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Starting school should be an
enjoyable, positive experience where children have the opportunity to
make new friends and experience new things.
Helping your child
be ready for school
Below
are a few strategies that can help prepare your child for school. The
tips have been grouped into four categories, however, many of the
activities help develop skills in more than one area.
Social and emotional
competence
Ensure
your child has some regular contact with other children before starting
school. This helps them learn how to make friends.
Introduce games:
- that involve taking turns, such as playing on a swing or jumping on a
trampoline;
- where they have to share or play co-operatively to attain a joint or
an individual goal, such as, sharing coloured pencils or building a
sandcastle;
- of chance where children can learn to lose gracefully, such as board
games like snakes and ladders.
Encourage them to come up with a fair solution if conflict arises. Sit
down with them and help them sort through the conflict.
Make
them aware of rules and the reasons for having them, such as crossing
the road only when the 'green person' walks.
Use
positive labels to help build their self-esteem, such as 'helpful',
'kind', 'responsible', 'grown-up' and avoid using negative ones. Refer
to negative behaviour in terms of the event. "That wasn't a very
sensible thing to do" labels the act rather than the personality.
If
your child sees you being kind and helpful to your family and friends,
they will learn from your behaviour. If you are often angry and solve
conflict by shouting or being aggressive, they are also likely to
imitate this way of responding.
Notice
if your child does something well. Behaviour is more likely to change
with praise than punishment.
During the
first few weeks, in particular, it's important that you ask questions
about their day to encourage them to talk about school at home.
Language
Talk
to your child, ask them questions and listen to what they have to say.
Help
them learn to follow simple instructions. Ask them to do things that
will help you as well, such as getting food out of the fridge. Make sure
to thank them so they feel appreciated.
Read
to your child. Children are better readers when they have been
read to a lot by their parents.
Physical and motor
development
Make
sure your child is well rested and has a balanced diet.
Play
games together, such as kicking a ball, obstacle courses, skipping and
hopping games.
Limit
TV viewing.
Involve your child in a sport they enjoy, for example, join a kinder gym
or little athletics club, play soccer or join a ballet class.
Children are
more likely to cope successfully with the transition to school if
they've had positive experiences away from their home and familiar
adults.
General knowledge
and skills
Teach
your child to dress themselves, tie shoe laces, use velcro or buckles.
Make
sure they can go to the toilet by themselves.
Teach
them to write their name.
Visit museums,
galleries, the beach, the park, go for walks and see friends.
If you have any
other questions about your child starting school, please don't hesitate
to ask other parents you will meet or ask our Principal, Anne Stewart or
Deputy Principal, Glynis Bridgwood.
Enrolment
As
soon as you decide your child is ready for school, feel free to come to
the school and introduce yourself and your child. Enrolment forms are
available at the school office for you to take home and complete.
The
Department of Education requires the following information:
Family
contact and mailing details
Emergency contact details
Father
/ Guardian details (residing at the same address)
Mother
/ Guardian details (residing at the same address)
Student details
Medical details
Other
parent/s not residing at home
Sibling names
Documents required:
Birth
Certificate or identity documents
Transfer Certificate (if transferring from another NSW Department of
Education school)
Immunisation Certificate
Court
Order (if applicable)
In
addition, if your child is not an Australian citizen, you will need to
provide:
Passport or travel documentation
Current visa and previous visas (if applicable)
In
addition, if your child is a temporary visa holder:
Authority to Enrol
As an
initial step in introducing your child to our school, we ask you to
bring them along to our "Kindergarten
Orientation Mornings". During these visits they will be able to visit
the Kindergarten classroom and library and participate in a variety of
activities. The Principal takes the opportunity to meet with you and
other parents to talk about the transition of your child to school and
answer any questions you may have.
We
look forward to meeting you and hope you will very quickly feel part of
our school community.
Our"
Kindergarten Orientation Mornings"
are an opportunity for your child to spend some time at school and get
to know other children who will be in Kindergarten at Cherrybrook PS in
2008.
Phone 9481
8575 for details.
Health tips for your child starting school
Emotional and Social development
Say goodbye to your child calmly. It is common to have separation
problems at first. Be on time to collect your child after school.
Before starting school play games where your child doesn't always
win and there is a small amount of teasing.
Regressive behaviour (e.g. bed wetting, thumb sucking, wanting to
be dressed and fed) is normal when children start school: don't worry.
Encourage your child's curiosity by asking questions and by
encouraging questions in return, talk about experiences.
Your child may communicate little about his/her day's activities at
school. You can learn much by just observing your child's play and
listening to their stories.
Encourage your child to read. It is important your child also sees
you reading and writing. Children learn by your example.
Give your child simple jobs to do at home e.g. setting the table,
picking up after play.
Your child may develop many friendships in their first year at
school. Boys have a new friend depending on the current game they are
playing and girls have a new best friend every day.
The ill child
Teachers need to be aware of any medical conditions or disabilities
your child may have e.g. asthma, diabetes, allergies. Children with
asthma, and allergies requiring epipens: ensure the school has a
management plan that is updated every 12 months or after each hospital
admission.
All children starting Kindergarten are required to provide a record
of their immunisation status. Think about chickenpox immunisation for
your child.
If your child has an infectious disease they are to stay at
home for the recommended period.
If your child is unwell they will recuperate quicker if at
home.
Identify emergency backup for childcare in the event your
child is ill or injured.
Head lice are particularly prevalent in Spring and Autumn. They are
spread by direct contact and they love all children. Check your child's
head regularly for small eggs about the size of a grain of salt glued to
the base of hair shafts. Apply a recommended treatment and notify your
child's teacher. Tie your child's hair up or keep it very short.
Don't forget a visit to the dentist with your child prior to
starting school and yearly throughout your child's schooling.
Nutrition
Good nutrition will have a positive impact on your child's
learning.
Breakfast should be nutritional e.g. Wheat biscuit, yogurt, toast
and a piece of fruit. Turn off the TV in the mornings.
Pack small, healthy, substantial foods for school that are easy to
eat throughout the school day. Encourage your child to have a healthy
morning tea. Practice unwrapping school lunches and opening lunchboxes
at home prior to starting school. Have an early dinner or a nutritional
snack after school.
Don't forget to encourage your child to drink water. Not only is it
healthy, but also readily available both at the bubbler and in a
recyclable container.
Don't forget to volunteer for the canteen. Your child will love to
see you at the school.
Toileting and self help skills
Encourage your child to wipe his/her own bottom and use the toilet
independently.
Parents need to have a positive attitude towards using public and
school toilets to ensure their children use the toilet as required
throughout the school day.
Encourage your child's independence with dressing e.g. tying their
shoelaces, removing their jumper, buttoning their shirt/uniform.
Have a male in the family demonstrate to little boys how to stand
at the urinal.
Encourage your child to wash and dry their hands after toileting,
after blowing their nose and before eating.
Encourage your child to blow his/her own nose using a tissue or a
handkerchief.
Clearly label all your child's clothes and belongings with his/her
name.
Activity
Turn off the TV after school and visit your local park, swings,
slippery dip, play equipment. Play with balls, water, sand etc.
Exercise with your child. Physical activity is very important for
children and adults. It helps to prevent obesity. Don't forget to wear
sunscreen and a hat when outdoors.
Encourage your child to participate in school activities throughout
their schooling.
Positive attitude from parents re schooling and
teachers
Be positive about your child's school, learning and teacher.
Talk with your child about school, focus on the positive aspects.
Parental involvement in school activities provides children with a
sense of belonging.
Don't forget to take care of yourself e.g. meet with your friends
the first day of school.
Don't believe all stories your child tells you. Always check with
your child's teacher.
Be prepared for your child to take 1-2 terms to adjust to school.
Safety
Practice the safest route to and from school, crossing the road
safely, travelling by public transport. If driving, park in the safest
place.
Remember parents are role models. It is better to promote safety.
Sleep
Tiredness is to be expected when your child starts school, so
establish a routine of early to bed.
Have 'time out' after school. Your child will learn through free
play.
Limit the additional extra curricular activities after school for
the first year.
Children with special needs
Children with potential difficulties need additional assistance
during the transition stage when starting school.
Specialist advice and support is available to parents of children
with special needs in accessing appropriate educational services. Talk
to the school as early as possible about access to these services.
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