In the Know

ELC - Preparing for School

Preparing for School

Lyn Pewtress, ELC Coordinator 

 

Many of the four-year-old children enrolled for School next year have already attended their orientation. These sessions are useful in enabling the teacher/s to get to know your child and to meet other children who will be starting School at the same time.

 

Our Magenta and Magnolia children have responded well to their transition and are excited, and perhaps also a little apprehensive, of the new adventures that lie ahead.    

 

There are a number of things we can do for the children to assist them with a smooth transition to School. I have listed below a few suggestions:

  • Additional visits to the School - for instance, attending a sport event or the School assembly may help your child become more prepared for the schedule at School. This is often a new experience for many children.
  • Playdates - arrange play dates with other children over the summer school holiday period. As with any child starting school, supportive relationships with other families and children can take time to develop but can also be worth the effort in the long-term.
  • Community activities -  find other opportunities to socialise in your local community, for example through attending playgroups or story-time at the library.
  • Talking with your child – positive discussions with your child about starting school are a great start. Monitor your child’s response to conversations about school - do they react enthusiastically or with confusion or anxiety?

 

  • Try to keep in mind that children may find it hard to think ahead in terms of weeks and months about future events. To help your child understand time concepts, using a calendar to count down the days until school starts can be helpful.
  • Sharing books is a wonderful way for children to become familiar with new routines, including school. Many children benefit from sharing a book that has been made especially for them on the topic of starting school.
  • Practise skills -
    • Help your child pack and unpack the backpack they will be using for school, ensuring that they can easily recognise their own backpack, perhaps by attaching something they will recognise to the bag.
    • Eating recess and lunch foods out of their lunchbox (use a lunchbox which is as easy as possible to open and close).
    • Using public toilets - explain that at School there are separate toilets for girls and boys.
    • Wearing school uniforms, including taking on and off their school shoes and sports shoes (shoes with Velcro rather than laces are easiest to fasten)
    • Travelling to and from school during the summer holidays prior to the start of the school year.
  • Getting ready -
    • The weeks before – Practise the school run and new routine and see how much time you will need.
    • The night before – Help them lay out their clothes and pack their bag. Stick to your regular evening routine but prepare to deal with any questions, worries and excitement. Make sure they get a good night's sleep.
    • The first day – Allow more time in the morning. Be positive and manage your own emotions. At the end of the day, don’t worry if your child is tired or doesn’t want to talk much. Do something nice after school to celebrate!

I would like to thank all our ELC families for their support and allowing us the privilege of working with your children.

 

To those families leaving Kilvington this year - we wish you all the best and hope you take with you many happy memories.

To all our extraordinary Magenta and Magnolia children who start School next year, we know you will thrive, and continue to wonder and be amazed, curious and inspired as you begin this new chapter of your life!