20/06/2023
School readiness?
Is my child ready for school?
September is fast approaching with many children getting ready to start school. Uniforms are being purchased and the count down is on.
This can be a nerve racking time for so many and we need to make the transition as stress free as gentle as possible.
For parents and child 🥰
Let’s take the focus OFF practicing writing their names whenever possible!( because this is NOT school readiness & it won’t assist a child, on their first day in school)
We understand the pressure parents might feel as their children gets ready to start school, it’s daunting and we want to get them ahead, we want to give them the best possible start.
But focusing on ‘handwriting’ and getting children to practice writing their name, is not necessary in preparation for school!
It won’t matter if a child can recite the alphabet, count to 100 or write their name on the first day of school.
It won’t matter if they know all their letters and you have been primed to sound them out !
▪️Ability to make friends, confident to separate from you, the main carer will make their first day much easier.
▪️Can your child communicate their needs.
▪️Can they open their lunch box independently ?
▪️Get into their snacks, access their drink bottle without asking for help?
Let’s remember, your child won’t know their new teacher ( maybe they’ve only met them on a couple of brief occasions )
So a child maybe nervous or reluctant to ask for help!
So forming letters on a page and having the ability to write their name isn’t going to assist them as they navigate through the school day.
Readiness for school is not academics, it’s a competence, confidence and independence within a child.
Let’s empower children with the skills they WILL need! To be as independent as possible and have the ability to make FRIENDS !
If your child went to nursery or a childminder this is what the practitioners having been helping with all this time.
Ever secretly thought “They are just playing, why aren’t they formally teaching my child?”
Omg! This is the best thing they could of ever done for your child 🙌🏼
Play is the brains favourite way of learning, and Early Years actually goes on until the END of reception year !
So actually your child needs to KEEP on PLAYING. ( even after reception year)
Your child’s setting have been doing an incredible job to prepare your child for school ! 🙌🏼🏆
Children don’t need ‘school readiness’
Schools need new children readiness.
Finally, Did you know starting school in other countries doesn’t begin until a child is 7 & is far more beneficial! 🙌🏼
So let’s relax, enjoy the remainder of this term and the summer ahead
Share this post to anyone who might need to hear these reassuring words ♥️
Here’s some blogs you might like ⬇️
https://www.thecuriosityapproach.com/blog/should-my-child-be-writing-their-name-before-starting-school
https://www.thecuriosityapproach.com/blog/phonics-in-early-years-taking-our-foot-off-the-accelerator
https://www.thecuriosityapproach.com/blog/letter-of-the-week
https://www.thecuriosityapproach.com/blog/happiness-first
