Top tips for you and your child starting school

Self confidence

• Let your child know they are special, make them feel valued and respected.
• Look and listen to them when they talk to you.

Making friends

• Encourage your child to share and play with other children regularly.
• Encourage and support your child's efforts
• Encourage your child to share and take turns

Communication

• Talk with your child about starting school. What do they think it will be like? What are they most looking forward to? Is there anything they are unsure or worried about?
• Find some regular quiet time and keep listening to your child's feelings about school.
• Sing and listen to nursery rhymes and songs together
• Let your child know their feelings are important and understood

Managing feelings

It is natural for your child to experience a variety of emotions. Reassure and support them by listening, cuddling, responding and staying calm.

Self help skills

Encourage your child to be independent. This includes dressing, eating, laying the table, blowing their nose, going to the toilet and helping themselves to water.

Singing and rhyming

Songs and rhymes help to develop your child's language. Find out about rhyme time at your local library.

Reading

Children love it when you share stories together, it will make it more exciting for your child if you have fun using your voice. You could read labels in shops, stories in bed, signs in the street, ask your library about rhyme time.

Playing and exploring

• Be excited, enthusiastic, curious and confident about discovering new things. Take time to have fun and play regularly with your child.
• Enjoy sharing stories and reading together

Being active

• Be active with your child
• Explore the outdoors with your child - let them look for mini bugs, jump in the puddles and get messy.

Eating well

• Eat with your child and encourage everyone to try different foods
• Children need healthy eating habits to thrive. Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day. A healthy breakfast will set your child up for the day.

Let your child do it themselves

• Find a quiet time to talk with your child about school
• Encourage
• your child to explore and solve problems