There has been a lot in the press recently regarding fewer children being ‘school ready’. More children are starting school without being toilet trained and are finding the school environment difficult to cope with. Below, Barnardo’s charity offers their advice.
Being ready for school does not mean your child needs to be able to read or write their own name. Although it’s great if they can!
There are some practical skills that will make life easier for your child when starting school:
• Putting on their coat
• Using the toilet on their own
• Sitting at a table to eat
Your child will learn to read and write in school. Their teacher will help them to progress at their own level. Have fun with your child in the preschool months and years by:
• Sharing stories
• Playing games together
• Singing songs
• Talking together
Getting your child used to being away from you
This is less likely to be an issue if your child already attends a childcare setting, but starting school is a big step. Don’t worry if your child is tearful and clingy for the first few days – it’s quite normal. Although you might feel terrible leaving them, they will most likely be playing quite happily within a few minutes.
If they haven’t spent time away from you, try looking for chances to leave your child with other people such as friends, family or play dates. Your child needs to learn that when you leave them you will come back. This way they can relax, have fun, and continue learning when you are away.
Helping your child share their needs, feelings and emotions
Your child is learning and developing fast. You can help them have the right words and phrases and the confidence to ask for help. The teachers will support your child in the classroom.
Help your child to ask for help if needed. For example: “What would you say to your teacher if you needed help with going to the toilet/putting on your shoes?”
Remember to encourage the use of “please” and “thank you”.
Self-care
Using school toilets can be a big challenge for little people. Ensuring your child can use the toilet will help them. They need to wipe themselves clean and wash their hands afterwards.
Children learn this skill at different times. If the time comes to start school and they still need some support, talk to the classroom teacher. Help your child to use the words they will need to ask for help. Sitting on the toilet and shouting “finished” isn’t going to work!
Little accidents are common for children in a new, exciting environment. Pack a spare set of underwear and make sure they know where it is. Do not pack new underwear that your child has never seen before. They may deny that the pants belong to them and refuse to put them on!
Washing hands
Teach your child to wash their hands and chat about the importance of good hand washing with soap and water.
There are other things that will make life easier for children once they start school such as being able to dress and feed themselves and sitting still and concentrating for a short amount of time.
If your child is starting school in September the full article is worth reading and is available at https://families.barnardos.org.uk/
