11 minute read
Education
Preparing for school
By Emma Lewry
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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.
Uniform top tips
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. 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
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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 Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach to Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach to Through a combination of Montessori inspired practice, the National Curriculum, Growth Mindset & Positive Disciplinechild-centred education without compromising on standards. child-centred education without compromising on standards. National Curriculum, Growth Mindset & Positive Discipline, Through a combination of Montessori inspired practice, the National Curriculum, Growth Mindset & Positive Discipline, Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach to Through a combination of Montessori National Curriculum, Growth Mindset & Positive Discipline Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach to child-centred education without compromising on standards. Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach to child-centred education without compromising on standards. Excellent preparation for secondary school & beyond fair, loving & stress-free environment. To book your visit call us on 01344 890869 Through a combination of Montessori inspired practice, the National Curriculum, Growth Mindset & Positive Discipline, Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach to child-centred education without compromising on standards. Excellent preparation for secondary school & beyond in a firm but Excellent preparation for secondary school & beyond in a fi rm but fair, loving & stress-free environment. Excellent preparation for secondary school & beyond in a firm but fair, loving & stress-free environment. To book your visit call us on 01344 890869 or email admin@meadowbrook.uk Find out more at www.meadowbrook.uk Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach to child-centred education without compromising on standards. Excellent preparation for secondary school & beyond in a firm but fair, loving & stress-free environment. To book your visit call us on 01344 890869 or email admin@meadowbrook.uk To book your visit call us on 01344 890869 or email admin@meadowbrook.uk child-centred education without compromising on standards. Excellent preparation for secondary schoolor email admin@meadowbrook.ukfair, loving & stress-free environment.Find out more at www.meadowbrook.uk Find out more at www.meadowbrook.uk Excellent preparation for secondary school & beyond in a firm but fair, loving & stress-free environment.Find out more at www.meadowbrook.ukTo book your visit call us on 01344 890869 fair, loving & stress-free environment.To book your visit call us on 01344 890869or email admin@meadowbrook.uk Find out more at www.meadowbrook.uk Now accepting applications for our new Early To book your visit call us on 01344 890869 or email admin@meadowbrook.ukYears Class for 3 & 4 year olds or email admin@meadowbrook.ukFind out more at www.meadowbrook.uk Families Thames Valley WestFind out more at www.meadowbrook.uk 5
What are the benefits of PreReception?
Sharon Boccaccini, College Deputy Head (Prep) at St Joseph’s College, Reading gives a brief overview of the benefits.
What is Pre-Reception? Pre-Reception is nursery provision in a school setting, and a child can join from the academic year they turn four.
Small classes, big steps. Pre-Reception provides your child with a more tailored approach to preparing them for the transition into Reception. Children are taught by a qualified teacher, and they tend to have a high staff to pupil ratio which enables your child to receive high quality, individual support (at St Joseph’s, the ratio is one adult to four children).
By being in a school setting this makes the transition into Reception easier as children are already familiar with the school routine and environment. At St Joseph’s we aim to give them a head start with their learning too and they may well be writing their name and starting to read.
Specialist staff gently set good foundations in subjects such as music, PE and French – which often sees our pupils asking to play the saxophone or join a sports team before you know it!
St Joseph’s College Reading is now accepting pupils into Pre-Reception. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact their admissions team on admissions@sjcr.org.uk 0118 966 1000
YOUR PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE
Day and boarding school offering a highly personalised education, preparing students aged 14 to 19 for entry to leading universities.
• Personalised tuition and study plans • Make lifelong friendships with students from around the world • Range of pathways to higher education • Family feel, offering a supportive environment for students It’s always a pleasure to receive feedback from readers. These were some comments received following the May/June 2022 issue.
“I wanted to draw your attention to the article ‘Why am I an angry mum?’ in Families May/June 2022. Every tip in the article can apply equally well to a father, parent (any gender) or any other carer. There is nothing unique to mums.” T, via e-mail
Editor’s response: Our readership survey in 2019 indicated that 99% of the readers of Families magazines throughout the country were mums, so articles in the magazine do tend to be aimed at mums as opposed to other carers; however the point about diversity is very valid. There are many people that care for children and face the same situations as mothers. Thank you for your feedback!
“I have cut the riverside walk page out and stuck it on the fridge!” Families reader
Editor’s response: Great! It’s fantastic that families are getting out on local walks. We are always looking out for interesting new places to discover.
New Purpose-built Nursery Coming Soon to Newbury Prep School
One of the UK’s most distinguished preparatory schools, Horris Hill, is gearing up to welcome pre-school aged children for the first time ever into a purpose-built nursery facility offering wrap-around care from the start of the next academic year.
Construction is already underway on the 65-acre countryside site, and contractors are working hard to deliver the brand-new building which will become home to a new cohort of boys and girls, aged two years and above.
The design and layout of the new nursery have been meticulously planned so the youngsters will thrive in a safe, stimulating, and spacious environment. Every last detail, from the vibrant colour scheme to the use of natural light and the partitioning of rooms to provide quiet relaxation areas, has been carefully considered.
Mrs. Uwalaka, Head of Horris Hill’s Lower School, will manage the nursery, and is excited about it opening its doors in September for the very first time.
She said: ”Nurturing youngsters from a very young age in an early childhood education setting brings immense benefits. Not only does it help them develop daily routines and good habits, but it also lays the foundations for a lifelong love of learning.”
