Things to know before starting school?

Ok so it's a year away, i have a fair idea and have started doing a few things, but what other things can youthink of that children need to know before starting school, or might be an advantage for them to know. So far, i have been working on Paris with:

Knowing her full name and families names (also important in case of getting lost) - which she really has down-packed so now its moved on to address.

Recognising her own name, and she can pretty much write it, is getting there. we get P a and r very clearly, just gets a bit lost after that.

Knowing sounds of letters, which she is pretty good with, some better than others.

Her alphabet - is learning letter recognition, can write some letters, but apparently she will never use any word with the letter m because it's too hard to write, lol!

Simple adding, ie 1 + 1 etc

Grouping, by colour, or size, or colour and size, or shape etc.

Making sure she can go toilet etc by herself and work various fastenings on clothes, and how to pick appropriate clothes from her daycare bag if she has an accident to get herself changed.

Put on own shoes etc - again she can do this it's just getting some on and off sometimes she gets annoyed with (solution i spose is not to put her in those types of ones for school.)

and we have just started working on making sure she can open packets etc, peel own mandarins.. all the stuff she needs to know for actually being able to open stuff in her lunch!

Is there anything else I have missed that could be an advantage? I don't want to be pushy, am taking things slowly and just giving opportunities for her to do things herself, but would like her to get a good start, she's a brainy chickie but isn't the most confident in herself or in asking for help so i would like to give her a few more tools to make the trasition easier when she goes.




Edited by mum2paris

My niece had a few school visits before she started, to help her settle in. Starting school was very exciting for her. Your list sounds very thorough Janine - talk to the teachers if you have any other concerns. I'm sure there will be kids a lot less capable than Paris starting.

Kiya had a huge argument with a future classmate on one of her school visits - they were putting alphabet magnets onto a board, and Kiya (who knew the alphabet already) had it right then the other girl corrected it and swapped a few around. Kiya got most indignant, as she knew she'd done it right the first time but the other girl kept saying "You're just at kindy, I'm the school kid, I know better". The teacher had to step in and quietly point out Kiya was right.

I talked to the teacher afterwards, and she said Kiya (who was at a similar stage to where you want Paris) was more prepared for school than most children. The norm, apparently, is being able to recognise their written name and at least attempt to write it; knowing the alphabet song and understanding the connection to letters/writing; and recognising basic patterns involving colours and shapes. Also being able to toilet themselves, and dress themselves as appropriate (eg: jackets, socks and shoes)

I'm a new entrant teacher (well, was!!!) and the most valuable things to me are that they view school as a fun place, so maybe a few visits to the school play ground before you start; recognising and writing their name (and NOT in capitals as most kindys etc seem to teach them); toileting; and having good manners.

The 'learning' bit will come. Of course it's a bonus if they know the alphabet sounds and numbers etc but it's not a major if they don't, they soon pick it up. Most things like that are pretty much drummed into the kids on a daily basis thru songs etc once they get to school anyway.

bump....