The first day at school can feel nerve racking but it can be hugely exciting too - both for children and parents. It’s all down to how you prepare your child for that moment they walk into reception for the first time.
David Barker is headteacher at The Oaklands Primary School in Acocks Green so he has lots of experience in seeing children arrive on their first day. We invited him onto the Brummie Mummies podcast to talk about what skills families should try to develop over the summer before starting school and what to do on that very first morning.
And he identified four key skills he believes give children a head start in their school lives. He stresses that they are not essential as all children develop at different rates but that they give children confidence and pride if they can do them.
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"Starting school is a huge milestone for parents and children and we all want it to be a positive and exciting experience for everyone involved," said David, "It's something that only happens once so we want it to be the best, most memorable experience for children and parents so talk positively about school and get children excited, curious and wanting to go.
"Early years teams are very hands-on and very skilled in what they do, and they are ready to help your child get used to day-to-day tasks. But children will feel more confident and proud if they are more prepared and self-sufficient to be independent learners, and there are some things parents can be doing at home over the summer to get them ready for that."
Listen to David's tips for starting school on the Brummie Mummies Podcast here
Four ways to prepare your child for starting school
David said: "One thing is using the bathroom. It's a natural thing that accidents do happen but it can sometimes lead to a bit of embarrassment or children feeling a little bit upset. So helping your child get used to removing their layers, especially a school uniform that they're not used to wearing, wiping themselves, flushing the toilet and washing their hands will really help your child to feel the independence that they need.
"Getting dressed is a big one. We often find children struggle with the zips and buttons on their coats. In early years, children tend to be in and out all the time so they're going to want their coat on and off, so get your child used to doing that. It's the same with shoes too. Velcro shoes are best for reception children.
"Eating and drinking is another one. For many children, this will be their first experience of eating away from their parents so being able to use cutlery really helps. It gets them used to using those fine motor skills as well which, later on, help with writing. Drinking from an open cup is something children sometimes struggle with so getting them used to that is an advantage.
"And the other one is asking for help. Staff in early years are very skilled in identifying children's needs and talking to children but if children have the confidence to say 'I need help' or 'I'm not sure' or 'Can you help me with this?' that really helps children become those independent learners we want them to be."
Listen to more of David's advice, where he talks about pencil control, reading, counting and developing concentration, on our Brummie Mummies Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. He also talks about how to help a child who is nervous about starting school.
We have lots of episodes on everything from settling into nursery to how to make the most of parents' evenings. Why not subscribe to keep updated on school news and tips?
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