Early Childhood News
Building strong links between Home and School in the Early Years
Children benefit when their routines and experiences at home and school and are similar and supportive of each other.
How can I help to support consistency in my child’s education?
- Think of the types of experiences and routines your child is likely to experience at school.
- Think how the routines might differ from what happens at home and how you can help your child to understand the routines at school. E.g. Practise and/or talk to your child about opening their lunchbox or snacks.
- Tell your child’s teacher about any particular words, phrases or visual cues that you use at home with your child for routines e.g. certain words you may use for toileting or certain big emotions.
What types of routines and experiences should be consistent?
+ Behaviour
Having consistent behaviour guidance strategies establishes clear expectations and helps children to understand limits. It’s important that appropriate behaviour is role modelled by both your family and school staff to ensure your child receives consistent messages about what is acceptable behaviour.
+ Sleep and rest
Children need plenty of sleep before attending school. Teachers understand that the odd late night might occur due to an emergency or family event. Children who are tired often have issues with emotional regulation and this affects their friendships and learning at school.
+ Sun safety
Ensuring that the ‘slip slop slap’ message is emphasised at home and sunscreen is applied at least 20 minutes before your child attends school is extremely important to protect your child’s skin from sun damage. The children will be asked to re-apply sunscreen throughout the day.
+ Hygiene
Reinforce hygiene routines e.g. the correct way to wash your hands, covering coughs and practise having children blow their own nose with a tissue.
+ Medical
Keep your child’s teacher up to date with medical concerns/how they are feeling. If you have given them medication that morning (Panadol/Antihistamines) let the teacher know so that they are aware that your child might not be feeling 100%. If they have a longer term medical issue, be sure to get a medical plan filled out by your GP and document the medical issue with the front office.
More information is available here: https://www.startingblocks.gov.au/other-resources/factsheets/building-strong-links-between-home-and-education-and-care-services
