Educational Resources

‘School Readiness’ means the child has the literacy skills, social skills and independence required for a successful transition to school.

There are many things that a parent or carer can do to prepare a child for school.

Readiness in Literacy

• Regularly reading books to the child, and talking about the content.
• Assist the child to recognise colours in everyday items such as t-shirts
• Visiting a range of places such as museums, the local library, the park and the beach. Talk about the things you saw together.
• Doing activities in the home such as drawing and painting that span for approximately 20 minutes to develop fine motor skills and concentration on a task.
• Help the child recognise his name when it is written down.
• Sing the alphabet song together.

Readiness in Social Interaction

• Visiting the school with the child before beforehand to familiarize with the environment such as where the toilets are,
• how to use the bubblers and where to place items.
• Trying on the uniform.
• Regularly exposing the child with other children to develop skills in making friends, especially with
• children who will also attend the same school.
• Encourage the child to express themselves through singing, dancing and sports like riding a bike
• Teach the child to share and take turns through playing games.

Readiness in Independence

• Develop a routine at home to prepare the child in following school routines such as eating at a specific time, and reading at a specific time.
• If the child still has difficulty with continence (toileting) develop a routine that will support the child in making it to the toilet before an ‘accident’, and pack a spare pair of pants.
• Ensure the child maintains hygiene by practicing washing hands after using the toilet.
• Make sure the child is competent in opening the lunch box and unwrapping all food items by practicing.
• Buy clothing and footwear that the child is able to do up independently.

Other areas

• Check that the child is up-to-date on required vaccinations.
• Do an allergy test to identify if the child has an intolerance or allergy to any foods/pollens. This is important because behavioural issues such as irritability and anger are a common symptom when a child has eaten a product they have an intolerance to. Examples are gluten,antibiotics in milk,lactose,processed sugar, and preservatives.