Skip to content

Home

Emotional preparation for the school day

Everyone by now will be saying to your child  "oooo, so you're starting BIG school" and your child will nod back. But they can't yet understand at all what actually happens at Big School.
This section is all about helping them to process this "big thing" they know they are about to experience but don't understand.

Play "schools"

Remember how you used to play "school" when you were little? Now is a wonderful time to revisit that old favourite. If you can rope in another family member such as Dad or Granny to join the game, it's even better.

Start with you being the teacher and ask others to sit on a rug or blanket. Most reception classes use the carpet for teaching time and story time and the desks for individual or group activities. It is easier to hold a group of young children attention this way. Your child might be reluctant, which is where Dad or Granny comes in...your child won't be able to resist Mum and Dad playing school!

So, when they are sitting, praise them for sitting so nicely and not fidgeting. Call out "the register" and ask them to say "Hello Teacher" when their name is called (use your child's new teachers real name if you can) . You could also have story time on the carpet where you read a story and show "the class" the pictures.

Have question and answer times when you ask questions and they have to put their hand up to answer. Make sure you ask questions you know they know the answer to (for example, ask what noises certain animals make). This helps them to understand about putting their hand up and not just calling out. Swap around often, so your child gets to be teacher.

Books and DVD's

Reading books and watch DVD's about starting school is a good way to teach your child about the reality of school life. We particularly like and recommend these:

Books:


Starting School by Allan Ahlberg
Going to School, Usborne First Experiences


I am Absolutely Too Small for School by Lauren Child
Topsy and Tim Go to School by Jean Adamson

DVD's

'My First Day at School'  

Talking

Don't do it in a big fuss "I want to talk about something serious" kind of way, but instead find times when you are snuggling up together to talk about the emotional side of big school. Explain that the teachers are there to help and be their friend and that they can always ask any grown up at school for help.

Explain that the other children will all be new too.

Explain that you will be there every day at the end of the day to talk about things

Tell them that if anything goes wrong, or they are worried, you can always go and speak to the teacher...that you and the teacher are working together to look after your child

Talk about when you were a little girl at school. The friends you made, the things you liked best, the games you played, the teachers you remember fondly. Maybe find a photo of you when you were at school.

Share tips and advice about starting school in our primary school forum

 

Sponsors

Advertise here

Advertise here

Advertise your business
nationally on this page.

Find out more