How Do I Support My Child's Transition to School?
Starting school is a big but exciting change for children and parents. Ensuring that children are equipped with skills to support their learning will help set them up for a successful transition to school.
Here are some simple activities that you can do with your child to help develop their communication skills prior to them starting school:
- Read picture books regularly
Reading picture books regularly with your child will help them develop their love of reading, early literacy skills, vocabulary and listening skills. While reading with your child, engage them by talking to them about the parts of the book (such as the cover, the words and the pictures), letting them flip the book the right way round and turn the pages, asking them questions about the characters and the story and discussing any words that may be new for them.
- Build your child’s sound awareness
When your child starts school, they will begin learning to spell and read. You can help your child get ready to begin developing their literacy skills by supporting them to understand that words are made up of sounds. You can practise skills such as identifying rhyming words, counting syllables/beats in words and identifying the first sound in words. Games such as “I Spy Something that Begins with _” can be useful. Remember to use the letter sound rather than the name (what we say when saying the alphabet).
- Play following instructions games
Your child will be expected to follow various instructions throughout the day in the classroom. Help get them ready by getting them to practise following longer instructions that have more than one part (e.g. “take off your shoes, hang your bag up and wash your hands”). Playing following instruction games such as “Simon Says” can make practice even more fun.
- Organise play dates
Play dates are a great opportunity for your child to practise their social skills such as turn taking and sharing. Try to give specific praise to help your child understand expected behaviours when interacting with other children (e.g. “I like the way you waited for your friend to have his turn”). This will help your child get ready to meet their classmates and make new friends when they start school.
If you have any questions regarding your child’s school readiness skills, please feel free to call and discuss these with Speak & Write.
