What do you think children need to be able to do before they start school?

[washngo]

Of course it depends on the child, but if you have school age children, what do you think makes the transition into reception easier for a child? Ability to dress and undress self quickly for PE? Ability to write own name? Does it help if they can recognise their numbers and letters? What would you recommend a parent with a nearly school age child to practise with them?

We haven't 'prepared' for anything.

I don't really think there is anything more most people can do apart from what you do already iyswim.

I'd say all of the above would be really handy tho not essential. All children learn things at different rates. I think plenty of integration with other children on a reg basis is good as many 5 year olds still have issues with turn taking and sharing etc.

To be able to recognise their name (not write it) is useful for drawers coatpegs etc,

it really is the looking after themselves with regard to the loo, doing up buttons and zips, taking a sweatshirt off over the head that is important. Some children can't open their lunchbox or take the lid of their yoghurt.

There are some good old threads about this - it might be worth having a search.

Some frequently recommended things:

• go to an unfamiliar loo alone, wipe and redress
• blow own nose effectively and throw tissue away
• recognise own name (and nametape, if you get one with a pic on it too)
• change shoes, change into and out of PE kit
• hang up coat
• be able to sit where told without wriggling for duration of one story being read out loud
• be able to open own lunchbox and drinks bottle, and the packaging of all items you are likely to put in them OR be able to carry items on a tray with dropping them
• automatically stuff gloves/hat into coat pocket when taking them off

Essentials:
Use the toilet without assistance
Use cutlery/eat lunch
Get dressed and undressed

Good to have:
Recognise their name
Be able to sit quietly and listen for a short period of time

They do not need to be able to do anything in terms of reading or writing before starting reception.

The most useful skills will probably be

Going to the toilet in good time and not having accidents
Taking off and putting on coats, hats and shoes
Listening to grown ups when they speak
Being able to sit still without talking for 5 or 10 minutes

My DS (12 now) had an awful time regarding the loo in Reception. He would ask to go to the loo (for a poo) then come straight back to class. One day he did it 4 times. The teacher told me he must have an upset stomach.

He didn't. He didn't know how to lock himself in the cubicle. He sat down with the door open then some other children came in, so he decided against it.

washngo...I smilled when i saw this and read it....my PFB ds1 is due to start 2ndry school in sept and I am still thinking the same .....how do I get him ready for it

I think for yours and mine it still the same no matter what age...explain as much as you can how it will be(age approprite obviosly !) and enjoy the next exciting developmental mile stone in your childs life.

Mine had their photo on their hook and name so they knew which was theirs(never mind his name /spelling/nimbers make sure he/she knows what they look like ..!!)
If dc has been to nursrey/playgroup they will have had practice in dressing/undressing but if not that for me would be the one to work on..
and as someone said get use to pooing without you.....

letters/words/numbers will come in time with a happy child but the above 2 could end up with an unhappy child who will not learn !!

HTH GOOD LUCK

go to the toilet and wipe their own bottom

I was just about to list everything that QueenEdith said, they are all really important and essential things. Also being able to use cutlery (not necessarily for cutting as that takes time for many children)

I cannot believe the number of children going to school who cannot get dressed/undressed properly and put on and do up their coats. Also if you are going to send your child wearing shoes with laces then they should definitely be able to do them up. When I went to school there were only buckle or lace up shoes really and pretty much all the 4/5 year olds could do laces.

Everything that everyone else has said plus, if they are having school lunch, being able to carry a loaded tray to the table. Some schools have those prison style trays which are a bit easier (although they put me right off lunch) but some still have plates and bowls.

Recognising their name would be good too.

I helped in FS2 class for several years and I would say

Vital:

Ability to dress and undress for PE - especially shoes, tights (send in long socks on PE day!) and pinafores.
Ability to go to loo as needed, wipe bum and wash hands
Ability to deal with packed lunch - yogurts, cling film, juice box etc OR use cutlery to eat school lunch
Happy to separate from mum/dad at start of day

Helpful:
Ability to sit on carpet for short time and pay attention
Ability to share and get on a bit with other children
Ability to make a line and stay in it!
Ability to recognise own name on peg/book bag/coat

Frankly not needed yet:
Reading and writing (beyond maybe own name) and number work. Fine if they can do it tho!

Thanks for all those ideas - i think i'll spend a bit of time practising doing up buttons and zips as dont think ds is that great at those - i usually help him. Shoes are another hit and miss area! I also always take his yoghurt lids off (not sure what happens at preschool - will have to ask them if they help him with his lunch or not). Thanks again to all.

Know how to take turns,share and understand that they are not the centre of the universe!

If he's at preschool already, reception won't be too much different to start with. Just longer hours.

I think all the practical things with day to day coping on their own, managing themselves, eating independently etc.,

It may also be a good idea to do some role playing of schools, so they have an idea of what is going to happen - have your school given you an idea of a 'usual' day?

As for knowledge, my dd started reception being able to write her name, knew most of the single letter sounds and could read simple three letter words i.e. cat, dog, can, me...etc. However, this sort of backfired, because I think she got bored when they went over them in class and switched off a bit, because by the end of Reception, she didn't know much more than she went in with and ended up on a reading recovery programme in Year 1!!!!

If I had a second child, I wouldn't bother doing anything next time, although her nursery had done a fair bit because she was so keen to do it!

She also found the noise quite hard to deal with, my fault again, we don't have the TV on much at home, she is an only child too and therefore if we did something together it was always quiet and conducive to learning, but when she got to school, there was all this racket going on and lots of distractions, she found it extremely hard to 'tune out', so maybe get them used to working with background noise.

It didn't help that they had a c@@p reception teacher, newly qualified, who had no control over the class and basically the children were running riot! (this isn't the norm so don't panic).

Letting them know what is going to happen and the routine is I think the most important thing.

Check they have their knickers on before you take them to school. Not joking - my friend's dd got to school and told her mum she had forgotten to put them on!

Lots of good advice already on here. I teach reception, and for me the important things are:

Can put on own coat, take it off, and hang it on a peg.

Can use toilet, wipe their bottom, and wash their hands. Some children have never seen the sorts of taps where you press the top, and find them confusing. Lots of boys have never seen urinals before, or are spooked when they flush automatically!

Can sit still and fairly quietly for five minutes.

Can listen to adults and other children. Will comply with simple, reasonable requests.

Can dress and undress for PE, and know that they do not need to take ALL their clothes off! Get them shoes with velcro, please, and practise putting them on.

Can manage their own lunch box, yogurt etc, or use cutlery.

Realise they will have to share attention with others, and that saying please and thank you will make life go more happily. Other children generally prefer friendly, polite classmates.

Can recognise their name written down.

Angeleyes46 This made me laugh.... My ds some years ago (yr2) ..while driving to school spotted his P.E bag in car and asked "mummy do i have P.E today"...yes was my answer..why.."oh ...because you didn't give me any pants " !!!!!! I did but they had fallen on the floor by his bed..and therefore didn't look for them !!??? and so was going to school "commando"!!! School had some spares when we got there !!!!!

Hi washngo:

I think clary has it spot on. What you want is someone who can manage in that environment without much help - so the going to the loo on their own (and wiping themselves), washing hands and getting dressed on their own are really crucial. Lunch depends on whether you're going with school dinners or packed lunches - but they will need to handle things like juice cartons, yogurts, milk cartons, etc...

So my advice is over the coming months to work on all those skills.

The other useful tool is to work on waiting your turn (to use something, to speak, to collect something).

HTH

As the others have said its mainly about practical skills (I have a Yr4 and YR child and didn't teach either reading and writing).

I went with velcro shoes as laces are tough and come undone easily.
Being able to sort out the sleeves of your coat if they get turned inside out.
Basic turn taking and sharing (up to a point!).
Listening and following instructions (try two stage instructions e.g. put the toy car in the box then come and sit on the floor here)

As my DSs were taking packed lunches we had a few practice picnics at home and in the park before they started school so they were familiar with their lunch boxes.

My eldest child has just started reception and can do most of the things suggested here. There are some things she can't do, though, like buttons. Seeing her peers being able to do them is one of the greatest learning tools and motivators I have yet come accross.