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Original poster

What do kids new to know before starting reception

36 replies

platerspinner · 12/12/2021 21:21

Just doing school options for DS starting next Sept and it got me thinking, what does he definitely need to be able to do for himself by school starting age? He's a Nov baby so older in the year. Obviously he's toilet trained but def needs to practise cleaning himself properly after a poo, does he need to be able to tie shoe laces? Zip up coat? Get fully dressed on his own? Write his name? Use scissors etc?
Id like to use the next 9 months to makes sure he has all the skills he'll need to make his start easiest for him. He's a confident chatty child who makes friends easily so I'm hoping he'll love school as much as he's enjoys nursery.

OP posts:
veryouting2021 · 12/12/2021 21:24

Here's something useful...

fiveminutemum.com/advice-and-tips/starting-school

hmmmm1223 · 12/12/2021 21:26

DSS started in sept this year and they sent out in the reception pack what they expect from the children and it was along the lines of:

To able to go to the toilet on there own
Get changed on their own/do up jacket ect
Take shoes on and off so we stuck to Velcro shoes until can master tying laces!
Sit patiently and listen ie for story time
And to share

There wasn't to much on writing name ect Smile

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 12/12/2021 21:27

Ideally he should be able to do stuff like

  • put his coat on and zip it up
  • get changed into PE kit and back into school uniform
  • go to the toilet and put all his clothing back where it should be and wash his hands
  • if he'll be having school dinner, he'll need to be able to ask for what he wants (usually a very small choice of 2/3 options) and possibly return his tray, that depends on whether they'll be eating in hall or classrooms.

They usually have Velcro rather than laces at that age. No need to be able to do any of the academic stuff although if he can it won't hurt.

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TiggeryBear · 12/12/2021 21:30

Along with the above, being able to recognise their name really helps.

MeredithGreyishblue · 12/12/2021 21:30

Dressing themselves for/after PE (practise with the uniform a few times)
Coats on
Shoes on
Hand washing
Toilet

Exciting times!

MrsSkylerWhite · 12/12/2021 21:33

All of the above plus some don’t dos: bite, hit, snatch, push, etc.

Was surprised with both of our quiet, gentle ones at the erm, “robust” behaviour of some of their classmates.

reluctantbrit · 12/12/2021 21:36

Get himself dressed, zip is good, laces are often difficult as they don't have a lot of fine motor skills but I would think most still have velcro shoes at this age.

Is he comfortable without you, your DH or any close family? Would he ask for help if he needs anything? He will be one of 30 and can't wait until someone discovers a problem.

If you opt for packed lunch, make sure he can opten pots and bottles.

Fine motor skills is the one thing I regret not working on. Playing with playdough, cutting out shapes (a friend did lots of cutting with Christmas cards before they ended in the recycling box), drawing dot-to-dot or colouring books.

Can he sit still for 10 minutes and listen to a story? Can he take turns playing a game?

Writing his name is a good start, recognising it is vital. He most likely will have a peg with his name and it will be all over the classroom. Think about it, 30 identical book bags, lots of jumpers the same colour, identical shoes, PE kit etc.

Knowing the alphabet and numbers is a good start. I wouldn't worry about teaching him anything in advance unless he really shows an interest.

reluctantbrit · 12/12/2021 21:37

Get himself dressed, zip is good, laces are often difficult as they don't have a lot of fine motor skills but I would think most still have velcro shoes at this age.

Is he comfortable without you, your DH or any close family? Would he ask for help if he needs anything? He will be one of 30 and can't wait until someone discovers a problem.

If you opt for packed lunch, make sure he can opten pots and bottles.

Fine motor skills is the one thing I regret not working on. Playing with playdough, cutting out shapes (a friend did lots of cutting with Christmas cards before they ended in the recycling box), drawing dot-to-dot or colouring books.

Can he sit still for 10 minutes and listen to a story? Can he take turns playing a game?

Writing his name is a good start, recognising it is vital. He most likely will have a peg with his name and it will be all over the classroom. Think about it, 30 identical book bags, lots of jumpers the same colour, identical shoes, PE kit etc.

Knowing the alphabet and numbers is a good start. I wouldn't worry about teaching him anything in advance unless he really shows an interest.

EcoCustard · 12/12/2021 22:10

It’s really helpful and good for them if they can dress themselves in their uniform and PE kit, do up their buttons, zips. Open their lunchbox, yoghurts etc or be able to use cutlery if having school dinners. If they can recognise their name, listen, take turns. Practicing their motor skills would benefit, using scissors, threading, playing with playdoh, water painting, stickers all helps with hand control. Our school sent out a pack once we had a place confirmed and if they go to nursery or preschool they will be doing lots of this in preparation.

DuggeeHugPlease · 12/12/2021 22:14

The good thing is since covid a lot of schools do PE kit all day rather than kids having to change at school. I'm really hoping our school continues with it as it must save so much time and means we haven't lost any uniform as yet.

DuggeeHugPlease · 12/12/2021 22:16

I mean - still good to practice getting dressed and particularly shoes / coats / gloves etc but it helps a lot not having to do PE changes at school.

Stompythedinosaur · 12/12/2021 22:58

Yes to getting dressed, doing up his coat and shoes (doesn't have to be laces, but don't send them to school in laced shoes if they can't tie them).

It is helpful if dc can recognise their name but they don't need to be writing their name.

It is mainly the soft skills they need - playing together, sharing, listening to the teacher, knowing to ask for he'll when there is a problem.

Stompythedinosaur · 12/12/2021 22:58

*help

ohidoliketobe · 12/12/2021 23:03

This is a checklist my DDs school send out as part if their induction pack just after school places were released in April. Hope this helps

What do kids new to know before starting reception
Original poster
platerspinner · 12/12/2021 23:38

This is great thank you everyone

OP posts:
Mindgone · 12/12/2021 23:50

Sharing and taking turns. Kindness.

Getoutofbed25 · 12/12/2021 23:59

Other than things above, I would mention, open and close their bag, know if their coat had a loop to put on their peg, get their coat on and if possible zip it. Change their shoes, please stick to velcro for a few years. Open snack pots, crisp bags, perhaps help by opening slightly, put a small cut in a banana so they can peel it. I can have lots of children looking for help with snacks and in Covid times I’m reluctant due to cross contamination especially as many snacks have been sucked on first!

INeedNewShoes · 13/12/2021 00:06

Something I’ve found is important (and wish we'd practised more with DD) is having the confidence to ask for help or to tell the teacher if there's something wrong.

Original poster
platerspinner · 13/12/2021 00:39

His social skills and things like sitting still / sharing / manners are fine due to nursery and playing with our friends children regularaly.
Snack opening is a really good one I hadn't thought of and recognising his name, I know it's on his peg at nursery and he knows the first letter but I'll reach him to know the whole name as I know he also has his picture on his peg at nursery. Will def stick to Velcro shoes too for now!

OP posts:
LethargicActress · 13/12/2021 08:11

It’s also worth practicing putting uniform and PE kit into the PE bag, and putting things into the book bag. Also turning clothes from inside out to the right way round.

JuneOsborne · 13/12/2021 08:17

Our school do have ways of teaching this stuff if your child isn't quite there yet.

My favourite was the cost putting on method. They get the kids to out their coat on by the hood. And then find the arms and out them in! Works a treat.

JuneOsborne · 13/12/2021 08:17

*put

Rainallnight · 13/12/2021 08:47

As well as all of the above, teach him how to wipe his bum! It’s a hard one, but investing the time now will really stand to him. I left it till the summer before Reception when motor skills were a bit better

Waxonwaxoff0 · 13/12/2021 09:13

My DS has only just learned to tie shoes at 8! He just had velcro ones before.

To be honest I didn't think much beyond him being toilet trained.

LethargicActress · 13/12/2021 16:53

My favourite was the cost putting on method. They get the kids to out their coat on by the hood. And then find the arms and out them in! Works a treat.

SO much better than that ridiculous thing some teachers encourage where they put their coat on the floor in front of them and then flip it over their heads Hmm