Helping Your Child

Helping your child prepare for school by practising the following things at home will boost your child’s competence and self-confidence in these key areas of development.

SOCIAL INDEPENDENCE

• go to the toilet on his/ her own, use toilet paper, flush the lavatory and wash his/her hands
• share and take turns
• listen to an adult and follow basic instructions
• tidy up toys and books when requested to do so
• play happily with a small group of children of similar age
• cope with lunch without help, e.g. carry a tray, sit down to eat, use a knife and fork, undo a lunch box and the packets inside
• separate from you without becoming unduly upset
• teach and praise good matters

EDUCATIONAL

• listen attentively to a short story
• identify colours and given their names
• correctly name one or two basic shapes
• know his/her name and address (and possibly phone number)
• talk clearly in sentences
• recite a few favourite nursery rhymes
• concentrate on an activity for at least 5 minutes

PHYSICAL

• undo buttons and zips
• untie shoe laces (will probably not be able to tie them yet)
• catch a large ball thrown gently
• use a pair of scissors safely and cur along a straight line
• practise dressing and undressing for P.E. lessons