PREPARING FOR SCHOOL IN 4 EASY STEPS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE FOR YOU & YOUR CHILD By Callan Nickerson

The founding skills Confidence Independence Motivation Cooperation Communication (Dean 2000) (Leber2002) (Buckley 2003) 1. Establishing The Founding Skills

2. Preparing Your Child The Practical Preparation Preparing the school uniform Preparing school equipment Getting your child used to routine Practicing tasks such as: What to do at lunch Where the toilets are Where the classroom is. (www.earlychildhood.org.au)

3.Preparing Your Child The Emotional Preparation Be very supportive of your child Be excited and enthusiastic about school Discuss what school is and highlight the positive & appealing things – making new friends Forster a positive attitude towards learning and school (Social-Emotional Health & School Readiness (2009))

You play a vital role in ensuring your child has a successful preparation for school Get organised: Buy your child’s school uniform early, and practice setting it out, putting it on and taking it off Know what food to provide your child for a healthy meal at lunch and ‘little lunch’ Don’t stress. Your child knows when you are anxious and will associate stress with school Prepare yourself mentally. Be prepared for the separation of you and your child. (Heriot & Beale 2004) 4. Preparing Yourself

Questions... QUESTIONS...

Buckley, B (2003). Childrens Communication Skills: from birth to five years. (p. 17) Dean, J. (2000). Improving Children’s Learning: Effective Teaching in The Primary School. (p.59) Heriot, S & Beale, I. (2004). Is Your Child Ready for School? A Guide for Parents (p. 1-3) Leber, N.J. (2002). Easy Activities for Building Social Skills. (p29) Early Childhood Investment Corporation (19/2/2009). Social-Emotional Health & School Readiness. Retrieved from: http://www.mi.gov/documents/dhs. References