When your child starts school would be helpful if they could
• get dressed independently
• independently use the toilet and wash their hands
• use a knife and fork
• use scissors safely
• take turns
• recognise their name
• hold a pencil correctly
• recognise some numbers
You can help your child develop these skills by
• giving them opportunities to practise putting their uniform on and off.
• buying shoes with Velcro, rather than laces.
• encouraging them to independently use the toilet and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards.
• sitting at a table for meal times and encouraging your child to independently cut up their own food
• playing games where they need to wait their turn.
• labelling all their school clothes and showing your child their labels so they recognise their name in them.
• modelling holding a pencil and writing your child’s name on pictures or work they have produced.
• pointing out numbers you see when you are out and about (e.g. on a bus, door or price tag).
• reading to them and discussing what has been read.