Ministry of Education's 10 tips for getting your child ready for school.
Starting school is an important step in your son's or daughter's life—and yours. It's a big change. It's exciting. It's even a little scary. Here are 10 tips, provided by Ontario's Ministry of Education (2009), that will help you get your child ready for that first day of school.
Starting school is an important step in your son's or daughter's life—and yours. It's a big change. It's exciting. It's even a little scary. Here are 10 tips, provided by Ontario's Ministry of Education (2009), that will help you get your child ready for that first day of school.
- Get familiar with the school. Before the first day of school, visit the school with your child so that the route, the building, and school surroundings become familiar.
- Start the routine early. About a week or so before the start of school, begin putting your child to bed at a normal time for a school night. For a week before school starts, be sure your child then gets up, dressed, and fed like a regular school morning.
- Practise sharing. Give your child all kinds of opportunities to be with other kids, to learn to share, wait, and take turns. That's what school is all about.
- Children should dress themselves. You won't be at school to help your child get ready for the outdoors. Encourage children to practise at home putting on and taking off their own jacket, snow pants, boots, etc.
- Dress your child accordingly. Your child is going to be active at school. Choose clothes and shoes that are comfortable and durable. Give your child outdoor clothing for all types of weather.
- Teach the importance of listening. School means being able to listen. Kids need to understand and practise listening, things like: look at who is talking, don't interrupt, and think about what is being said.
- Learn at home. Include learning in your child's everyday life. For example, a child can practise by reading package labels or weighing produce while shopping. Read to your child. Play word or counting games.
- Develop young muscles. Give your child every opportunity to exercise and develop larger muscles by running, climbing, playing with a ball, etc. Smaller hand muscles can be strengthened with Play-Dough®, pencils, and crayons.
- Set "at home" ground rules. Figure out priorities for after-school activities, homework, chores, TV time, and video games before the first day of school. This will allow you to agree on a schedule and avoid confrontation later on.
- Encourage questions. Give your child the confidence to ask questions in all situations. Let your child know that it's OK to tell the teacher if something is hard to understand.
Once school starts
Ministry of Education (2010) suggests simple ways you can help your child make the most of full-day kindergarten:
For more tips and information, visit the Ministry of Education's website, here. Downloadable information is provided in 15 different languages.
Ministry of Education (2010) suggests simple ways you can help your child make the most of full-day kindergarten:
- Make learning a regular activity in your home. Take time to read and play games with your child.
- Talk to the teacher and early childhood educators other ways you can support your child at home every day. Ask specific questions about what your child learned or did during the day. For example:
- What centres did you work at today (for example, blocks, sand, water, library, dramatic play)? What did you do there?
- You had a special visitor in your class today. Who was it? What did they talk about? What did they bring with them?
- I saw the picture you did hanging on the bulletin board in your classroom. Tell me about how you made it. How did you decide what to draw?
- Show an interest in your child’s learning – ask your child about his or her school day and make school and learning an important part of family conversation.
- Attend information meetings and other events organized for parents and families.
- Speak to your child’s teacher or early childhood educator if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s school experience.
For more tips and information, visit the Ministry of Education's website, here. Downloadable information is provided in 15 different languages.
For references, please click here.