Primary School place confirmed, any tips for starting school?

[tabby32]

Hi, my son's place has been confirmed and as he's my first, I wondered if anyone has any tips on what to do to help him when he starts? He doesn't seem as advanced as some of the other children in nursery and I don't want him falling behind when he starts school- just want to give him the best start I can. Any advice?

[AMumInScotland]

Focus on the practicalities - can he sort himself out in the toilet, wipe his nose, handle a plate and cutlery or a lunchbox? Can he listen to simple instructions and at least make an attempt to follow them? Can he get in and out of his jacket, and shoes?

If he (and the others) can manage those things, he'll be able to focus on learning the academic stuff from the teacher.

[MrsBungle]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/923884-Getting-your-child-school-ready

This was an excellent thread about just this topic!

[AuntieStella]

There is a lovely post that has appeared in previous years where a helpful MNetter has collated 'top tips'. I'll see if I can find it for you.

As AmuminScotland says, the important things are the general ones:

• being able to go to a strange loo alone and wipe effectively, and wash hands without soaking himself
  
• being able to blow nose unassisted and throw away the tissue
  
• being able to change in and out of PE kit, and remember where he's out the clothes he's not wearing
  
• hanging up a cat
  
• recognising own name tape
  
• being able to carry a loaded tray, or being able to open (and close!) anything you're likely to out in a lunchbox
  
• being able to sit still for a little while, when waiting or listening to a story

[AmandaPayneAteTooMuchChocolate]

Hanging a cat Stella? I never would have thought to teach DD1 that. Thank god MN has set me straight

[2cats2many]

All the teachers I know say that they want reception children to be able to do the following:
Wipe their own bums
Read their own name
Put their coat on
Put their shoes on
Be able to sit still and listen for short periods of time.

Pretty basic stuff really.

Don't worry about the phonics stuff. Your teacher will cover that!

[tabby32]

Will check out the links. Thanks. He can be independent and am encouraging this more and more, just don't want him to be behind before he starts.

[AuntieStella]

A cat in a coat perhaps! Maybe one day I'll get the hang of typing accurately!

[AuntieStella]

The post I remembered from last year is the one by myBOYSareBONKERS at Sat 26-May-12 05:38:47 on this thread.