Prepare for Reception Class
How to Prepare for Reception Class
One of life’s greatest challenges is preparing for the day we send our little ones to full-time school. Your mind is most likely racing with questions around how to prepare your child for the first few days/weeks/months of primary school.
We hope this article helps to put your mind at rest as we provide several steps you can take to prepare your daughter for Reception class. Here are some suggestions.
Establish Routines
You likely have many routines in place in your daughter’s life. Now is your chance to establish more of them. Start by setting up a daily routine with fixed times for waking up, meals and bedtime. This will really help once life gets even busier in September. The children will get incredibly tired at first too, so a regular bedtime routine now, is great preparation. Consistency in routines helps children feel secure and organised.
Some tips for establishing routines include:
- Gradual Progress
If your little one isn’t quick to adapt, be patient. Her schedule may evolve slowly. - Allow for some Variety
Don’t worry if the adaptation to a new schedule creates a few days that look a little different than what you expect. Allow for the spontaneity a young child can bring. - Add a bit of Rest Time to the Day
Setting a new schedule will likely be exhausting, so give your daughter a break (and take a break for yourself, too). Remember to allow her to take a little nap when time permits.
Read, Read, Read!
There’s almost nothing more important than reading to your child and sharing a favourite story is a great way to involve in conversation. You may already have found that your daughter loves to listen to the same story over and over again! This is invaluable for helping her to practise how language works…and they often love the anticipation of knowing “what happens next”. Read to them regularly and encourage them to read on their own. Reading boosts vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills, which are essential for academic success. Here are some ways to promote wonderful reading habits in your daughter.
- Read at Bedtime
- Take Trips to the Library
- Let Them Choose
- Create a Reading Nook
- Follow a Summer Reading List
Educational Activities
Engage your daughter in age-appropriate, educational activities that will stimulate her curiosity and creativity. This could include puzzles, building blocks, educational games, and experiments. The library will have numerous resources that will help you discover educational opportunities for your child. Nature is also a wonderful resource. Time spent outdoors will spark curiosity and develop knowledge of the world around us.
Social Skills
Help your daughter develop social skills by arranging playdates, encouraging sharing and cooperation, and teaching her how to communicate effectively with peers and adults. Siblings, cousins, and other relations are wonderful options as well as playgroups, library story time and sports clubs. Socialising with children of a similar age is a perfect way for your daughter to learn early skills in communication, sharing and co-operation. Children learn so much by imitation; they copy and experiment as they develop their own personalities in different situations.
Encouragement and Praise
Cheer her on! This element is more important than you could imagine. Provide positive reinforcement and encouragement for her efforts and achievements. Praise her hard work and perseverance rather than just intelligence or natural talents.
Studies show that children who are encouraged in their pursuits will:
- maintain a higher level of self-confidence
- foster positive peer relationships
- develop problem-solving skills more readily
- sustain a positive parent-child bond
Limit Screen Time
If you haven’t already limited screen time, now is the time. Encourage other activities that promote learning and creativity. Excessive screen time can interfere with sleep and academic performance.
If screen time is already a big part of the day, try limiting it gradually. Replace those screens with books, crafts, and colouring. Before you know it, turning off the telly will come naturally.
Healthy Lifestyle
Ensure your child gets enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engages in physical activities regularly. A healthy lifestyle supports their physical and mental well-being, which is crucial for learning.
Foster Independence
Teach your daughter age-appropriate tasks to foster independence, such as dressing herself, managing their toileting, and trying new food. The children will have lots of support in school however it is a real confidence boost for your daughter if they can already manage some of these skills independently. Once in school, the children will have the opportunity to try out new meals with the wide variety we have on our weekly menus. Trying out new flavours is a good idea at home too, as well as learning to use a knife and fork. They take great pride in learning new skills.
Positive Attitude Towards Learning
Cultivate a positive attitude toward learning by showing enthusiasm for education, celebrating achievements, and demonstrating resilience in the face of challenges. You are giving your child a wonderful gift by enrolling them in The Queen’s School. They will be best equipped to learn when they develop that thirst for knowledge.
The good news is that children have been gifted with a natural curiosity and desire to learn about the world around them. From the moment a child comes into the world, they crave knowledge and information about everything. When you feed that curiosity, you are nurturing a child who is eager to learn and will grow in skills and confidence.
When your daughter begins her education at The Queen’s School, she is taking the first step toward a lifetime of knowledge and empowerment. Our ambition is to instil in our girls a love for learning and the desire for excellence and ambition.
School-life can be one of the greatest adventures a child can have and at The Queen’s School, whenever you join us, we ensure that each individual has the best opportunities, creating a fantastic foundation on which to build their future journey through life!