Supporting Your Children as they Start School
This year is a big milestone in our family our twin boys are starting ‘big school’. It’s an exciting and time, and we’ve been gently preparing them over the past few months without making a big fuss. I know how overwhelming starting school can feel for little ones (and parents!), so I want to share some of the subtle strategies I’ve been using to ease them into this transition. These tips are all about keeping it light, fun, and stress-free while building literacy skills and confidence along the way.
1. Turn Everyday Activities into Learning Opportunities
You don’t need formal lessons to get your kids school-ready, everyday life is full of opportunities to learn.
Sneaky Math Vocabulary practice: Involve your kids in measuring ingredients while cooking, counting objects during tidy-up time, or sorting groceries by size or colour.
Fun literacy learning: Keep a set of magnetic letters on the fridge and use them to explore sounds and rhymes. For example, pick a few letters and brainstorm words that rhyme, like cat, bat and mat. This helps them associate letters with sounds in a playful way.
Story time magic: Reading books together about school or learning boosts vocabulary and sparks excitement about the classroom. The boys have received some of beautiful books about starting school.
2. Play with Purpose
Kids learn so much through play, so why not make it purposeful?
Board games and puzzles: Games like Uno, Scrabble, or memory matching encourage focus, turn-taking, and problem-solving skills. Even if you are playing with older children and the little ones are just using the letters to play or write their own names- it is still good exposure. We love the game, Shopping List, which is great for language acquisition, turn-taking and memory skills.
Pretend play: Set up a ‘school’ scenario where your kids get to be the teacher. This makes the concept of school feel familiar and fun. My husband has been heard asking why their is paper stuck on the windows and walls- it makes more sense when I explain that the twins were playing ‘schools’.
3. Incorporate Fine Motor Skills into Playtime
Starting school involves fine motor tasks, like writing and cutting, so including activities that build these skills is helpful.
Hands-on play: Try activities like threading beads, playing with pegs (hopefully even helping hang the washing) or using play dough to build hand strength.
Wipe-clean books: These are a favourite in our home! They’re a great, low-pressure way to practice letter and number tracing while building confidence.
Painting: I know, I know- it’s messy and it always lands on the parents to clean up but it really is great for the fine motor skills and pincer grip development. If you can handle the mess of full blown painting- credit to you! If you prefer less mess- I’ve found water colours to be a less messy option as well as ‘magic’ paint with water books.
4. Establish Gentle Routines
School days follow a routine, so easing into a rhythm at home can help your kids feel more comfortable.
Bedtime wind-down: A consistent bedtime routine with a story and a set wake-up time will make mornings smoother during the school week.
Afternoon recharge: Afternoons in the park, playing on the swings or kicking a soccer ball will exert that left over physical energy but give children a break from routine and structure. My boys are just so keen to play with their toys when they get home- homework and other structured afternoon routines will come in time when they have settled at school.
5. Positive Conversations About School
Boosting Independence in small steps: Starting school means managing a lot on their own, so building independence early is key. Encourage your kids to practice putting on their shoes, packing their bags, or laying out their clothes the night before.
Talk with excitement: Sprinkle casual, upbeat conversations about school into your day-to-day life. Ask what they are most enjoying or share happy memories from your own school days.
Normalise all feelings: Reassure them that it’s okay to feel a mix of emotions. Some days will be a joy and others will be trickier. Helping kids embrace challenges as opportunities to grow can make the school transition smoother.
Celebrate effort: Praise their persistence in everyday tasks, like completing a puzzle or trying something new. Let them know that making mistakes is part of learning and that they will grow stronger with practice.
Starting school is a huge milestone, and preparing kids doesn’t end once they have entered the school gates. By weaving these subtle strategies into your daily life, you can help your child develop skills and confidence all while keeping it light and fun. I’ve loved seeing my boys’ confidence blossom through these simple ideas, and I hope they bring the same joy to your family!
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