Getting your child ready for school
Going to school can be a fun and new adventure. It also brings many changes for your child.
On your child's first day, schools expect children to have key skills. For a full list and simple ideas, please visit the starting reception website.
When a dragon goes to school
Settings, families, and schools in East Sussex can use the book 'When a Dragon Goes to School' to help children to prepare to start school. Its warm, reassuring storyline helps children understand what to expect, while promoting positive routines, friendships, and independence:
Use the dragon story to support your child to be ready
- Teach your child how to flip their coat on The Jacket Flip Hack: Easy as 1-2-3 Leave plenty of time before going out the door so that you and your child don’t feel rushed.
- Little Dragon is well rested for school every day. Establish a bedtime routine so that your child can cope with the length of the school day.
- Spend time tasting different foods with your child so that they are confident to try something different. This will help them to be happy in their lunchtime choices. If your child will be having a packed lunch, include healthy foods and make sure your child can open and close the containers.
- Listen to this song whilst you help your child to brush their teeth for 2 minutes in the morning before school and before bed.
- There are lots of free physical activities on the 50 Things to Do website Explore #24 Hop, Skip and Jump, #29 Pitter Patter, #31 Boing! or #44 Head for the Hills.
- It is important that your child has access to daily physical activity. If they can’t get outside then join Joe Wicks and characters in a short animated workout.
- Help your child to be able to recognise when they are happy, sad, angry, scared, and nervous. Regularly sharing books with your child provides an opportunity to explore these emotions through talking about the characters.
- Use daily activities as opportunities to strengthen little hands. Opening their containers in a lunch box, peeling a banana, putting on their shoes, and using cutlery are all perfect times to practice grip.
- Help your child to learn this dragon counting song as they will be singing it in their new school with their new friends. The song will help them with early number sense as well as listening and attention.
Five dragons flying free, over the land and sea
They like to flap their wings and soar! (flap, flap)
One breathes a flame of fire, then she flies high and higher
That leaves four dragons flying free (flap, flap!)
'Stay and Play' weekly drop-in
Family hubs have free activities for families in East Sussex. A great group for pre-schoolers is our 'Stay and Play' weekly drop-in.
These groups provide a space for your child to practice:
- making friends
- following easy instructions
- taking turns with toys and setting boundaries
- paying attention for a short time
- singing, and role play
To find out days and times, see the ‘Stay and play drop in’ category in Activities and courses
Groups and courses at family hubs
We also offer courses and groups in areas such as:
- Speech and language - check the speech and language category in activities and courses
- Additional needs - SEN specialist ‘Stay and Play’ drop-in groups Check the ‘Additional needs’ category in activities and courses
- Health, exercise and nutrition - check the health, exercise and nutrition category in activities and courses
Online courses
Our online courses and webinars are live events. This means you can ask questions and share your experiences with other parents and carers if you wish.
See the 'Online courses' categories in Activities and courses
Ask us a question in person
Our friendly, trained staff can answer your questions about school readiness at a group you attend or just on an ad hoc basis. Questions might be:
- How to get your children to brush their teeth in a fun way (songs, DJ app)
- How to prepare your child for five days a week, 9am to 3pm, if it's not their normal routine!
- What to practice with your child at home (recognising the shape of their name, for their peg at school)
- Early morning routine.