How can I help my Child?

Don’t make too big a deal about starting school as this can make children anxious. It helps if you prepare your child coming up to the first day, for example letting your child choose their clothes for the first day/choose their schoolbag/pencil case/lunch etc.

Put your child’s name on all items of clothing and equipment

Please practice the following-

Putting on coats, fastening jackets, opening and closing zips, bottle, school bags, lunch boxes and pencil cases. This can help when choosing bags etc in the shops.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHILD CAN TIE LACES/VELCRO

Don’t hang around the first week. It only makes it harder for you and your child. Remember it is a valuable part of your parenting skills that you have developed your child to be independent enough to go to school. Give your child a hug and let them go into the school. If there are any concerns we will contact you.

Read regularly with your child and bring them to the local library.  A love of books is something we strongly try to encourage.

Limit the amount of time that your child spends watching television or playing games on electronic devices. Try to ensure that your child does not watch television in the morning if possible before coming to school.

Count with your child, for example when walking up steps etc.

Encourage your child to talk. Ask them about their day and friends. Don’t be surprised if they say they did nothing in school as often they don’t realise that they are learning! Early oral language development has a strong impact on a child’s reading ability.

Colouring and scribbling are very important in the development of handwriting and their motor skills.

Play helps a child develop motor skills, oral language skills, visual discrimination skills and vocabulary. Play also encourages children’s social skills in order to establish friendships.

Ensure that your child goes to bed early. Children really should be in bed by/before eight o’ clock on school nights. Tired children cannot concentrate.  Even though your child has probably been in crèche/playschool, they will find primary school very tiring so may need a nap for the first while.

Try not to compare your child to other children.  Some children take time settling into new environments and when they do they thrive.  Your child is unique and will excel in different areas compared to others. Some children take longer to settle into academic work and after a while will excel.

Don’t compare boys to girls if you have both as they tend to learn differently-for example many boys dislike colouring but will prefer lessons with concrete materials, although this is not the same for all. Children should play games and be involved in drama in Infant classes. We do not have ’boy’ games or ‘girl’ games and we encourage children to play all games at this level.

Speak to other parents.  We are so lucky in Belmayne with the fantastic, positive, supportive parents we have.  We don’t know what we would do without their support for lots of our initiatives.  Become involved in school life!

Remember, schools are happy and fun places!  We all love working here in Belmayne and want to create a happy and fun experience for your child, ourselves and parents.  Your child will have fun, be safe and enjoy school.  Children learn long term social skills at school that will impact on their adult life.