Published at 11:08, Friday, 19 June 2009

Parents may think there is plenty of time ahead and tend to leave thinking about settling their children into school until after the summer holidays.

However if you haven’t already thought about meeting teachers and visiting classrooms now, then the first day could be more difficult than you thought. Try to arrange this before the holidays to allow time to plan and prepare for school with your child. And there are things you can do over the summer to help your child be ready for reception. When they start school, you may feel very anxious that they will be unhappy, not make friends, or enjoy school life. New people, rules and relationships can be exciting and scary.

Your actions will guide your child’s emotions. If you approach this new experience with confidence, use positive words about school and give loving attention, they will feel less anxious.

Many parents think their child must be able to read and write before they start school, but it isn’t necessary. It is helpful if they can recognise their name, and maybe even write it, to help them find their coat hook or other personal items, but they will soon be taught that so don’t worry. Many places use pictures or photographs to help children learn where to put things to begin with.

As far as learning is concerned, there is a list of the skills that the government thinks children should be learning when they start school though it is important to remember that children learn at different stages and in different ways. There are six broad areas of learning: personal, social and emotional development; communication, language and literacy; mathematical development; knowledge and understanding of the world; physical development; and creative development.

Many children can’t wait to start school, though even the most confident four-year-old can find the whole thing a little overwhelming.

Here are some steps you can take over the coming weeks to help your child breeze through the first day.

Help develop skills they need to be independent, such as using the toilet and dressing themselves;

Get storybooks from the library about starting school;

The week before they start school, get your child used to the times they need to get up in the mornings;

Tell the school about any special needs, likes or worries;

Find out more about the school – look around the classroom, toilets and playground so you know what they are doing and can talk about it;

Decide who is taking your child to school on their first day so they can know what will happen on the morning;

If the school has an evening for new parents go and find out more;

If you are worried, have someone to talk to – it is normal to have worries.

On the first day saying goodbye can be emotional. Smile and reassure your child that you’ll be there to collect them later. Even distressed children settle very quickly once you’re gone, so make your leave loving but quick. Most schools will understand if you want to phone later to check that they are settled.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk