 |
|
|
|
| Education & Learning
|
|
|
|
Welcome To The Schoolhouse
Prepare you little learner for school
Starting school can be a nerve-wracking time for both junior and his parents. Fiona Walker, principal director of Julia Gabriel Centre for Learning and Chiltern House, shows you how to prepare your little learner for that red letter day.
By the time a child is between 2 and 3 years old, he or she is ready for a more structured environment where they will develop both socially and cognitively.
In the first few days, the hardest part is saying goodbye. Whatever you do, don’t just tiptoe out when your child is engaged in an activity or playing with a friend, this will erode their trust.
If your child is relaxed and happy and looks forward to school each day, then the foundation is set for them to reach their full potential, academically, socially and emotionally. |
Choosing when to send your child to school is not always an easy decision. However, most parents feel that by the time their child is between 2 and 3 years old, he or she is ready for a more structured environment where they will develop both socially and cognitively.
As the first few weeks in a new school can be quite traumatic for both children and parents, it is important to be well prepared for the first day so that school becomes a positive experience for your child ? something she looks forward to each day.
RIGHT START
A month or two before she starts, talk to your little one about the new school. Reading stories is a good way to introduce discussions about school and there are a number of good storybooks that tackle this topic.
Many kindergartens and childcare centres here have uniforms, so buy the uniform and let her try it on early. As starting school can mean so many new experiences all at once, it may be quite overwhelming for your child. However, if you can help your little one become familiar with various aspects of her school experience, like wearing a new uniform, that will help develop her gain confidence and enhance her ability to cope.
TAKE YOUR PICK
Choosing the right preschool for your child can be challenging for parents. Here is some practical advice to help you make the right choice.
Decide what location you prefer and what your budget is. It is important that the school you choose will comfortably fit into your family’s lifestyle. Once you have narrowed down the possibilities, make arrangements to visit the schools. Many schools will have a similar sounding philosophy, so it is important to know what to look for so you can see if it will work for you and your child.
On your visit, ask yourself: Do the children seem happy? Are they actively engaged in a variety of activities? Is the environment bright, cheerful and filled with children’s art work? Is the equipment plentiful, varied and in good condition? Do the teachers seem happy? Are they engaged with the children? Are they good language models? Are they observant and aware of all the children in their care? Are the children comfortable and affectionate with the teachers?
If you are happy with your first impression then make an appointment to meet the principal. You may consider asking the following questions:
• What are the teachers’ experience and qualifications?
• How important is the child’s social and emotional development, as opposed to the more academic development?
• How does the school ensure the children are prepared for Primary One?
• How does the school deal with children testing boundaries and conflict? This is a normal aspect of young children’s development but it is important that you agree with the schools approach to discipline.
• How does the school ensure safety during pick-up times, outdoor play and field trips?
• How well is the curriculum suited to meet individual learning styles and personalities?
• How involved are parents? What channels of communication between home and school are encouraged? |
We can also help our children settle into the new school by ensuring they are well rested and well fed when they arrive. Many families find the early morning start difficult for their children. If that is likely to be the case, make sure you establish new sleep patterns, with an earlier bedtime a couple of weeks before starting school. We are never at our best when we are tired and hungry and that is especially true for young children.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
In the first few days, the hardest part is saying goodbye. Whatever you do, don’t just tiptoe out when your child is engaged in an activity or playing with a friend, this will erode their trust and they may be inclined to cling even harder. Have a goodbye ritual, which might be a quick high-five, or whisper to her you will see her as soon as class is over. Be calm, firm and confident as you say your goodbye and walk off. Usually, a long drawn-out goodbye is hard on everyone.
It is very important for your child to begin to trust her new school, the teachers and to know that you will be waiting for her as soon as the session is over. Some schools allow parents in for the first week so that your child can enjoy all the activities with you or another caregiver, and be anxiety-free.
This helps her develop a sense of trust in her teachers and become familiar with the routine, so that she can predict what will happen next. With this established, it will be much easier for her to cope when you leave as she is familiar with both the people and the routine.
HEART OF THE MATTER
In the first few weeks of school, do not worry about what your child is learning from the curriculum. What is vital is that she is happy, confident and developing positive relationships with her teachers and making friends.
These areas must be your initial focus when you are settling your child into a new school, whether it is Nursery One, Kindergarten One or Primary One. If your child is relaxed and happy and looks forward to school each day, then the foundation is set for them to reach their full potential, academically, socially and emotionally.
HELP FOR YOU
Resources to help you prepare your child for preschool.
Books to read to your child
• Starting School, by Janet Ahlberg
• Lucy and Tom Go to School, by Shirley Hughes
• Going to School, by Anna Civardi
• Topsy and Tim Start School, by Jean Adamson
• Harry and the Dinosaurs Go to School, by Ian Whybrow
Books for your child
• Ready for Preschool, by Nancy Hertzog
• Preparing Your Child For School: How to Make Sure Your Child Gets Off to a Flying Start, by Helen Likierman |
SCHOOL DAZE
Fiona Walker addresses your starting school queries.
Q How do I deal with separation anxiety, especially in the first few days?
A In the first few weeks, it is quite normal for children to cry when they are dropped off at school. Sometimes, children experience what we call the honeymoon period, where they are really happy for one or two weeks and then refuse to go back! This is not unusual and doesn’t necessarily mean anything negative has happened. The most important thing parents can do to alleviate separation anxiety is to be positive themselves. Make sure you are confident about the move to independent school. If you are feeling unsure and wobbly about this move, your child will cry longer and harder. However, if you are positive and stay firm in your decision that going to Nursery is a great idea, your confidence will reassure your child and she’ll settle more quickly. In short, put on a brave face and speak about all the positive aspects of school. Don’t ask your child how long she cried, instead, ask what she did in the playground.
Q How do I tell my preschooler is stressed in school and what should I do?
A Many children will find the transition to independent school stressful and will react to that. Some children will feel sad, some will be angry and this is normal for a short period of time. The separation can cause distress but children should perk up after 10 or 15 minutes and begin to enjoy the class. If your child shows distress the entire time he is at preschool for more than two weeks, and it shows in his routine at home, either in a loss of appetite or disturbed sleep patterns, you should speak to the class teacher. It could be that he is not emotionally ready to be separated from his primary caregivers. His teachers, after observing your child and discussing your experiences at home and his level of maturity, should be able to advise you. Sometimes, having a caregiver remain in the class for longer will reduce stress and enable your child to begin to enjoy the routine.
Q How do I know if my child is ready for preschool?
A If your child feels comfortable being away from the home and his primary caregivers, you will have a very easy time when he starts school. One indicator of a child’s readiness is his ability to talk. Can he express the need to go to the toilet, to have a drink of water, etc? Another good indicator of a child’s maturity is if he is already toilet-trained. Children who are able to express themselves and are toilet-trained by the time they enter Nursery One tend to settle quickly and enjoy their new environment. Often, children with older siblings who go off to school will be more excited about following in their big brother or sister’s footsteps than first-born children.
Q Why should I send my child to a preschool when I can take her to a variety of enrichment classes?
A Although your daughter may enjoy a variety of enrichment classes, if she attends preschool daily, she will form close friendships with her classmates which are important for social and emotional development. A teacher who works with your child each day will understand her strengths, weaknesses and learning style better than a teacher who sees her for an hour once a week. A good preschool programme should involve a wide variety of activities, including music, speech and drama, Mandarin, art and physical education.
Q As parents, do we need to prepare ourselves for separation?
A Yes, you do! Both parents should think long and hard before making the decision to enrol their child in school. It is important to feel you trust the school. A positive relationship between the school and the home is vital for children to flourish. Once you feel confident you have found the best school for your child, be brave. Starting independent school for the first time is a big step, not only for the child, but also the parents. Often, the tears being shed during those first days are not inside the classroom but outside, over a cup of coffee or tea.
If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg
- Mother & Baby
Grab your latest issue at all major newsstands and bookstores today!
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|