(please read alongside our School Ready Policy)
What is school readiness:
School Readiness is not about starting a formal approach to learning as early as possible.
Your child learns and develops mainly through play.
It cannot be stressed enough how valuable play opportunities are for your child, allowing him/her to explore the world around them and make connections in their thinking which leads to deep level learning.
All the positive experiences that babies and young children can receive contribute towards them being ‘ready for school’.
Supporting your child to become independent, communicative, feeding and dressing themselves, using the toilet and knowing and understanding their own needs is great preparation for later when these skills will be invaluable.
What does being”school ready” mean?
- having strong social skills
- can cope emotionally with being separated from their parents
- are relatively independent in their own personal care
- have a curiosity about the world and a desire to learn.
**Your child is unique and will develop at their own****pace and rate****
YOU are your child’s most important and on-going educator—support and encourage them with …
- chatting about likes, dislikes, feelings and emotions —use pictures and stories
- dressing and feeding themselves, and using the toilet
- making healthy nutritious food and drink choices, especially water
- being active every day—run, jump, dance, hop and skip
- exploring the outdoors—look at nature together
- asking questions, encourage talking— wait for the answers!
- being able to follow simple instructions
- showing interest in their fascination and curiosity to learn— what does interest them?
- being creative and exploring messy play—paint, playdough etc.
- turn-taking, helping and sharing together at home
- praise and encourage effort_ celebrate abilities and strengths
- developing a love of books, stories and songs
Websites and links:
The start of a new school term is always exciting – but when it’s the transition into “big school” – your child’s very first school term, it can feel a little daunting.
Paceys (Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years) guide to preparing your child for school:
https://www.pacey.org.uk/Pacey/media/Website-files/school%20ready/PACEY_preparingforschool_guide.pdf
What parents can do to prepare their children for school
Please check out these other links from Pacey on practical ideas on how to prepare your child for school:
Make a Markhttps://www.pacey.org.uk/Pacey/media/Website-files/school%20ready/Make-a-mark,-make-a-start.pdf
Happy Talkhttps://www.pacey.org.uk/Pacey/media/Website-files/school%20ready/Happy-Talk.pdf
Listen and learnhttps://www.pacey.org.uk/Pacey/media/Website-files/school%20ready/Listen-and-Learn.pdf
Number Games: https://www.pacey.org.uk/Pacey/media/Website-files/school%20ready/The-Numbers-Game.pdf
APP:
Born to move is an NHS app to help parents and carers with their newborn babies right up to pre-school. It’s packed with advice, tips and games that you can play with your child supporting their early development. Encouraging active play and interaction everyday helps the learning and wiring of your baby’s brain at this critical stage.