-1.png?width=600&height=140&name=The%20Eton%20Academy%20logo%20(1)-1.png "The Eton Academy logo")
Getting your child ready for primary school can be a nerve-wracking experience for parents and children alike. What should you know before your child enters primary school and how can you prepare yourself adequately to help your child ace their first day of school?
Differences Between Kindergarten and Primary School
During your child’s time in kindergarten, lessons are taught through play-based learning in a fun-based environment. Kindergartens offer your child various activities to stimulate and engage his or her mind. There is ample time and flexibility to learn and explore various interests and topics.
On the other hand, primary school focuses on laying the academic foundation of your child’s education through a structured curriculum for a well-rounded learning experience. It provides your child the opportunity to develop language and numeracy skills. Teachers in primary school tend to focus on getting your child to be independent, and allowing him or her to get things done himself or herself.
Prior to Entering Primary School
The skills your child will be learning in their first few months in primary school will set the foundation for their educational journey. Having early exposure and additional support can reduce any unnecessary stress when faced with difficulties in school.
.png?width=701&height=525&name=TEA%20Aug%20Promo%20701%20x%20525%20(45).png)
Reading is a crucial building block in your child’s learning journey, essential for understanding instructions and keeping track of school matters. Help your child pick up reading early by reading storybooks together often, exposing him or her to important vocabulary and language. Reading books that are related to your child’s experiences such as friendships and embarking on a new journey can also help to ease their transition to primary school.
Recommended Books:
- The Invisible Boy by Patrice Barton
- The Marvellous Sugee Cake by Quek Hong Shin
- The Sandwich Swap by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio
Encourage your child’s natural curiosity by allowing them to discover the wonders around them. Subjects such as Mathematics and Science nurture skills in your child such as inquisitiveness, creativity, and perseverance. Exposing your child to these subjects in a fun manner can help your child to be more receptive to learning. Simple daily activities such as adding numbers on the car plates that they see or even simple science experiments can help your child to better connect things they learn in school to their daily lives.
Counting Down
It is common that your child may experience separation anxiety during their first few days of school. It is normal for your child to be reluctant to let go of the sense of familiarity as they step into an entirely new and foreign environment. You can help ease this transition by bringing your child to their future primary school prior to the first day of school. Allowing your child to familiarise themselves with the environment can relieve the tension they feel on their first day of school.
Your child may also feel lost and anxious as they enter a new school without their friends. Acknowledge your child’s feelings and remind them of the ample opportunities for them to meet new people and forge new friendships in their new school. You can even role-play such scenarios, getting them to do self-introductions and make conversations to help them get to know new people.
Here at The Eton Academy, we understand the struggles of parents. We are committed to working hand in hand with you to provide the best learning experience for your child by allowing them to thoroughly explore their capabilities through self-discovery.
Experience a class first-hand to find out more! Sign up for a trial class here.