How to prepare a child for school?

[HannahKortt]

Hi to everyone! I am a very young mother, and I haven’t yet had much experience at parenting ... So I am very worried, if something goes wrong, but I still want the best for my son.
So, soon my child will go to primary school, and I don’t know yet how best to prepare him for it? Before that, he was only homeschooled, and he hasn’t a lot of experience in dealing with other children, which I am very worried about! Should he have any preparatory courses? How much money is needed?

How old is your dc? You don't need to be spending money on getting ready for school courses, but some extra curricular clubs might be a good idea

Are you in the UK? And how old is

Are you in the UK? And how old is your son?

Money-wise it'll depend on whether you need primary or secondary school, and whether you're looking at state or private.

In terms of prep, again it'll depend on age.

Yes, I moved to the UK not so long ago) Now my son is 5 years old

I think the best things to do are

Read to him every day
Do activities that use his fine motor skills like play doe and threading
Encourage him to get dressed by himself
Give him plenty of unpressured practise at zipping up his coat, taking his jumper off and on
Get together with his future classmates sometimes there will be Facebook group that organises this

So is your son going into Year 1? Is this state school or private?

Could you tell me about curricular clubs? Maybe some specific subjects are important, I live in the UK only for a few months

Yes, Year 1) Our school is state, if I'm not mistaken

Make sure he can wipe his bum and can go to the toilet independently.

Make sure he can put his coat on.

Make sure he can eat with a knife and fork.

And make sure he knows that he has to go back again after the first day. So many children think they only have to do the first day

Have You spoken to the school? You are entering him into year 2, because most will have been there since reception. Have they any ideas? Will he meet the teacher before? Donkeys years ago with ds1, Our school does a home visit! The teacher visits every child, i their home. (Not sure they even do that now!) But both my ds1 and ds2 couldn't wait to get there. Have you spoken to ds - is he excited and looking forward to it?

You really don't need to worry about clubs or things like that.

Cost-wise, it's uniform. Which does vary massively-the school will let you know what you need. Most you can get from supermarkets or similar. School will ask for money for non uniform days, school trips (probably once a year, was under £10 this year for my 5 year old) and other fundraising bits. A lot isn't compulsory, but does make a big difference to the school because they're always short on money.

Read to him.
Get him recognising his own name written down.
Toilet and wiping his own bottom.
Dressing himself.

If you're able, counting and recognising numbers.

At that age he'll be able to slip right in no bother 😊

As for the clubs, school with usually let you know what's on in the first few weeks.

Thanks a lot! Could you also give advice on which subjects should be taken more carefully? I'm very worried if suddenly he won't be in time for something and he will feel uncomfortable ...

So far, we are not very good with numbers, could you advise something?

You really don’t need to worry about this, the school will highlight any issues and support you. But he is probably fine! Just make sure he can use the toilet, use a knife and fork, get himself dressed and can write his name. And please don’t worry

I wouldn't worry about academic stuff, more independence, so:

• Going to the toilet fully independently
• Putting on and taking off his own coat, shoes (velcro), jumper etc
• Listening
• Sitting still
• Turn taking

If you are worried about his numbers, try simple counting songs, the 10 Little Dinosaurs type books, counting things as you go through the day etc. Don't make it into a big deal.

Thanks a lot! I just even thought about finding a tutor cause of worrying too much😅

You have some good advice here, something I would add is to try and encourage him to be responsible for his own possessions. So for him to know that if he goes in to school in the morning with a jumper, coat, a bag and a water bottle he needs to come out of school with all of those things as well! As far as academics are concerned, I wouldn't worry – just let him settle in and after a couple of months after have a chat with the teacher about how he's getting on, and if there are any further ways you can support him at home

In numeracy terms, at the end of reception a child would be expected to count reliably to 20 and add and subtract single digit numbers, as well as halving and doubling. Presumably he can do that if you've been home-schooling him. Times tables etc are what they start to learn in Yr 1. He might not be behind at all.

There are loads of games on the CBeebies web site that target the early learning goals.

www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zhtcvk7/articles/znc9vk7?collection=starting-school-curation

this is a nice game about some of the school routines- maybe a way to talk to him about what school will be like.

also, reassure him- everyone feels nervous when they start- he will soon get the hange of it.