Starting nursery school. Things you need to know.
Before your child starts nursery there are some things that you’ll need to know. If you read my last post, you’ll know that our twins are due to start in September. As such, I’ve been looking for ways to help prepare them for school.
It’s important that your child is independent. Being able to put their own coats on and off, doing up zips, shoes etc will help so that they don’t have to ask a teacher. Obviously if your child needs help, then I’m sure a teacher will be more than happy to help.
I’ve also read that it’s important for your child to be used to spending some time away from you. This is a problem for me as I spend all my time, aside from when I’m not working with my children. I’ve been thinking about putting them into a crèche for an hour so I can go to the gym so that they get used to being away from me and I guess a crèche is kind of like a nursery setting so it would help when they eventually nursery too. I just need to pluck up the courage to do this though!
In terms of things that your child should know such as colours, numbers etc, nothing at this stage is really required as nursery school is more a learning through play environment. I imagine though that having a basic understand of numbers and being able to count, recognise colours and shapes etc will help.
Our girls can count to ten, they know all their colours and between them they know most shapes.
I have been working with them on basic writing skills by using some work books which helps to teach them about pencil control by getting them to draw on dotted lines various lines, zigzags etc. It’s definitely helping.
I’m also planning on starting to teach them phonics too.
Other things that are important to is to ensure that your child can communicate clearly. By being able to tell the teacher when they need to go to the toilet or in answering a question.
Being able to share is important too and being able to listen to instructions from the teacher and carry out activities asked of them.
Do you have any other tips to add to this post? Feel free to share them in the comments below.
12 Comments
Sophie P
February 13, 2015 at 8:37 am
Hopefully M will start nursery in January. I want her to be potty trained by then, fingers crossed. We can do colours, shapes, numbers and some letters. She takes things in so easily! I do need to start letting her have some time away from me too though, like you say! Thank you for hosting, and your girls are so beautiful! xx
Catherine
February 13, 2015 at 9:35 am
Reading picture books about nursery and school is also helpful and can give you opportunities to discuss school with your child. I have some suggestions for starting school books on Story Snug. http://storysnug.com/2014/07/starting-school-picture-books/ and http://storysnug.com/2014/08/starting-school-part-two/
#PoCoLo
Ickle Pickle
February 13, 2015 at 9:48 am
Mummy just filled my forms in for school last week. She is very sad at the thought of me going to school – as am I! But, it's over a year away, thank goodness, so we will both be ready I'm sure. We do go to mother and toddler together, and after half term, mummy is going to try me at the village play school for one morning a week. Love Ickle Pickle x
bettyandthebumps
February 13, 2015 at 1:55 pm
When Gwenn was 18 months we put her in nursery one day a week to help us with childcare but I also think it's great training for "nursery nursery" as I call it 😉 because she'll be used to being in that type of setting with lots of children and without me. x
#pocolo
Caro Davies
February 13, 2015 at 3:14 pm
Aaah mine started nursery in November — they go for 2 long mornings a week and they LOVE it!! They've been put in the 'two's room' — even though they're not two until next month — and being with the older children, having other adults to listen to, other kids to share with and learn from, has been BRILLIANT. The negative is the fact that they catch a new illness every week!! Starting nursery — and again when they start Primary School — plays havoc with a child's body as their immune systems are trying to cope with all these new (and different) germs. Apart from that, starting nursery has been an incredibly positive experience; for them and for me!! 🙂 #PoCoLo
Emma T
February 13, 2015 at 8:21 pm
Is this prep for nursery/preschool or school?
To be honest, apart from getting them used to being away from you (although sometimes they still take a while to settle), and if they're potty trained, then the confidence to tell someone they need to use the toilet is all they really need for nursery school. Yes, getting dressed is good, but they're often only 3 when they go to nursery school, so wouldn't be expected to be able to do so.
My son has been at day nursery since he was a year old, and then 2 days at nursery school as well once he turned nearly 3. He could count to 10 but apart from that had (and still is pretty rubbish at it) no recognition of letters or numbers, not for want of trying, he's just not interested. So personally I wouldn't worry if they're going and can't do that. In my opinion that's why he goes to nursery school, and then school, to know what it's like to be in a (vaguely) learning environment.
I think a brilliant rounded love of play is much more important. Being used to playing and being with other children (which yours will have naturally), being able to communicate their needs, and being able to feed themselves are really the important bits. The rest they'll learn, and probably all the faster for being with others who're learning as well.
Something Crunchy Mummy
February 13, 2015 at 10:27 pm
Great post as the starting of nursery is so daunting, for both child and parent. When Finley started pre school I really didn't have a clue but I'm slowly learning (a lot from him) and from having the confidence in asking other parents x
Laura Powell-Corbett
February 14, 2015 at 2:31 pm
My little one went to nursery at 18 months and the primary reason was to socialise away from me! there are still days he doesn't want to settle and there are days that he doesn't follow the rules (much like at home! ) I've found its done wonders for him and love his independence and fact that nursery does so much more with him!
I've found as he gets older and understands more that talking to him about what he might expect, who he might play with, what he might play with has helped on the drive into nursery!
Laura @ Life with Baby Kicks
Mum in a Nutshell
February 14, 2015 at 8:27 pm
I'd absolutely recommend making sure they can dress / undress themselves. Shoes, buttons zips you name it! I've worked in a school and use to spend the break times helping the littlies get ready to go out to play. Some don't like to ask though
bloggingastrid.com
February 15, 2015 at 3:09 am
Interesting post. I agree that it's particularly important that children can be away from their parents for a while. Good luck on working on that! It's scary for both you and the twins, but I'm sure you'll be successful.
Loving life with little ones
February 17, 2015 at 8:39 pm
My youngest started playgroup in september and will go to preschool this coming september. I think you are doing lots that will really prepare your girls for nursery, they will have each other too so that should help them, it is always tough on mummy though! #pocolo
Victoria Welton
February 19, 2015 at 2:15 pm
These are great tips – preparation definitely helps 🙂 Thank you for linking to #PoCoLo x