The time has come for your child to start school! This is, of course, a joyous occasion for both you and your child. To ensure the transition from kindergarten to school is as smooth as possible, your child needs to be school-ready.
The time has come for your child to start school! This is, of course, a joyous occasion for both you and your child. To ensure the transition from kindergarten to school is as smooth as possible, your child needs to be school-ready.
School readiness encompasses physical and psychological preparedness, which in turn is divided into intellectual, emotional-volitional, and personal (socio-communicative) aspects.
Physical readiness implies that the child is physically developed enough for their age to cope with school demands. Various exercises, sports activities, and active games contribute to this.
Psychological readiness implies that the child has a motivation for learning (i.e., a desire to acquire new knowledge), as well as domestic, behavioural, and intellectual skills.
A child's intellectual readiness for school is formed by a certain stock of knowledge, curiosity, the presence of different types of thinking (imaginative, logical), sensory development, sufficient speech skills, good memory, a broad outlook, imagination, and an understanding of basic patterns.
Emotional-volitional readiness for school implies that the child is capable of completing the teacher's tasks, even if they are not to their liking. They know how to adhere to routines (daily and school), set goals for themselves, develop plans to achieve them, and consequently pursue them, even if obstacles arise.
Personal readiness for school is the ability to communicate, work in a team, assert one's opinion (when dealing with peers), and also find compromise when necessary, and obey (in communication with the teacher).
School is a new stage in your child's life, and our recommendations will help avoid potential problems in the new environment and foster a love for school life.
Support your child's aspiration to become a student. Your sincere interest in their school affairs and concerns will help the first-grader confirm the significance of their new status and activities.
· It is very important to prepare the future student psychologically. You should tell them that school is interesting, that they will learn well there, and that they will have many friends.
· Discuss with the child the rules and norms they will encounter at school. Explain their necessity and expediency. Provide them with specific information about how school life is organised: "At school, there are lessons and breaks. During lessons, children learn; during breaks, they play, talk, and prepare for the next lesson. During lessons, they answer the teacher's questions, etc.".
· Create a daily routine together with the first-grader and ensure it is followed.
· If they encounter difficulties or struggles in the initial stage of acquiring learning skills, help them, tell them that you believe in them, and that everything will work out, thereby fostering self-confidence in the child.
· Support the first-grader in their desire to achieve success. In every piece of work, be sure to find something to praise them for. Remember that praise and emotional support ("Well done!", "You did so well!") can significantly enhance intellectual achievements.
· Promote the development of friendly relationships with peers: if difficulties arise in relationships, investigate the cause and help to resolve them.
· Avoid excessive workloads (multiple clubs, sections, and other activities).
· Continuously expand and enrich their individual experience: the more diverse a child's experience, the more varied their activities, and the more grounds for active independent actions.
· With the start of school, another authoritative figure will appear in your child's life – the teacher. Respect the first-grader's opinion of them.
· If you are concerned about the child's behaviour or academic progress, do not hesitate to seek advice and consultation from the teacher or school psychologist.
A child should enjoy learning and every
A parent can help make the school a favourite!
Good luck to you and your children!