EDUCATION
Preparing for school By Emma Lewry No sooner has summer arrived than we are starting to talk about ‘starting school’ or ‘back to school’ preparation. Uniforms line the shop rails, tempting us to think about being organised and ready for school. If you’re ready to think ahead, here are some top tips for preparation. If your child is starting school this year it can feel like a huge event with lots of pressure and often comparison between parents about how ready their children are. Try not to compare; each child is unique and individual in their strengths and in the areas with which they need support. Teachers are ready for this, and they know how to support lots of different children in a class. In fact, the uniqueness of each child is often what they love best about the job! When you start to think about preparing your child to begin school there are some key skills which are beneficial to practise and develop. I’m not talking about academic things; your child doesn’t need to be able to read the alphabet or do the two times table. The three skills I recommend are building CONFIDENCE, COMMUNICATION and INDEPENDENCE. You can do these through play and fun at home, giving lots of opportunities for your little ones to try new things and offering plenty of praise and encouragement. Talking to your child and reading books about school opens up lots of valuable communication too. If your child is heading back to school and moving up a year group, many of the starting school ideas apply. At all ages, schools want children to be working on developing confidence, communication and independence. It can be helpful to offer emotional support in the lead up to back to school, especially if your child is moving to a new school. Talk about what will be different but also what will stay the same. These constants support many children’s need for things to feel safe and familiar. What if your child isn’t keen on talking? Looking at pictures, reading stories and role-playing school are all great ways to initiate conversation over the summer.
Independence Building independence is important for children of all ages. Children who are independently motivated to play, complete tasks and try new things will often excel at school across the age ranges. Here are two ideas to try before school starts: Give your child ownership over one meal that they can plan and prepare for the family, with appropriate support for their age. It could be a simple breakfast that they get to choose and make or a more complex dinner. Any activity like this means they are getting a feel for completing a task, and the pride they feel will boost their desire to try other independent tasks. Don’t rush in to help them when they are struggling. Sit on your hands, count to fifty or do something to distract yourself while giving them the opportunity to struggle a little with a task. This goes for anything - from simply playing alone to working out a new craft. Children who are more exposed to the need to persevere are more likely to have the ability to be independent. Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, headteacher and mother of two. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk) which guides families through starting school with courses, groups and a school starters planner.
Small School Small School ceh S m cfiothsool o l all School Bm ig aa BlllelSnS SBm Benefits Meadowbrook delivers B igoathBelB ecenacnn e’th…feiotfsoitlsBMiegiag whm aitg rsS S l B B dowe brn ooe k fdites livers Meadowbrook delivers M e a d o w b r o o k d e l i v e r s M k’t… dbetter…teaching elivers wh&atlearning othetailored rs canto’t… w heiaa td ootB hw eknow rbe sro cn aone …staff who pupils B g f i t s what others can’t… individual needs…greater social confidence…a w hat ot&hnot erwhole s caclass n’t…
M eadwho owbknow rosense okpupils dof elicommunity…pupils vbetter…teaching ersknow pupils Staff who …staff &better learning tailored to &better…teachin …staff who know pupils more inclusive who genuinely value …staff whoneeds know pupils better…teaching & lear windividual h a t o t h e r s c a n ’ t … Classes tailored to individual & not whole class socialrelationships confidence…a enjoy learning...parents whoneeds…greater benefit from closer with
Uniform top tips
individual not whole class needs…gre …staff who know pupils better…teaching &with learning tailored to & not whole class needs…greater soc Parents who sense benefiof t from closer individual relationships thevalue school more inclusive community…pupils who genuinely & the school… more inclusive sense of community…pu more inclusive sense of community…pupils who individual & not whole class needs…greater social confidence…a …staff who know pupils better…teaching & learning tailored to enjoy learning...parents who benefit from closer relationships with enjoy learning...parents who benefit from&close individual & not whole class needs…greater social confidence…a enjoy learning...parents who benefit fr more inclusive sense of community…pupils who genuinely value the school… the school… more sense of community…pupils who genuinely & the school… enjoyinclusive learning...parents who benefit from closer value relationships with enjoy learning...parents who benefit from closer relationships with the school… the school…
Be careful to check the school uniform list and stick to the items and colours listed. Schools are generally strict about their uniform and as it’s expensive, it’s not worth having to re-buy items if they are wrong. Make a shoe fitting appointment now for the week before school starts. If it’s possible to book in with a shop local to you, this is a great idea and will ensure you don’t get left in a shoe panic two days before the start of term! You might feel happy to buy trainers in advance but buying school shoes is best left as late as possible to avoid an expensive trip at half term if your child’s feet suddenly grow. Check out the school website and social media pages if they have them. This is a great way for you and your child to get tips on sourcing uniform, to check specific uniform requirements and to find out about ways of obtaining uniform more cheaply. Many schools or their PTA (parent and teacher associations) will run second hand uniform sales which can be a great way to pick up some bargain items. It’s also good for the planet to reuse and re-love as much clothing as possible.
Familiesonline.co.uk
Through a combination of Montessori inspired practice, the Through a combination of Montessori inspired practice, the National Curriculum, Growth Mindset & Positive Discipline, National Curriculum, Growth Mindset & Positive Discipline, Through a combination of Montessori inspired practice, the to Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach to Through a combination of Montessori inspired National Curriculum, Growth Mindset & Positive Discipline, child-centred education without compromising on standards. child-centred education without compromising on standards. National Curriculum, Growth Mindset & Positiv Meadowbrook offers afor unique, highlyschool personalised approach Excellent preparation secondary & beyond in a firmtobut Excellent preparation of forMontessori secondary school & beyond a firmofhighly Meadowbrook offersthe ainunique, personal Through a combination inspired practice, Through a combination Montessori child-centred education without compromising on standards. fair, loving & stress-free environment. but fair, Curriculum, loving & stress-free environment. child-centred education without compromising National Growth Mindset & Positive Discipline, Excellent preparation secondary school & inspired beyond in practice, a firm Growth but the Mindset National Curriculum, To book your visit call for us on 01344 890869 Through a combination of Montessori Excellent preparation for to secondary school & b Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach fair, loving & stress-free environment. or email admin@meadowbrook.uk Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly National Curriculum, Growth Mindset &&on Positive Discipline, fair, loving stress-free environment. child-centred education standards. To book your us01344 oncompromising 01344 890869 To book visit callcall uswithout on 890869 Find out your more atvisit www.meadowbrook.uk child-centred education without To book your visit call us on 01344 890869 Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach to comp Excellent preparation for secondary school & beyond in a firm but or emailadmin@meadowbrook.uk admin@meadowbrook.uk or email or email admin@meadowbrook.uk Find out more at www.meadowbrook.uk Excellent preparation for secondary sc fair, & stress-free environment. child-centred without compromising on standards. Findloving out more ateducation www.meadowbrook.uk Find more & at stress-free www.meadowbrook.uk To book your visit call us on 01344 890869 fair,out loving environment.
Excellent preparation for secondary school & beyond in a firm but
or email admin@meadowbrook.uk To book your new visit call us on 01344 890 fair, loving & stress-free environment. Now accepting applications for our Early Find out more at www.meadowbrook.uk
email Years Class for01344 3 or &4 yearadmin@meadowbrook.uk olds To book your visit call us on 890869 Find out more at www.meadowbrook. or email admin@meadowbrook.uk Families Thames Valley West 5 Find out more at www.meadowbrook.uk
