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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask for tips for 4yos starting school in September

75 replies

CherryChasingDotMuncher · 11/08/2017 19:27

My DD is starting reception next month, she's more than ready (and very excited) for school, but not sure we are

We've got most things in terms of uniform, bags etc, but what are the best tips for preparing you and your child for school? Only thing I'm really doing is getting her to practice undressing and re-dressing for when she does PE. Thought it would help a lot of parents if we had some good tips from parents who've been there!

OP posts:

Allthebestnamesareused · 11/08/2017 19:29

Have a set place for book bags and pe kits to be left when they are at home so you know where they are in the mornings and don't have to look for them.

Label everything.

Xmasbaby11 · 11/08/2017 19:30

Buy 10 of everything. It will all disappear!

scrivette · 11/08/2017 19:31

A tip for after school, take a snack with you as they always seem to come out hungry.

Also, get everything (clothes etc) ready the night before.

Xmasbaby11 · 11/08/2017 19:31

Write down through names of all the children in the class, and then as you meet parents, add their names to the list.

Sittinginthesun · 11/08/2017 19:32

She'll have a great time! My youngest is going into year 6, and I have loved Primary School.

The usual tips - expect her to be tired. Be ready with a drink and a biscuit when she gets home. Don't overload her after school for a while (my DS1 was fine, but DS2 got very very tired). Don't plan too much for October half term.

Get into the habit of checking her book bag every day. Do not underestimate the amount of letters, parentmails, requests for dressing up days etc. Best to check each day.

pudcat · 11/08/2017 19:34

If she will be having a packed lunch, practise using her lunch box. Also get her used to sitting on the carpet to listen to stories etc.

colacolaaddict · 11/08/2017 19:36

Put girls in socks, not tights, on PE days as they can just leave socks on. My DD prefers to wear trousers on PE days.

If they have the option of taking a playground toy in, encourage it, but nothing too precious.

If there is a class jumper box, check it and lost property regularly. Never expect things to come back by themselves even if clearly named.

upperlimit · 11/08/2017 19:39

It's perfectly normal for them not to be able to tell you anything that happened at school except to describe dessert in minute detail.

Sittinginthesun · 11/08/2017 19:41

upper limit i have one of those.

"How was school?"
"School? I don't know".

Glumglowworm · 11/08/2017 19:41

Best one I saw on another thread was practice undressing and then redressing in the clothes they've taken off and left inside out and in a heap like they will be at school not just neatly folded ones

OhMrBadger · 11/08/2017 19:42

Be loving but businesslike on the first day. Try not to cry in front of her! Avoid asking too many questions as she simply won't remember what she's done that day, what lunch was or who she played with! And on that last point, if she says she hasn't played with anyone that day, it probably isn't true...she just can't remember the names.

LittleOwl153 · 11/08/2017 19:42

Make sure you name everything you would expect to come back with her. Amazing how many people complain their child has lost a jumper - then say it wasn't named!
If you already know some of the parents, from preschool etc try and get a class/year group Facebook page going, include as many parents as you can as they start. Ours us really useful for parties, lost kit, when do they need... etc
If you can have a fresh uniform for every day of the week - or at least fresh tops. They will come home filthy and it takes the pressure off only having to wash (or iron) once a week.
Be on chatting terms with a few parents of slightly older kids. They will give you the heads up over school productions, tickets when your kids group is likely to be the focus of somethign or when they will just make up the numbers - particualry importnant for working parents with limited ability to attend events.

livingthegoodlife · 11/08/2017 19:45

I wouldn't worry too much. I didn't do any prep with my child last year, he did just fine and we didn't lose anything either.

Sounds like she'll be fine - excitement is half the battle.

farfarawayfromhome · 11/08/2017 19:45

Oh my, my three year old starts school in September. This is all useful, thank you!

metalmum15 · 11/08/2017 19:52

Sittinginthesun I have them too.
"What have you done today? "
"Err. ..nothing "
Same response practically every day 😂

metalmum15 · 11/08/2017 19:54

OP be prepared for tiredness and falling asleep in front of the tv before dinner. I find the winter term hardest for all kids, it just seems a very long, dark and busy term.

Maya12 · 11/08/2017 19:56

Be prepared for tiredness - early bedtimes, don't expect much else from them till Xmas, we tried an after school activity but it wasn't a clever idea in addition to usual childminder. A lot of evenings were pickup, snack, run about on playground, dinner, snuggle with story, early bed. He loves school though and going into year 1 is looking forward to making the 'little ones' feel welcome.

And get lots of £5-7 birthday presents when there's a sale on, there were a lot of parties!

mmgirish · 11/08/2017 19:58

Teach her to:
recognise her name/write her name (not in caps)
wipe her own bottom independently
blow/wipe her nose using a tissue
take off/put on shoes

Make sure she can:
open and close her water bottle/lunch box
open and close her schoolbag

early30smum · 11/08/2017 20:01

Practice undressing and dressing herself if they have to change for PE- ours don't. If not, at least practice taking taking shoes and socks on and off, same with coat.

If possible make sure she can recognise her own name and if she's keen, that she can write it too.

Get everything prepared the night before, bag by the door etc.

Read lots of positive stories about going to school.

Be prepared for lots of tiredness and meltdowns as she adjusts- school is very different to nursery even if they've been in day care 12 hours a day!

Keep after school activities to a minimum for the first term until you gauge how tired she is.

Get to know the other parents if you can, and arrange a play date or two after a few weeks if she's keen.

Don't be afraid to give her an earlier dinner than normal- mine are always starving after school!

Good luck!

Chipshopninja · 11/08/2017 20:01

Expect behavior at home to go downhill for a while. Its a big change for them plus they will be exausted.

Label everything

Be prepared for things to go missing/dont get arsey with the teachers when that happens

Dont expect them to remember what they have done and tell you all about it (this was really hard for me because i wanted to know everything.

Be prepared to feel a bit if not very emotional when you drop them off on their first day. I thought i would be fine but i was THAT parent in floods of tears

Seryph · 11/08/2017 20:01

*Teach her to:
recognise her name/write her name (not in caps)
wipe her own bottom independently
blow/wipe her nose using a tissue
take off/put on shoes

Make sure she can:
open and close her water bottle/lunch box
open and close her schoolbag*

This.

Also I second staying calm on the day, please don't make a fuss or cry. It makes it so much harder for the little ones.

Original poster

CherryChasingDotMuncher · 11/08/2017 20:02

Thanks everyone these are fantastic!
Sitting my DD has been going to nursery/pre-school (same place) since she was 1 and ever since she could form sentences I've asked her what she did at nursery today, every single time it's "I don't remember" charming!

OP posts:

early30smum · 11/08/2017 20:02

Oh and make sure she's completely independent in going to the loo, wiping etc. And if she's doing writing, encourage lower case, same for recognising her name except the first letter obviously.

Original poster

CherryChasingDotMuncher · 11/08/2017 20:03

And I've already promised myself that on her first day I will say goodbye once, give her a kiss and then wait til I get back to the car before crying

OP posts:

Bungleboggs · 11/08/2017 20:04

Don't expect her to tell you anything about her day at school. I thought mine would come running out with wonderful stories! But nothing, I did manage to get some info at bedtime though

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