Saving this page to a PDF file.
Chrome
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IE/Edge
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Click 'Print' and you have saved your webpage to a PDF file.
Ready for school
Preparing your child for school is an important milestone in their development.
Every child progresses at their own pace, and it's essential to provide them with the necessary skills and support to ensure a smooth transition. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the key areas to focus on when getting your child ready for school. From independence and self-help skills to communication and physical activity, we've got you covered. Read on to discover practical tips and resources to help your child thrive in the classroom.
Independence and Self-Help Skills
Getting Dressed
- Choose clothes with Velcro or buckles for easier fastening.
- Draw half a smiley face inside each shoe to help with left and right.
- Practise putting on and taking off the school uniform before the first day.
Ready, Steady, Dress activity from PACEY for fun dressing practice.
Ready for Lunch
- Encourage independent eating using a knife and fork.
- Practice eating as a family at the table, including cutting up food.
- Expose your child to a variety of fruits and vegetables for a balanced diet.
Going to the Toilet
- Provide encouragement and praise during toilet training.
- Teach proper wiping and handwashing techniques.
- Consider using non-food rewards, such as stickers, for motivation.
- If constipation is a concern, seek guidance from healthcare professionals.
Staying Healthy
Immunisations
- Keep your child's immunisations up-to-date, including the MMR booster.
- Refer to the helpful timeline of vaccinations for guidance.
Eye Health
- Schedule a free NHS eye test
- Early detection of eye problems can positively impact development and education.
- Recognition of letters or reading skills is not required for eye tests.
Additional Support
If your child has additional needs, seek personalised care plans from health visiting teams. Collaborate with health visiting professionals to set goals and plan activities.
Being a Confident and Happy Child
Five to Thrive Approach
- Engage in the Five to Thrive activities: Respond, Cuddle, Relax, Play, and Talk.
- Support secure attachment and emotional resilience in your child.
Hungry little minds ideas and activities.
Physical Play
- Encourage outdoor play at the park, climbing play equipment, skipping, and kicking a ball.
- Promote interaction with other children to develop social skills.
- Participate in activities together to show interest and encourage creativity.
Discover 10-minute Shake Ups and indoor activities.
Healthy Bedtime Routine
- Establish a consistent bedtime routine to ensure adequate sleep.
- Children aged three to six need 10-12 hours of sleep per night.
- Discover top tips for bedtime and other helpful links.
Book Trust shares tips for a better night's sleep for little ones
Reducing Sitting Time
- Set screen time limits and make bedrooms screen-free zones.
- Encourage active participation in house chores and choose gifts that promote physical play.
- Aim for at least 3 hours (180 minutes) of physical activity spread throughout the day.
Communication
Speaking Skills
- Encourage longer sentences and link ideas together.
- Provide simple choices to practise expressing preferences.
- Engage in conversations during family dinner time.
Small Talk offers more resources on communication
Listening Skills
- Play games involving listening and remembering information.
- Read stories and rhymes together in a quiet environment.
- Establish a bath, book, bed routine for a daily storytime.
- Visit the local library for new books and storytime sessions.
Writing Skills
- Encourage fine motor skills through activities like drawing, painting, and playdough.
- Practice writing and drawing to develop communication and motor skills.
- Engage in new games and activities to promote learning and perseverance.
Skills for Schools from Cbeebies
