Education
Ready, set…
Prep!
6 ways to prepare for Prep
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by Mrs Susan Finney – Early Childhood Teacher, Clayfield College
hildren need to be socially, emotionally and physically ready for a Prep programme and as a parent, you play a vital role in your child’s education and there are many things you can do to help prepare your child for Prep. A recent study by Margetts (2011), suggests that parents should consider two perspectives: how parents can prepare their child for school and; what Prep children want to know when starting school.
How you can help You can help your child prepare for Prep by: • • • • • •
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improving their independence having a daily routine packing a healthy lunch knowing your school getting involved with your school doing family activities at home
Improving their independence Parents can help make the transition to Prep smoother by preparing their children to be as independent as possible. This includes helping them practice: • • • • • •
packing and carrying their school bag dressing and undressing themselves in their school uniform (important for Preps who swim in Term 1) eating and drinking without help going to the toilet on their own using tissues to blow their nose recognising their belongings
Having a daily routine Daily routines also help children understand what they need to do, when to do it each day and why it’s important. To help prepare your child for Prep, get them into a routine, which includes:
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• going to bed early, regularly • waking up at a certain time—leave plenty of time to get ready • having a healthy breakfast—needed for energy and concentration • preparing and eating lunch • making time for physical activities. Before your child starts Prep, make sure you talk to them about what to expect. Remember to be flexible, as it may take them some time to understand their new routine and adjust socially. It's also important for parents to teach their children to communicate well so they can make their needs known, respond when spoken to and use appropriate greetings.
Packing a healthy lunch When packing your child’s lunch: