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Getting ready to start school
Being School Ready
Starting school is an exciting time but can also be an anxious time for children and parents.
You may be worried that your child won't be school ready or will be behind their peers, but please do not worry! Within any year group starting school we always have children with varying interests, previous experiences and areas that they still need to develop. All children progress at their own level and at their own pace.
To support you in getting your child ready for September we have provided a list of things that it would be helpful for your child to be able to do when they start school:
| To express their needs appropriately e.g. say if they need the toilet, if they are hurt or unwell | Recognise and put on their own coat |
| Use the toilet independently (although we do understand some children will need some support in certain circumstances) | Put their own shoes on (helping your child to identify the correct feet also helps which can be done with stickers inside the shoes) |
| Wash and dry hands | Have a try at dressing themselves (we appreciate that some parts of clothing may be a little tricky and still need some support) |
| Eat their lunch using a knife and fork | Being able to take turns when talking – not talk over someone else |
| Share and take turns | Lose at a game (this might seem a little strange, but many children come to school never having lost at a game due to very kind family members letting them win. It can then come as quite a shock when they get to school and another child wins and some children don't know how to cope with this first experience of losing) |
| Tidy up things they have used | Recognise and read their name (this does not mean they have to be able to write it). |
You will notice that this list does not include anything about writing or counting. Obviously if your child is interested in these things then it is great to encourage them, but we do not expect all children to come into school already reading and writing. However, there are many early skills that can be done now to build a strong foundation for supporting your child for when they do start doing reading, writing and maths.
Click on the links below to other documents that have been created by Hampshire County Council and PACEY with more tips and ideas on ways that you can help prepare your child for starting school in September.