You want your child to have a successful start to school. After all, it’s a huge milestone for them – and for you!
Some children have had years of experience at nursery or pre-school, while for others, it’s the first time they’ve been in the structured educational setting of a school.
It can also be a hard change for you as a parent or carer. Your child is growing up and moving away from being completely reliant on your care. You may feel anxious about whether they’re ready for school, or wish you could keep them at home for a bit longer.
So, how can you help your child have a successful start to school?
Involve your child with preparations for school. They will enjoy getting to choose classroom essentials like a new water bottle and bag. It creates excitement about starting. They can help you arrange their new uniform in their drawer and decide where their school equipment should be kept.
Read any information you get from school with your child. The school is likely to share the name of their new teacher, details about the daily routine, and where the classroom is. Many schools send out detailed welcome packs, including photos of key staff, and maps your child can use to find out where everything is.
If possible, visit the school beforehand to get familiar with it. If you aren’t able to go inside, simply practising the journey to and from the school gates will help it feel more familiar.
There are many books and TV shows about starting school. Check out the CBeebies website for a whole range of resources you can use to prepare your child for a good start to school. Use them as a starting point for conversations so you can better understand how your child is feeling about the change ahead.
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