Starting school is a big milestone in your child’s life and it has more to do with your child’s emotions than with their academic ability. This is a time to focus on helping your child understand how they feel and ensure the happiest possible start in this new adventure. Talk to your child about the changes that are about to happen, especially after a long summer with their parents and loved ones:

• Sleeping routine- The end of the summer and start of school is a big change in a child’s daily routine, specially at bed time. Going to bed a little bit earlier each day the week before school starts, will help reinstall your child’s sleeping habit. 
• Be positive- Talk to your child about the positive things about going to school. Share your school memories and your feelings on those first few days. 
• Read- Read books about starting school. Here is a link to some:
• Go for a few walks to the school to show your child the building and how to get there. Let them familiarise themselves with the walk there. This will also help you understand how long it takes you to get there from your house and ensure that the walk to school in the mornings is relaxing and stress-free. 
• If your school has sent you a welcome pack, share this with your child. Read the important bit, such as their teacher and class name. Attending ‘Stay & Play’ sessions or ‘Teddy Bear’ picnics before the summer holiday is also a great way of getting to know your child’s teachers and new environment. 
• Uniform- If your child will wear a uniform, allow your child to practise putting this on and off themselves, if they have to wear shirts it is best to buy short-sleeved ones, as this will make it easier when changing into PE kit and when putting on aprons for messy play activities.
• Labels- Ensure all clothing has your child’s name on it or something that will distinguish their clothing from other children’s and show your child what to look for on their clothing. To help them to distinguish the right shoe from the left draw (in permanent marker) half a smiley face or butterfly outline inside the shoe/plimsoll so that when placed alongside each other they will match up.
• Whilst at home, try to practise and promote social and communication skills with your child (e.g. turn turn-taking, following instructions, listening to a story, participating in activities, finishing tasks, following a routine consistently, sharing etc.). Try to talk to your children about their feelings and support them to express their needs clearly by asking them to tell you what they need more frequently.

Finally, the most important part about starting school is being there for your little one, supporting their new adventure and ensuring that you work together with their teachers for your child’s best emotional and academic start at school. 

Good luck to our youngest learners on their first day of school!