Amazingly the big day is almost here. My oldest son Jacob, all of four and three-quarter years of age, is starting big school next week.
To me it is simply unbelievable that it has come around so quickly. In fact the momentous and somewhat traumatic occasion of his birth still seems like only yesterday….
Nevertheless, he is very excited about everything, from going to the shoe shop to get ‘school shoes’ and constantly reminding me that he still needs some grey socks, and working up to a fever pitch of excitement when he talks about all his little friends who are in his class and his new teacher – Mrs Ding Dong Bells (she is actually called Mrs Burles but somewhere between his taster session and the summer holidays her name has changed..)
Anyway, here are some helpful hints and suggestions I came across. They come from experienced reception class teachers and are to help the little ones settle in to school life and calm anxious parents:
“ Many parents like a list of suggestions to help their child starting full-time school, for the first time. None are vital, and because every child is different, some children will find them easy, whilst others will not be ready to do them just yet. Even if your child can only do some of these things, it is a big help:
* blow nose efficiently and be used to having a hanky in pocket.
* get undressed for PE (send your child in easy clothes for PE days)and then dressed again afterwards (practise with those buttons and zips!)
* have a go at putting on shoes and fastening Velcro / doing up laces
* put on and take off outdoor clothes, and then hang them up on the peg
* use a knife and fork reasonably well in the correct hands
* go to toilet unaided, and know how to use it properly (but accidents do happen, so don't worry; and again practise undoing those buttons and zips)
* wash own hands and dry them unaided
* tidy away toys or equipment that he or she has been using
* sit still and listen at least for a short time - e.g. for a story
* follow an adult's simple instructions "
