Hi,
I held my DD back this year from starting Prep as she was nowhere near ready due to a few developmental delays.
I am working with her at home to get her ready, however I am not sure how ready she needs to be.
We have already talked to a school about where they expect children to be at when they start Prep, but I am not sure on where to start and what to work on.
Due to her issues, we are thinking whether an OT will help as well.
Thanks :)
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3 Replies
Holding a pencil. Writing/recognising her name (as best she can). Many kid's writing is illegible, so don't stress, as long as she understands it. Counting to at least 10 - but try for 20. Recognising numbers/letters. Focus more on the sound of the letter, rather than what the letter is called. It's all phonics based learning now. Knowing her colours/shapes. But mostly, don't stress if she's not 100% getting all of this. She will get it. And as long as you help her with things at home after school/on weekends, she'll be fine.. But if you spend the next year working on these things, you'll give her a great start.
Recognising her name, writing her name (messily). Being able to open her lunch and morning tea containers.
Able to do simple line drawing person, house etc (badly). Being able to imitate a simple design like a letter.
Get her as ready as you possibly can.
The more ready she is the easier she will find the transition.
There are lots of things you can work on, or tick off if she can already do:
Sit cross legged on the floor for a period of time
Hold a pencil
Know some letters and numbers
Recognise her name
Tie shoe laces (if she cant buy velcro)
Do zippers on school bags
Open food packaging and know which food is for which time (lots of kids eat all their food at recess and leave nothing for lunch)
Wash their hands
Blow their nose
Put a jumper on and off
Maybe get her eyes and hearing checked to make sure its all fine.
And this may seem a strange one but if you plan on her using the school canteen for iceblocks or treats she would need to learn the very basics of talking to someone and asking for what she wants, and understanding the concept of paying as well (so many children do not understand money needs to be given in exchange for something they want!)