PREPARING FOR SCHOOL
Together, parents and teachers can provide the support and encouragement needed to make your child’s introduction to school a positive and enjoyable experience.
Encourage your child to do as many of the following as possible:
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To take off and put on outer clothing and where possible to manage their own shoes. This includes being able to tie their own shoelaces.
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To carry a handkerchief or small packet of tissues and know how to use them.
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To put away toys and materials after using them.
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To recognise their own name on possessions, such as clothing or lunch boxes.
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To be able to use a lunch box and know the order in which to eat their food. At school Prep children will be allowed time to eat their lunch inside. All lunch boxes and drink bottles must be named. Children are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school and to drink water.
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To encourage your child to play with other children.
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To know how to use a school crossing and use the crossings to safely enter the school each day.
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To practise packing and unpacking their school bag. This also includes ensuring your child has emergency underwear labelled in a plastic bag. It is important to show your child where the emergency underwear is located in their bag.
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TIPS FOR STARTING SCHOOL
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Show an interest in your child’s day when they are ready to talk about it. It is important to remember that most Prep children are very tired after school and need time to relax, especially at the beginning of the year. Encourage them to display any work that they bring home in a special place.
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Understand that through play a child builds up his/her confidence and establishes sound social relationships with other children.
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If your child has a problem please come to school to discuss it with us so that together we can eliminate any fears that may worry your child.
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If your child is required to bring any money to school please ensure that it is sent in a named sealed envelope.
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A good night’s sleep is extremely important, therefore try to ensure that your child has a regular bedtime.
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Please notify the school if your child is taking any medication and complete the medication form if medication is to be administered at school. All medication that is brought to school must be handed in at the office where it is kept in a secure place.
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Much of the work that your child will do in the first few months of school may be seen by parents as play. However, at this time the child is being gently introduced to school routines and environment through a blend of structured and more open ended activities.
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Children develop at different rates and parents need to be aware of comparing their child’s progress with that of older brothers or sisters or with other children of the same age. A child’s progress and behavior may be discussed with the class teacher or Assistant Principal, or Student Welfare Leader by arranging an interview time. Parents may organize an interview with the class teacher at any time to discuss any aspect of progress or learning development.
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Learning to read and write is an exciting time for both parents and children. Try to set aside a regular time to read with and to your child. Choose a wide variety of texts and allow the child to talk freely about what they see and how they interpret pictures from all sources.