Calling all p1 teachers

[shouldistop]

What are the things you really wish children could do when they start school?
My son is due to start in August and I just want to make sure we at least try to have the important things out of the way first.

Don't worry about academic things, all children learn when they come to school. Read to them, and do their homework and they will be fine.
If they can put their own shoes and coat on, and hold a pencil, I would say that's a good start. I'm in P2 this year, but when the children are tiny and some parents send them with lace up shoes that are impossible for them to do themselves, it makes playtimes much harder to get everyone out!

Oh yeah definitely no lace up shoes! He's getting pretty good with fully dressing and undressing and will hopefully have it down by august. He struggles with buttons and zips etc though.
He absolutely loves numbers and is starting to show an interest in letters but does struggle to hold a pencil properly- he is willing to try now which he wasn't a month ago so I suppose that's start.
I'm slightly worried about his listening skills, although his nursery teachers have said he happily follows the rules etc at nursery so maybe it's just me he ignores sometimes
I feel sad that he will have missed quite a lot of nursery so keen to try to make up for it where I can.

Yes, I agree, academics will come. Lots of running, hopping and jumping to develop those gross motor skills and fine motor skills too. Stories, singing and nursery rhymes and lots of counting in his environment.

Toileting- we will always, always help a child but we need as many as possible to be self sufficient. Can he ask in time, close the door, wipe, flush and wash hands?

Snacks- make sure he can open fiddly pots or bags. If he's having a school lunch, he'll need to carry his tray and use cutlery semi efficiently if not elegantly!

Listening and good manners are very important but they do often do better in nursery/school.

Clothes wise- teach him to put his jumper or hoodie in a safe place if he takes it off and show him where his name is to check it belongs to him when he picks it back up. You can use a sharpie, fancy labels aren't essential (biro can run) but please, please, please label everything.

He'll be well ready OP :)

I'm in nursery and we aim to ensure they can use scissors properly and have a good pencil grip. That's it.

If they can recognise their name - don't need to be able to read per se - that's a bonus