Page 44 - LLWinter17FINALISSU

EducationHELPFUL HINTS FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN STARTINGPRIMARY SCHOOL 2018Starting school is an important moment in every child and parent’s life. Preparing your son or daughter for the start of school will help them settle and get off to a great start.BY KNOX GRAMMAR PREPARATORY SCHOOL’S K-2 COORDINATOR MRS CHRIS GRAYMRS CHRIS GRAY WITH A STUDENTBefore your son or daughterstarts at school:1. Talk to your child abouton a picnic in the backyard or in a park.school and that it isn’t just for a day or a week, you keep going.packing their own bag so that they knows what is in each section.2. Tell your child that they come to school to learn and play. Be positive about school10and learning.3. Drive past the schoolseparating, encourage them to stay with family or a friend. Let your child know you will pick him/her up at a set time and keep your word so that they knows you will collect them.regularly and talk about their new school.of new people, new activities, things will be bewildering and the students work very hard.8time at home to relax and re- energise.94. Encourage your child to use the toilet independently. For boys, access public toilets so he 5knows how to use a urinal.11. Have a set time to read with your son each night7. Teach your child to ride abike – learning how to ride a bike is a great way to learn about persistence and how to bounce 6back.and a set time for bed.When school begins:. See that your child arrivesyour child is tired it is better to say, “You look as if you have had an interesting/tiring/busy/ happy day today”, rather than “what happened at school today?”9. Get your child to practise. If your child has difficulty. At the end of the day when. Make time to go to the parkand use climbing equipment. It is important to develop core strength so that they can sit at a desk for periods of time withoutat school on time – late arrival can be stressful for some children.. Don’t over-commit yourchild. Give them plenty of7tiring.. Give your child simple jobs to do at home – tidy uptoys, make their bed, set the table. Encourage effort and 8independence without a reward.. Purchase lunch boxes and4drink bottles that are easy to open and use. Label them clearly and practise using them44 LIVING LOCAL WINTER 17will be very tired at the end of the day – school is the biggest step taken so far. There are lots123. When preparing food, packfood that is easy to open, easy to eat and not messy. Avoid using plastic wrap and processed food because children find it hard to pull apart. Paper bags are better for the environment too. Food is fuel for the brain.. Say ‘goodbye’ brightlyand cheerfully.. Don’t let your child seeyou upset.. Don’t hang around –they need to learn to be independent.56. Don’t worry if they don’t. Encourage your child byadmiring the work that is brought home.10. Understand that your childeat everything. School is a busy place and there is a lot of fun to enjoy!“Dream, Inspire, Grow”www.livinglocalguide.com.au