Supporting Your Child to Step Into Prep in 2023

Starting school is an important and exciting milestone for children and families.  A positive transition to school sets children up for a love of learning. Families play a critical role in supporting their children as they step into Prep. Here are just a few ways that you can help your child to love school and learning.

Boost self-confidence

• Reading stories daily with your child
• Drawing daily
• Engage in conversations with your child every day
• Offering choice
• Playing games
• Playing with other children
• Keeping active and healthy

To build familiarity with the changes ahead, talk about:

• The school’s playground - visit a few times to play
• Meeting new friends
• PE, Music lessons
• Library visits
• Their new teacher/s
• Their classroom
• The routine

Independence is important. Encourage your child to:

• Practise putting on their uniform, shoes and socks
• Toilet without help
• Blow their nose
• Use their school lunchbox and water bottle ahead of time
• Pack their school bag and know where things are
• Discuss how to ask for help from their teacher
• Play a scenario game - “What could you do if your shoelace is untied? What will you do if you drop your lunch?”
• Show them where you have labelled their belongings

Connect with the school:

• Be sure to permission the sharing of the Kindergarten Transition Statement from the Kindergarten to the Prep teacher
• Attend the orientation/transition sessions that your school holds
• Talk to your child’s teacher about your child - their interests and your aspirations for them
• Attend school events whenever you can. Showing an interest in your child’s school is linked to their success