Preparing Your Child

Parents are asked to take a positive and cheerful approach with the beginner. Try to emphasise that school is a happy, interesting place so that your child will look forward eagerly to the experience.

Encourage your child to be able to do as many of the following as possible:

• Repeat his/her full name and address, when asked.
• Take off, and put on, outer clothing unaided.
• Know how to use a handkerchief/tissue and always have one.
• Visit the toilet independently.
• Know when and how to wash his/her hands.
• Put away playthings and materials after use.
• Follow the safest and most direct route to school.
• Cross a street both with and without a crossing.
• Tie his/her own laces (buckles or velcro are much easier).
• Eat from a lunch-box without surrounding himself/herself with scraps or spilling drink bottles.
• Make sure your child knows the difference between play-lunch and lunch. It helps to wrap them separately.
• Recognise his/her own name on possessions, e.g. clothing, lunch-box, school bag. Print script may be easier.

Warn your child:

• Always come straight home after school.
• To never accompany, or accept inducement from strangers.
• Not to accept a car ride from anyone he/she does not know.
• Not to loiter on the way home.
• Not to visit a friend's home without prior permission.