Starting school means many new changes for your child. They will need to learn their way around a much bigger space than nursey and they will need to get to know new teachers and new friends. They will also need to adjust to a new school routine and learn how to be more independent.
All of these changes can come as quite a shock for some children; however, there are many ways that parents can help to prepare their children for the transition from nursery to school.
To help you get started, here are some helpful tips from Taunton School
Get familiar
It is important to get to know your child’s new school as early as possible, in order to help them settle in quicker. Take your child along to open days and events at the school to help them learn their way around. It is also a good idea to arrange a visit on a normal school day, so that your child can get an idea of what to expect from daily school life. You can also find useful information on the school website, such as uniform requirements or term dates.
Show support
Your child is bound to feel nervous about starting their new school. Show your support by letting them know that what they are feeling is normal and relate it to a time when you felt the same. This could be when you started school or a new job. Then move on to another good memory from that day to reinforce a positive outlook. Talk to your child about some of the positive changes they can expect from school, such as bigger playgrounds or choosing books from the school library.
Encourage independence
Finally, one of the most useful things you can do to prepare your child for school is to make sure they are comfortable doing simple tasks by themselves. This includes: dressing and undressing, putting on and taking off shoes, as well as going to the toilet and washing their hands.
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