Your child starting at school

When your child starts school he/she should be able to do the following:

1. Go to the toilet unaided and flush after use.
2. Wash and dry hands.
3. Use a knife, fork and spoon.
4. Remove coat and hang it up.
5. Dress himself / herself and recognise own clothes.
6. Tidy up and clear away toys.
7. Share his / her toys and be prepared to take turns.
8. Use a handkerchief / tissue.
9. Listen to spoken commands and act accordingly.
10. Sit quietly for a time.

Helping your child at home

You can help your child by reading lots of stories and showing him/her pictures.  Talk to your child and teach him/her nursery rhymes and jingles.

Talk about colours, size and shape of things.  Show him/her how to hold a book correctly and which way to turn the pages.  Let him/her see you reading the paper and books.

To be able to write clearly a child must have good control over hand movements.  This can be achieved by allowing your child to scribble and as she/he get older, colouring, tracing and cutting activities help to develop pencil control.

If you are helping your child to write his/her name, use a capital letter only at the beginning of a name e.g. Anthony.  If children learn to write using all capitals it takes a long time to break them out of the habit.  The children are taught that there is a certain way to write each letter, if you are not sure, your child’s teacher will be willing to advise you.

As your child progresses through school, homework will vary in range and tasks.  As well as bringing home reading books, spellings and tables, they will also receive tasks involving Numeracy, Literacy and other curriculum areas.  We would ask all parents to help by discussing and helping with the materials brought home.