As 2018 draws to a close, excitement is building for the children who start “big school” in the new year.
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“For children to thrive once they start school, they need to be equipped with some important skills,” Anneka Freckmann, a speech pathologist with Murrumbidgee Local Health District, said.
“We often think about recognising letters and numbers, but may forget to support children to develop their attention, emotional regulation and self-care skills,” Ms Freckmann said.
“Preschool educators have a wealth of knowledge and will be able to help you support your child in this time of transition.”
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Two children who have already made this transition to the life of big-school students are Hazel John and Riley Goldsworthy, who are pupils of Lutheran Primary School Wagga.
Both the six-year-olds had some advice for the youngsters who would be starting school in 2019.
Hazel was keen to pass on some academic tips.
“In mathematics, if you need help, you can use your fingers to get the correct answer,” she said.
Riley had some tips on playground etiquette.
“Be kind to other people and don’t hit other people,” he said.
Ms Freckmann offered parents some tips on things to practice at home to boost school readiness skills.
- Talk about the sounds that letters make, not just letter names. Play ‘I spy’ with letter sounds, such as ‘I spy something that starts with shhh’
- Read books together, talk about the words on the page, the characters and the story.
- Children who have difficulties with speech sounds are at greater risk of literacy difficulties, and may need a speech pathology referral.
- Develop fine motor skills through activities such as craft, threading, drawing, tracing and playdough.
- Have a practice school lunch ‘picnic’ at home where your child practices eating from a lunchbox, opening containers and packing away
- Ensure they are able to toilet themselves independently
- Play board games together to practice turn-taking, rule following and sportsmanshi
- Talk to your child about expectations at school, for example that they will have to listen to the teacher and follow the classroom rules.
- Talk about emotions at home. Name your own emotions to help your child, such as, ‘I feel frustrated because ...’ Develop strategies together, such as ‘When I feel frustrated, I’m going to take three deep breaths’. Practice together when your child is calm, and support them to use the strategies in the heat of the moment.
- Work together to identify the steps in routine tasks (for example at bathtime: turn on the taps, put some soap in, turn off the tap, hop in, wash, get dry, put pyjamas on)
- Attend kindergarten orientation if it is offered at your school. Drive or walk past the school and talk about the new routine
- Talk to your child about expectations at school, for example that they will have to listen to the teacher and follow the classroom rules.
- Talk about emotions at home. Name your own emotions to help your child, such as, ‘I feel frustrated because ...’ Develop strategies together, such as ‘When I feel frustrated, I’m going to take three deep breaths’. Practice together when your child is calm, and support them to use the strategies in the heat of the moment.
- Work together to identify the steps in routine tasks (for example at bathtime: turn on the taps, put some soap in, turn off the tap, hop in, wash, get dry, put pyjamas on)
- Attend kindergarten orientation if it is offered at your school. Drive or walk past the school and talk about the new routine