into Step
Prep
Preparing for Prep
Beginning school is a very exciting time for your child. The first three years of school lay the foundations for future learning. We are pleased to be on this journey with you.
There are a number of things you can do in the lead up to school to support your child’s transition.
• Practising getting dressed and undressed in new uniform items.
Children feel more confident if they can independently manage button holes, and put on and take off a jumper and shoes. Velcro shoes are recommended.
• Visiting the school over the holidays for a play or driving past helps to create a connection with their new school.
• Have some picnics so that your child can ‘wear in’ their new lunch box zipper and get used to packing and unpacking items.
Supporting Prep transition from home
Laying a school uniform out the night before school will help your child know which days are school days and what activities are happening.
Labelling all items that come to school –lunch boxes, snack containers (lids and bottoms), drink bottles, clothing, hats, shoes.
Show your child where the labels are located and what they look like so that they know what to look for.
Sitting up at a table or bench to complete games, activities and snacks encourages your child to remain seated for extended periods of time and to complete tasks. This helps with classroom focus.
Independent Preppies
Encouraging independence from the very beginning is key.
Arriving to school with plenty of time before the school bell will give your child time to undertake their morning organisational routine. It also provides time to interact with other children which can help to establish playtime friendships for the day.
We encourage children to carry their own bag and unpack their items for the day. Your child will be more aware of what they have bought with them if they have responsibility.
Our Preppies day
The teacher will have ‘start of day’ routines, such as roll call and a shared book, which helps to settle the class. Please say a quick goodbye and depart before the bell so that your child can settle quickly and join this routine.
In class, students will interact as a whole class, in small groups, with a partner and complete tasks independently.
Time is allocated to a communal lunch with the class before play time. Many Preps take longer to eat lunch than older children. Cutting food into bite sizes and breaking seals on snack food lids can help.
For our specialist subjects: Art, PE, Music, Performance Art, Library, LOTE and Drama - the children are supported to get to the right location and have everything they need.
During Week 2 and 3 of Term 1 Prep students will undergo an intensive swimming program in the lead up to the House Swimming event. Further details will be emailed to families.
Personal Development in Prep
In Prep, important development focuses include skills for taking turns, sharing and caring for equipment, resources and others.
Other development focuses promoted in Prep are:
• Managing impulses
• Cooperating
• Following instructions and rules
• Forming positive relationships
• Taking initiative by asking questions
One of the biggest changes for Prep students is the increased structure and the need to work at a task until completion. You can encourage perseverance at home by completing board games, jigsaw puzzles and reading extended books together.
Home time
At the end of the day, your child needs to pack their bag. This can be quite a task for little hands – fitting in their satchel, library books, lunch box, jumpers and zipping it all up. It is good to practise this at home.
At the end of the day you can boost your child’s positive school experiences by saying – “Tell me three good things that happened today.”
In Term 1 and 2, your Preppie may be tired and emotional. Getting into the new routine of school, meeting new people, learning lots of new instructions and things to remember can be exhausting! We recommend lots of cuddles.
Feel free to contact the Prep teacher via email or in your child’s diary with any queries or messages.
