Everyday things your child can practise before starting school

Starting Reception is a big moment, and most parents have the same niggling worry: is my child actually ready? One minute they're learning to put their shoes on by themselves, and the next you're preparing them for the school run. It's a lot.

The good news is that while there are helpful ways to prepare your child for school, there's no prize for being the most prepared family at the classroom door on day one. What really helps is confidence, curiosity and a few practical skills that make the new routine feel a little less daunting.

This guide breaks down the everyday things children can practise at their own pace to help school feel familiar. No pressure, no academic checklists, no “your child must…” statements. Just realistic tips you can weave into your routines, whether your child goes to nursery or is mostly at home.

You'll also find links to Best Start in Life, which includes helpful information on supporting your child's development in the early years, with clear, NHS-backed advice for parents of children aged 0 to five, plus information on childcare, early learning and finding help in your area.

Forget the myths: what children don’t need to know before starting school

Let's be clear: if your child can already write their name or count to 20, that's fantastic. But if they can't yet, that's completely fine too - these are things they'll learn at school.

Reception teachers are used to children starting at very different points. While it's always helpful to support your child's learning at home, there's no checklist to tick off before day one. Your child doesn't need to:

• Write their name

• Read simple books

• Count to 20

• Sit still for long periods

• Understand phonics

• Recognise shapes, days of the week or planets

• Do worksheets

What matters most is that your child feels safe, understood and ready to have a go. The academic skills will come - and teachers are there to help every child learn, whatever their starting point.

The practical skills that really help children get school-ready

Below are some practical, realistic things you can help your child practise before Reception. You don't have to "teach" them all. Think of them as skills to explore together at home over time.

1. Independence skills

Reception teachers often say that independence is one of the most helpful things children can bring with them.

Using the toilet

Most four-year-olds can make good progress with doing some things independently. Helpful things to practise:

• Going to the toilet independently

• Wiping (as best they can)

• Washing hands

• Pulling trousers up and down

Plenty of children may still need reminders - most teachers expect this.

Getting dressed

Putting clothes on and off helps hugely when it comes to PE days. It's also helpful to spend that extra five minutes before leaving the house allowing your child to do up their buttons or coat themselves.

Things to practise:

• Pulling on a jumper

• Taking off a coat

• Doing and undoing buttons

• Doing up Velcro shoes (Velcro fastenings are helpful!)

• Having a go at zips

Eating and lunchboxes

Reception lunchtimes can be busy. Practise opening things like:

• Lunchboxes

• Yoghurt pots

• Water bottles

• Bananas

Using a fork and spoon is helpful too.

Looking after belongings

Children won’t magically start doing this in September. Practise “find your shoes”, tidying toys or putting a water bottle back in place.

Basic tasks like finding and putting shoes on help when your child is at school

2. Social and emotional skills

School life is full of big feelings. Children don’t need to ‘master’ emotions - they just need some tools to help manage their emotions.

Taking turns and sharing

Games, playdough, a box of cars - anything with a queue or where your child needs to take turns can help. At the playground? Get them to share with other children? Have siblings at home? Practise taking turns with favourite toys.

Asking for help

Many shy or sensitive children struggle with this. Practise phrases like:

• “I need help please”

• “I don’t understand”

• “Can you show me?”

Some children might find it helpful to use other tools, though, like visual prompts. Your child’s Reception teacher can talk to you about this if it may help your child communicate at school.

Managing small upsets

Children won’t be expected to be quiet and calm all the time, but learning:

• Deep breaths

• Counting to three

• Going to a quiet space

These can really help your child manage small daily stresses as they adjust to Reception.

Being away from you

Short, predictable separations - a playgroup, nursery, a trusted neighbour, a relative - can build confidence bit by bit.

3. Communication and listening skills

This is about everyday chat, not formal teaching.

Helpful things to practise include:

• Listening to and following simple instructions

• Answering basic questions (“Who can tell me where we put our water bottles?”)

• Taking turns in conversation

• Expressing and labelling their feelings

• Being able to concentrate for storytime 

Reading stories together and back and forth chats is one of the easiest ways to build language skills. Local libraries are helpful for this.

4. Physical skills

Active play is not just burning energy. It builds strength, balance and coordination for school.

Useful activities include:

• Running, climbing, balancing

• Riding a scooter or balance bike (always with a helmet)

• Throwing and catching

• Playing in the park

For fine motor skills (the ones that later help with pencil grip):

• Stickers

• Crayons

• Construction toys

• Helping in the kitchen (stirring, pouring, peeling satsumas)

• Playdough

• Seeing how fast they can tap each finger tip to their thumb

• Carrying a cup 

5. Early curiosity and problem-solving

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework - which outlines early education requirements for nurseries, childminders and schools to follow - puts curiosity front and centre. Helpful things to practise include:

• Asking questions

• Exploring textures and materials

• Trying new activities

• Sticking at a task for short stretches

• Simple puzzles

This doesn’t need fancy toys. A cardboard box and some crayons will do just fine.

Arm your preschooler with crayons and a cardboard box and let their curiosity show

Low-cost ways to build these essential skills

For many families, early years activities have to fit around tight budgets, shift patterns or other children. You don’t need classes, flashcards or expensive resources.

Here are genuinely helpful, low-cost ideas:

• Local library story sessions

• Parks for physical play

• Letting your child help with simple jobs (“Can you put these socks together?”)

• Practising putting on coats and shoes before leaving the house

• Playgroups or stay-and-plays

• Shared story time in any language spoken at home

• Making a simple routine: snack time, quiet time, tidy-up time

More developmental ideas are on the Best Start in Life school readiness hub where you’ll find quick tips that don’t require buying anything new.

What Mumsnet users say

“I'm a childminder. To be school ready is an independent child who can take on and off their own shoes/coat/hat and look after their belongings. A child who can toilet themselves, feed themselves, ask for what they need. Get along and play with other children. Have some physical skills like zipping their coat, holding a pen, making marks with meaning, catch a ball, ride a trike. Be emotionally ready, leave you without too much upset, play with others, be aware of how they are feeling. Speak in sentences, ask questions and wait their turn to answer. They should be able to sit for 10 minutes or so and listen and enjoy learning new things. If you go to a playgroup on days off and encourage what I'd consider normal preschool things like bikes, playdough, climbing, construction, friendships then all will fall into place.” Shared by polkadot24. 

“[...] While fine motor skills do take time to develop, children should ideally be able to dress and undress themselves (within reason) before starting school. This isn’t about perfection, but basic independence [...]” Shared by Twinkylightsg. 

How childcare can help with school readiness

While not essential, qualified early years professionals at a childcare setting will help children build useful skills like:

• Being around other children

• Managing small conflicts

• Following simple routines

• Communicating with adults who aren’t family

• Practising independence

• Trying new activities

Data shows that at age five, children who had attended early education and care had better cognitive skills, including language, early number concepts and pre-reading, compared with children who did not.

But if your child hasn’t attended childcare, you haven’t “missed the boat”.  Learning at home - chatting, playing, reading, routines – will support their development..

If you’re exploring childcare options, or unsure what might suit your child, the Best Start in Life childcare and early years education pages provide clear explanations of nurseries, childminders and preschools, as well as funding support.

Ask any EYFS teacher and they’ll agree: reading at home has a huge impact on your child’s school readiness

Where to get more support with school readiness

You’re not expected to figure this all out on your own. Helpful places include:

• Your child’s nursery or childminder

• Your health visitor 

• Best Start in Life school readiness hub - confidence, routines and early learning tips

• Best Start in Life childcare and early years education pages - funding and childcare options

• Mumsnet’s primary education forum - real experiences and advice from other parents

If your child has additional needs, your local authority or early years provider can guide you through the support available and help you understand what to expect.

From pregnancy to childcare, find clear, trusted guidance to support your child’s development at BestStartinLife.gov.uk.

About Best Start in Life

The new Best Start in Life parent hub brings together information and support for every stage of your child's early years and beyond. From pregnancy to childcare, get advice and support for your child’s development at BestStartinLife.gov.uk.

It's also where you can: find out about government childcare support schemes, use the childcare support eligibility checker, get details on breakfast clubs and wraparound childcare and learn the key skills your child needs to start Reception.