If your child is starting primary school soon, you may be unsure as to what they should already know. Here is advice from Educational Lecturer at Norland College, Claire Burgess, on what your child needs to know before starting Primary School
Does my child need to write their own name?
Your child doesn’t need to write his or her own name before starting school. It is important to remember that children learn at different speeds. Most children are able to hold a pen or pencil confidently before they start Reception class, and some pupils can form letters and numbers, but very few will be able to fully write their own name.
Does my child need to get him or herself dressed for PE or sport activities?
Children should be able to get themselves dressed and undressed before starting school. This includes putting on shoes and putting on their coat. However, don’t worry as there will always be staff around who can help. There are some simple ways to help your child if they are not quite independently dressing before they start school, for example; you could allow your daughter to wear trousers rather than tights, as tights can be tricky to get on and off! Velcro fastening shoes and trainers are also a great idea if your child is not quite tying their own shoe laces, and avoiding tricky fasteners like belts can also speed up the dressing process. Try to encourage your child to dress and undress at home as much as you can - this is an environment where they can practice whilst feeling secure.
Does my child need to be able to go to the toilet independently?
Your child will need to be able to go to the toilet, which includes any wiping and flushing, by themselves, before they start school and you should also show them how to wash their hands after going to the toilet. There will of course be teachers and assistants around for them to ask if there is a problem, but generally children are expected to be able to go to the toilet by themselves.
Should my child be able to read?
Children really do learn at different stages and there may be some children who can read and write their letters. But realistically children are not expected to know their alphabet, numbers or read any words before starting school, so don’t panic! The teachers will have their own way of teaching your child and they have lots of time in the coming years to master these areas.
Should my child know how to use a knife and fork and feed themselves?
If your child is going to be having school cooked dinners then they would be expected to be able to use a knife and fork, cut up their own food and feed themselves at lunchtime. Your child may be expected to queue up at mealtimes to choose their own lunch so it might be worth chatting this process through with your child before they start school. In most schools, the very youngest children will eat their lunch first, and the older children will eat afterwards. There will be support on hand for child in the form of dinner ladies, but the more you can prepare them, the better!
