Read MNers tips for supporting your children when starting primary school

[EllieMumsnet]

This activity has now closed

Starting primary school is a major milestone for your child, and making that jump from nursery school to primary school isn’t always easy. From making new friends to getting used to the school routine, the changes your child has to adapt to can spark both excitement and anxiety. With this in mind, Tiny Popwant to hear from you about the ways you will make or have made the transition to starting school as smooth as possible.

Here’s what Tiny Pop have to say: “Here at Tiny Pop we recognise what an exciting, yet scary, emotional and challenging time it can be when one of your little ones starts their primary school journey. We think it’s the perfect time for parents to come together and join forces to share the best tips and tricks to support little ones and the wider family as this big change takes place. Tiny Pop is here for you to support you in your new hectic routines whether it’s 10 minutes in front of Super Wings in our Wakey, Wakey segment whilst mums and dads get dressed or some much needed down time at the end of a busy day for Yeti Tales in Cuddle Time on Tiny Pop. We are here for you with old friends and new!”

What are your top tips in preparing your child for starting school? How do you make sure your child gets enough sleep with all the excitement and anxiety in the days and weeks leading up to starting school? Maybe you’ve got a special way to relax and calm them down, or maybe you’ve got some lunchbox and uniform hacks to keep the morning school-run as stress-free as possible?

All who share their tips for supporting their little ones when starting school for the first time will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 vouchers (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Mornings:
Toilet, teeth, dressed (except for jumpers and cardigans), hair, then downstairs to put the kettle on and give them breakfast. I make the sandwiches for lunchboxes, fill water bottles and make coffee while they are eating. No TV in the mornings otherwise breakfast can take an hour. Jumpers on after breakfast to hide any mishaps.

After school: Show an interest in their day but don't push it. Shoes and coats off and by the door for the morning. Toilet and change, then a quick snack. Check bookbags for books and messages, and refill lunchbox with non perishables. We'll read any books that have come home (I use this time to practice sounding words out) and then do a little colouring, build with Lego or play a game. They help prepare dinner in the kitchen and then I allow a little screen time while I cook. No screens after this. Any remaining time after dinner is for playing with toys or in the garden while it's still light enough.

Bedtime: bath, pyjamas, a drink, toilet, teeth, story and a chat (usually this is when we hear about the day). Kisses, cuddles, sleep.

Fridays: everything washed, dried, ironed and hung ready for next week.

Meal times are family time. Weekdays are kept activity-free for now, we have an activity and a visit with grandparents on Saturdays, and Sundays are family days where we all do something together (park, watch a film or go out for the day). Nit-check every Sunday evening at bath time.

Over the weekend we'll also find 15 minutes for numbers, phonics and practicing writing letters.

Car journeys, around the home, and out and about we practice basic words and phrases in Welsh (we'll say "diolch" in the shops for example, or use greetings as we pass familiar faces in the street).

We've gone from having a lot of time together to what feels like hardly any time at all, so if I have to do something mundane in the time we have, I usually sing nursery rhymes or something so we're still connecting.

And no matter how busy I am, I always have time for a cuddle, or to tend to a scraped knee for the fifth time that day.

Try and get them there early in the mornings, gives them time to get themselves sorted out and really helps them settle

We've found it really helpful having the kids in the nursery attached to the school for their pre-school year. They do the transition well, meaning the kids are used to being in the school building, so it's all familiar when they actually start. I realise that's not possible for everyone, but it's worked well for us.

I home ed my children now, but I used to be so shocked at how tired my kids were, so we made sure that they did what they wanted with their time after school so they could relax, have fun and just be a kid! x

I think it's good if you can try to get them used to a school type environment before they go to 'proper school'. If there is a local nursery, playgroup or mums & tots meet up in the local library, try to take the time to take your little one along. I completely understand that many mums work full time and can't go along to these meet ups, but if possible, get grandparents, friends or childminders involved. Not only will the idea of starting school not be such a big deal for the new starter, but often the friends they have made at these sessions are also beginning their school life at the same time.

I would say involve them in the buying of uniforms/ lunch bag etc and talk about it. Ultimately it is more a big deal for the parents - the kids usually just get on with it!

Don't build up excitement over it and treat it as a normal thing. Friends from pre school will be going too and my son's pre school is part of the primary school, so no real change of journey or venue. Let them pick their ownnew bag and lunch box so they feel in charge.

Talking about school before they go is good, getting everything ready is key. I walked by at play time and my little boy was fine he was laughing with his friends i was so relieved.

Talk to your kids, make things sound normal, not a big deal. when they are watching any kids programme about school talk to them tell that that their day will come and its part of growing up. It just takes the fear and edge off things when the day comes.

My school wrote a story book about starting school which they give out to new students before they start in Reception. We read it every night for a couple of weeks before the start of school and it was really helpful as it familiarised us with the school routine etc.

Make sure they can manage their own coat and shoes.

Organising everything and talking through the routine. Not getting over excited about it or overly emotional so they don't get anxious. Always showing a positive attitude towards it, even if you're sad they're getting older.

I would say not to make a huge fuss about starting school. The parents are normally more anxious than the child. Definitely a treat for the child after the first week too.

Reading stories about starting school are a good way to get them used to the idea.
Get everything ready the night before so you can be as relaxed as possible in the morning.

I find out another child in their year and set up a play date or 2. Worked great for both my kids. Also gave packed lunch so they feel they can eat even with being nervous. Met them at end of day with a choc or sweet. (Something to look forward to)😊

My little boy has been quite upset about going to school, I try to stay positive and definitely don't show my emotions in front of him. We make plans on what fun things we can do after school which helps.

Relax! Don't make it into a big deal for your little one. I have made a start on reading and writing with my children before they started but only in a fun, no pressure way!

Be positive about it and reassure them if they're nervous, but without making a big deal of it.

I just tried not to let him see that I was worried. I played up how fun it was going to be and how great it was going to be to see all his friends from nursery. I was very lucky that he always loved nursery and school so we didn't have any dramas; but I don't think we'll have it so easy with our second!!

It's good to prepare in advance and talk through what's going to happen so that it isn't a total shock. Getting school uniform in plenty of time so my DDs could get used to it helped make them feel more 'grown up'. It did get easier with my 2nd DD because I knew the school. It is worth getting the teacher to make a home visit if your child is very nervous though, as it helps with their transition.

I found explaining to my son that all children were also just beginning there was helpful. I think it made him feel more at ease knowing he wasn’t alone! We were always so enthusiastic about him starting school
too, which I think added to his excitement! :)

I had twins and one settled in really well and one didn't, certainly early nights help as they get so tired and i also mad a point of casually chatting to the staff so the kids could see a warm atmosphere and relationship between me and the people who looked after them all day.
Most of all helping them practise things at home so its not such a big deal in class and lots and lots of praise, this worked well for us.

Thanks for all your comments and congratulations to @SeekingShade for winning the voucher!

Be extra positive about the school and keep everything relaxed