Preparation for Reception

[dilys4trevor]

I've just realized today that DS1 is now less than 6 months off from starting Reception. Kind of crept up on us!

I'm sorry if this thread has been done a 100 times, but I wondered if anyone has any tips for stuff I should be doing with him over the next 6 months to get him 'ready.'

In terms of writing and numbers etc I reckon he is fine for his age (he turned 4 in December), so I mean more stuff like wiping his own bum (he does it at nursery but it's hit and miss), dressing himself (again, hit and miss but not bad). Are there other things? And are there any tips on reading and writing whilst I am here? I am just figuring that reading with him every night and making sure he can reco and write his own name is probably enough. He gets annoyed when I try and coax him to write or read words for himself so I've dropped it and simply read to him.

Thanks if you have any tips!

[Lonecatwithkitten]

DD was complimented at the end of the first term of reception for
Being able to herself to the toilet
Being able to put her own shoes on
Being able to change including putting her coat on by herself
Being able to sit quietly on the carpet and listen to the teacher
Being able to play nicely with other children
The teacher described her to me as bring the best prepared child for reception and this was in a class where large numbers of children were early readers ( DD could only read her name).

[MajaBiene]

Being able to use the toilet independently
Being able to feed himself with cutlery/drink from an open cup/open packaging in his packed lunch
Sit quietly and listen for short periods
Follow instructions
Dress and undress

Recognising his own name is helpful too.

[noramum]

I wouldn't worry about reading and writing. Read to him and as long as he is able to recognise his name that should be fine. Latter makes it easier for him to find his things in a pile of 30 identical or nearly identical bags, coats, shoes, uniform items, bottles etc.

Being able to sit still, take turns, listen to instructions and concentrate on a task. Easy to practice by playing boardgames and doing puzzles.

[dilys4trevor]

Great, thank you. That sounds like stuff he can do or at least will be able to get better at in the next 6-9 months. You do hear so much from the competitive mum brigade about how kids need to have a sport at 4 (we don't do any organised classes because I don't think he would like it) in prep for school or about how their kids are learning violin or how their children can get dressed in full and draw amazing pictures etc! Good to know that teachers don't actually expect any of that gubbins

[loopsngeorge]

you've reminded me that i need to get on and start looking at some of these things with my DD. At least I should escape the intensive bottom wiping training that I had to do with DS!
Agree with the other posters - it's these sorts of things that will make everything easier for them first of all.

[Hedgepig]

If you are thinking of having you DC having school dinners being able to carry a tray with some food and a drink on it. This never crossed my mind until I went into lunch with DS1 when he was in reception .

[littlemissbunny]

I asked the reception teacher and she said not to worry about learning letters and numbers as they teach them that.

The things she said would be useful were getting dressed and undressed themselves and doing up coats are really useful, but not to worry if they can't, as they soon learn when the others are doing it.

Also if having a packed lunch being able to open things themselves helps too.

So it's more about practical things really.