Building relationships and communicating
At school your child will be meeting lots of new people and make new friendships. Some things to help them get ready include:
Being with others
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- Practicing sharing and taking turns with toys
- Talking to them about how they are feeling and why
- Looking at story books together and speaking about what characters are feeling is a good way to do this
- Beginning to recognise what others are feeling, e.g. understanding if a friend is sad
- Encouraging them to set boundaries for themselves and others (e.g. knowing how to say ‘no')
Communication and language
- Singing along with songs and nursery rhymes
- Talking happily to others about activities, experiences and the world around them
- Showing they need help by speaking clearly (in basic English or sign language)
- Recognising the pattern of their name (so they can find it on their coat peg or jacket)
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Listening and engaging
- Paying attention for short periods of time
- Listening to and following simple instructions
- Carrying on with a task even when it's difficult and bouncing back if things go wrong
Online information and guidance
Building relationships and communicating
- The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s Shaping Us Framework outlines how these skills develop in early childhood
- Top tips for enjoying stories together and book recommendations for starting school - BookTrust
Being with others
- Learn how to support your child to make friends - Family Corner
- Understand your child's social development - Words for Life
- Practice sharing with toys - BBC
Communication and language
- You are your child’s first teacher – help them learn how to write their name - Words for Life
- Explore a range of approaches to language learning and development from NHS Start for Life
- Build your child’s imagination and language by making up stories together - BBC
Listening and engaging