages

Each pair will be allocated 1-2 areas of learning. Using the website below, summarise the types of things that students learn in kindergarten. Share your information with the rest of the class.

Incorporating play

Using the websites below or your own research find one activity for each Key learning area in the curriculum

What is the age range for children to start school in NSW?

Children can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5, on or before 31 July that year. By law, all children must be in compulsory schooling by their 6th birthday.

When your child starts school is an individual decision. You may wish to discuss this with your child's preschool teacher, carer, doctor or your local primary school. Our teachers are trained to work with your child regardless of their age or level of development.

Children develop at different rates and learn skills in different ways. Your school will respond to the needs, learning styles and rates of progress of individual students. Schools also plan learning experiences based on the skills students bring with them to school.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/going-to-a-public-school/primary-schools/starting-school#:~:text=Children%20can%20start%20Kindergarten%20at,school%20is%20an%20individual%20decision.

Watch the following clip and read the articles. Answer the questions below

1. What are some of the reasons parents may choose to send their children later in their development?

2. What is the impact  at school of a child repeating a year in school as opposed to staying home for another year?

3. Why are there different starting ages in each state in Australia?

4. What are some of the generalised differences between boys and girls readiness to start kindergarten?

5. How can a family's socioeconomic status impact their choices?

6. What are some of the long term effects for the children as they get older?