Welcome to Kindergarten!
Your child is about to start “big school” – an exciting step on the ladder of education and an important transition in family life. At Fort Street Public School, we strive to ensure that every new Kindergarten student has a happy and positive beginning to their learning adventure.
Before starting Kindergarten, the most important attributes a child can develop are curiousity, confidence and courtesy
10 top tips to get ready for “big school”
Fort Street’s Kindergarten teachers are ready to give their new students a very warm welcome next year. Here are their top tips for things you can do at home…
- Practice packing a lunch box together and have a picnic. Can your child open everything by themselves? Can they identify which food is for recess and which food is for lunch?
- Can your child use the bathroom independently, including urinals for boys? Skills include locking and unlocking the cubicle door, removing and putting on articles of clothing, wiping themselves, flushing, and washing hands thoroughly.
- Read books together every day. But not just books… read writing in the environment – signs on the street, packets in the supermarket. Can your child “read” the pictures and symbols? Discuss what the pictures might mean and why.
- Count everything. Find lots of fun everyday opportunities to practice numbers together – count cars, fingers, toys, apples, cups, spoons.
- Label all belongings like items of clothing, bags, drink bottles and food containers (including the lids). Label the inside of school shoes.
- Practice physical skills by playing on outdoor equipment in the park, hopping, balancing, skipping and throwing and catching balls.
- Practice fine motor skills with craft activities – cutting pictures out of magazines, folding paper, drawing, painting, playing with Lego, threading beads, sorting buttons.
- Speak to adults. Practice asking for something at a shop or café. Can your child speak loud enough to be heard? Do they try to smile and make eye contact, even if they feel shy?
- Have you bought a school uniform ready for the first day? Practise putting on and taking off the hat, jacket, backpack and school shoes.
- Keep the school informed if your child requires additional support. Consider health concerns, disabilities, learning difficulties, or English as a second language.
Talk positively, but realistically, about all the fun things to look forward to at school. Try not to pass on any anxiety you may have – starting school is often a bigger step for parents than for children!