Tips from teachers please!

[NickNacks]

My dd will be five when she starts school and whilst this is fab, I worry that I might 'waste' that extra year. I know she will be compared to her actual age rather than her peers so will need to be established in some of her learning. She very keen and I wouldn't push her unwillingly.

I have older children (and I'm a CM) so i know skills such as personal care, listening, not interrupting are all key, but what actual learning and techniques would you expect of a 5yr old.

Thanks

Please don't worry. The teacher will not be thinking. Little Nicky is 5 so should be able to do x.

No harm in preparing her for school but don't worry that she'll be older than some of her peers. It makes no difference. If you are keen to do things with her I would help her learn to love books (lots of lovely library visits etc). Maybe help her know what the numbers 1-10 or 1-20 look like so she can recognise them. Lots of nice counting songs e.g. 5 little speckled frogs, 10 green bottles etc.

Writing her name would be useful but not essential - the same for recognising her name.

Recognising some letters would also be great but not essential. Ditto for the 4 main shapes.

Personal care e.g. toiletting herself, putting on own coat and fastening it and being able to get changed for PE is important (even when clothes have got muddled and inside out).

Please don't worry. Some children will start knowing none of these things. Some will start knowing all these things and will be able to read and write. it is definitely not important to be established in her learning by 5 years old. She's still very young.

Wot she said. Plus board games - getting used to rolling a dice and counting on. Invaluable.

Oooo yes definitely board games too.

Taking turns. Sitting still when asked to do so. Doing up her own buttons and even helping others ro do theirs. Putting her hand up and waiting to be asked. Changing into her PE kit on her own. Recognising her own gloves and hat. Opening her own lunch box and putting everything back in when she has finished eating. Skills invaluable to teachers. Please don't push her to 'achieve' academically. In most European countries she wouldn't even be involved in formal learning.

Thank you all very much.

Don't get me wrong I don't want to push her academically, I think the other skills such as personal care, social niceties and basic knowledge is far more important. I'm glad you agree. I was just worried that when she got to school they'd think 'wow she's 5 and they haven't even started on phonics or similar.