Aug 24

Aug 24 Big School, Little Steps

alphabet, books, craft, creativity, emotions, family, Fine motor skills, Play at home, pre-schoolers, reading, scissor

Is your little one starting big school next year?…

Is everyone starting to ask, “Is your little one starting school next year? Do you think they are ready? How exciting!”

How are YOU feeling about this big milestone?

It can feel like there is a lot to prepare when your little one is getting ready to start school. Enrolment forms, uniforms to organise, skills to practise and, of course, all the feelings (for you and your little one) of your little one growing up and preparing them for such a big change.

As a parent with one child currently in Grade 2 and my youngest starting school next year, I thought I’d share a few thoughts and little ideas that have helped us along the way. I’m certainly no expert - just a parent figuring it out as I go, and hoping some of these ideas might be useful for you and your little one too.

Start the conversation through books:

We have read lot’s of books about starting school, it’s the perfect gentle way to share and engage with your child about what school may be like and is a nice way to check in on how they might be feeling about starting school.

Here’s some suggested titles to find at your local library:

“A wild guide to starting school” by Laura and Philip Bunting
“First Day” by Andrew Daddo & illustrated by Jonathan Bentley
“The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn and illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak

Some of the ideas in these books may lead to some imaginative play or conversations with your little one, let them take the lead and follow along for the adventure.

It can be helpful to make a friend and set up a playdate. Perhaps ask around at drop-off or pick-up to see if there is a friend from kinder or daycare who is going to the same school. Your school may have some transition days coming up, which can be a good time to chat with other parents and see if they would like to arrange a playdate, so the little ones can connect and have a familiar face on their first day.

When you and your little one are ready, you might like to try these playful ideas:

A trip to the school for a lunchbox picnic and a play on the playground on the weekend can be a nice way to practise opening and closing their lunchbox, as well as getting familiar with where they might play at recess and lunchtime.
You can play schools with toys at home. A simple setup with a clipboard, blackboard and some books can make good props. Let your little one be the teacher while you model listening, sitting still and putting your hand up to ask to go to the bathroom.

You might like to watch Play School: Ready, Set Big School, as Morris settles into Gumtree Primary School.

Of course there are lot’s of play ideas on little bluebirds, keep it simple with playdough sculptures, a great way to strengthen hand muscles and fine motor skills ready for writing. Learning to use scissors is an important skill to work on and making a farm yard school is a fun way to craft together, try the templates in Crafty animal antics.

If you and your little one start to feel anxious Helping your child with emotions has some helpful ideas.

Tips for parents:

I remember the first few months feeling like there was a lot of extra communication. It was almost another job keeping up with all the notes and messages from school! But it does get easier to manage. Once you’ve been through a year at the school, you start to get into the rhythm of when special events like Book Week, swimming lessons and special days happen, and you can prepare a little more easily.
Meeting other parents can feel awkward, but remember that you’re starting a new adventure too. Other parents are new to the school, just like the kids, so be a little bit brave and say hello at drop-off or pick-up to someone you haven’t met. In those first few weeks, meeting some other parents from your child’s class can make a big difference. Your go-to question can be as simple as asking, with a smile, “Who is your child?”
I am so thankful for another parent telling me to bring a snack to pick up and not to expect a full download from the days activities, just hand over the snack and be thankful if you get a hug (or a grunt), they will share when they are ready. It’s a long day to follow the school rules so time to unwind at the end of the day can help them share about their day later.